1. Leviticus 27:28 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

What is the first implication of something being devoted to the Lord?

Leviticus 27:28 (ESV)

28 “But no devoted thing that a man devotes to the LORD, of anything that he has, whether man or beast, or of his inherited field, shall be sold or redeemed; every devoted thing is most holy to the LORD.

When something is devoted to the Lord, it is strictly set apart for use in the sanctuary; it cannot be redeemed or sold. According to Ross, the basic idea of the Hebrew word [ḥērěm] is that the person or thing was devoted to God; it could either be sanctified for use in his service or utterly destroyed. But it was banned from possession or use by humans.1