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.
He must not replace it or exchange it—whether trading a good animal for a bad one, or a bad one for a good one. But if he does exchange one animal for another, then both the original animal and the replacement will be considered holy.
This verse is saying that when someone dedicates an animal to God, they can't take it back or swap it out—and if they try to make a trade anyway, God gets both animals.
📚 Historical Context
This verse is part of the laws about vows and dedications to God in ancient Israel. When someone promised an animal to the Lord (often for sacrifice or temple service), it became sacred property that couldn't be casually exchanged. These rules protected the integrity of religious promises and prevented people from giving God their worst animals while keeping the best for themselves.
Ask the AI Assistant
Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.