Leviticus 25:1

Translations

Modern

Then the LORD said to Moses on Mount Sinai,

Traditional

And the Lord spake unto Moses in mount Sinai, saying,

Literal

And YHWH spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai, saying,

Latin

Locutusque est Dominus ad Moysen in monte Sinai, dicens:

Original

Hebrew

English

Then the LORD said to Moses on Mount Sinai,

Notes

Leviticus 25:1–55

Just as seven days made a week ending in a Sabbath day, every seven years ended with a Sabbath year. After seven Sabbath years, or 49 years, came a special year called the Year of Jubilee. Like so many holy days, these times were meant for reflecting on Israel's shared identity and their relationship with God.

Every Israelite, both free and servant, had a place in God’s kingdom. So, those bound in servitude were set free during the Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25:39–43). To reduce poverty and protect families, land sales were limited to fifty years. After that, the land returned to the original owner's family or clan.

The land belonged to God, and the Israelites were only "residents" (25:23). But it is unlikely that they actually used these laws. The best land ended up belonging to wealthy landowners (Isaiah 5:8–10; compare Amos 5:11).

Theme notes and profiles

Ancient Law Codes

Related verses

Galatians 4:24–25
These things serve as illustrations, for the women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children into slavery: This is Hagar.
Numbers 1:1
On the first day of the second month of the second year after the Israelites had come out of the land of Egypt, the LORD spoke to Moses in the Tent of Meeting in the Wilderness of Sinai. He said:
Numbers 10:11–12
On the twentieth day of the second month of the second year, the cloud was lifted from above the tabernacle of the Testimony,
Exodus 19:1
In the third month, on the same day of the month that the Israelites had left the land of Egypt, they came to the Wilderness of Sinai.

Parallels

Exodus 23:10–13 Deuteronomy 15:1–6

People

Moses: Prophet who led Israel out of Egypt

Places

Sinai: Mountain where Moses received the Ten Commandments

Glossary

Beggar Biblical Concept of Law Deuteronomy, Book of History of Israel Jubilee Year Leviticus, Book of Ransom Sabbath

Topics

Israel: The Law Delivered To Sabbath: Signifying a Period of Rest Sabbatic Year: Ordinances Concerning Sinai: A Mountain in the Peninsula East of the Red Sea: The Law Delivered to Moses Upon

Leviticus 25:1

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