"Devoted to destruction". A case of human sacrifice in Leviticus 27?

Abstract

This article reflects on Leviticus 27:28–29 and the possible relation of this text to the practice of human sacrifice in ancient Israel. The article provides an overview of the current state of the debate on human and child sacrifices, before focusing on Leviticus 27. With regard to this chapter, it is argued that, although added later, it forms a suitable conclusion to the book of Leviticus. The chapter is analysed as a whole before the article focuses on verses 28 and 29. The article concludes that these verses are very vague about what is taking place, and that this vagueness was probably deliberate.