Keraia
Leviticus 25

Leviticus 25:17

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

Translations

Modern
Do not take advantage of each other, but fear your God; for I am the LORD your God.
Traditional
Ye shall not therefore oppress one another; but thou shalt fear thy God: for I am the Lord your God.
Literal
And you shall not oppress one another, and you shall fear your God. For I am YHWH your God.
Latin
Nolite affligere contribules vestros, sed timeat unusquisque Deum suum, quia ego Dominus Deus vester.

Original

Hebrew
English
Do not take advantage of each other, but fear your God; for I am the LORD your God.

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 Debt Deuteronomy, Book of Earth Feasts and Festivals of Israel Freedom, Liberty History of Israel Jubilee Year Leviticus, Book of Neighbor Ransom Sabbath

Topics

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 Fear of God: A Motive of Obedience Jubilee: Laws Concerning