He shall not search whether it be good or bad, neither shall he change it: and if he change it at all, then both it, and the change thereof, shall be holy; it shall not be redeemed. Leviticus 27:33 (KJV)
Leviticus 27:33 belongs to the tithe regulations recorded in the third chapter of Leviticus, a section that deals with mandatory offerings to the Lord. The passage specifically addresses the tithe of herd or flock animals. Under this law the tenth animal that passed under the rod was to be presented as the tithe without any selection, inspection, or exchange by the owner. The text commands that the tither “shall not search whether it be good or bad, neither shall he change it.” If an exchange were made, the law declares that both the original animal and the substituted one become holy, and neither may be redeemed.
This strict requirement underscores the sacred character of the tithe. By prohibiting the tither from examining the animal’s quality or substituting it, the regulation emphasizes complete obedience to divine instruction and the recognition that the offering belongs wholly to God. The holiness attached to both the original and any exchanged animal illustrates that once an offering is set apart, it cannot be reclaimed or altered for personal benefit.
Although the ceremonial laws of Leviticus were given to ancient Israel for a particular covenantal context, the underlying principle of faithfulness in meeting obligations to God retains relevance for believers today. The passage calls believers to honor their commitments to God with integrity, avoiding the temptation to manipulate or improve what has been pledged. In doing so, the heart of the law points beyond the specific animal tithe to a broader call for sincere, unqualified devotion in all areas of worship and service.
