Old Testament
Leviticus 27:10
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
He must not alter or replace it, neither a good one for a bad one nor a bad one for a good one. If he does exchange one animal for another, both the original and the substitute shall be holy.
Compare translations
He shall not alter it, nor change it, a good for a bad, or a bad for a good: and if he shall at all change beast for beast, then it and the exchange thereof shall be holy.
What Leviticus 27:10 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In Leviticus 27:10, the instruction is clear about the sanctity of offerings made to God. When someone dedicates an animal to the Lord, they cannot swap it for another, whether the replacement is better or worse. This rule emphasizes the importance of keeping one's commitments and honoring what has been set apart for God. If a person does decide to exchange the animal, both the original and the new one must be treated as holy. This reflects the seriousness of vows and the need for integrity in our promises to God. The underlying principle is that once something is dedicated to God, it should be respected and not taken lightly. This teaches us about the value of our commitments and the importance of maintaining our integrity in our dealings, especially in spiritual matters.
How to apply Leviticus 27:10 to your life
This verse encourages us to honor our commitments, especially those made to God. In our daily lives, we should strive to keep our promises and be truthful in our dealings. This integrity builds trust and reflects our faithfulness to God and others.
Curated for this public verse page. Leviticus Summary
Explore more of the Bible
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.

Illustrated scene from Ruth's story: Three Widows (Ruth 1:1–5)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Ruth

Photo: Zeev Stein / PikiWiki Israel, via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY 2.5. Source. Location: Tel Beer Sheva National Park, Israel. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Beersheba
Where Abraham and Isaac dug wells and worshiped the LORD, at the southern edge of the land.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Leviticus 27:10
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Leviticus 27:10
Related Bible verses
Key themes
Related topics
At a Glance — the Book of Leviticus
- Author
- Traditionally attributed to Moses
- Written
- Around 1400 BC
- Genre
- Law (Pentateuch)
- Original Audience
- The Israelites in the wilderness
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Leviticus 27:10 mean?
Leviticus 27:10 emphasizes that when someone dedicates an animal to God, they cannot swap it for another, regardless of whether the new animal is better or worse. This highlights the importance of honoring commitments made to God.
What is the significance of holiness in Leviticus 27:10?
In Leviticus 27:10, holiness signifies that both the original and any exchanged animal must be treated with respect and reverence. This reflects the seriousness of vows made to God and the need to maintain integrity in our commitments.
How does Leviticus 27:10 relate to personal integrity?
Leviticus 27:10 relates to personal integrity by teaching that we should honor our commitments and promises, especially those made to God. It encourages us to be truthful and reliable in our dealings.
What lessons can we learn from Leviticus 27:10?
From Leviticus 27:10, we learn the importance of keeping our promises and respecting what we dedicate to God. It teaches us about the value of integrity and the seriousness of our commitments.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.