Keraia
Leviticus 25

Leviticus 25:14

Return of Property · Leviticus 25:13–17
Read Leviticus 25

Translations

Modern
If you make a sale to your neighbor or a purchase from him, you must not take advantage of each other.
Traditional
And if thou sell ought unto thy neighbour, or buyest ought of thy neighbour’s hand, ye shall not oppress one another:
Literal
And if you sell anything to your neighbor or buy from the hand of your neighbor, you shall not oppress one another.
Latin
Quando vendes quippiam civi tuo, vel emes ab eo, ne contristes fratrem tuum, sed juxta numerum annorum jubilæi emes ab eo,

Original

Hebrew
English
If you make a sale to your neighbor or a purchase from him, you must not take advantage of each other.

Notes

Leviticus 25:8–17

  • The Year of Jubilee occurred every fiftieth year, releasing people from obligations and slavery. This year was also a Sabbath year, meaning no farming took place.

    Some scholars believe the forty-ninth year was both a Sabbath (seventh) and Jubilee (fiftieth) year. Counting fifty years would place the Year of Jubilee right after the seventh Sabbath year, leading to two years without harvests.

  • During each Year of Jubilee, the land returned to the original clan or tribe that received it under Joshua (Joshua 13–21).

    Land had two purposes:

    1. It provided an economic foundation for living.

    2. It connected the landowner to ancestors. Through them it connected the land distribution under Joshua and the covenant with Moses.

    Returning the land intended to prevent powerful land monopolies that could exclude the poor.

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

Glossary

Beggar Biblical Concept of Law Day of Atonement Day of Atonement Debt Deuteronomy, Book of Earth Feasts and Festivals of Israel Freedom, Liberty History of Israel Jubilee Year Leviticus, Book of Ransom Sabbath

Topics

Business Practices Christian Liberty: Typified Commerce of the Jews: Under Strict Laws Commerce: Laws Concerning Creditor: Laws Concerning Debtor: Laws Concerning Emancipation of all Jewish Servants at the Time of Jubilee Jubilee: Laws Concerning