Leviticus 25:55

Translations

Modern

For the Israelites are My servants. They are My servants, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.

Traditional

For unto me the children of Israel are servants; they are my servants whom I brought forth out of the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.

Literal

For the sons of Israel are servants to Me. They are My servants, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt. I am YHWH your God.

Latin

Mei enim sunt servi filii Israël, quos eduxi de terra Ægypti.

Original

Hebrew

English

For the Israelites are My servants. They are My servants, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.

Notes

Leviticus 25:47–55

An Israelite who sold himself or a family member to a foreigner in Israel could buy himself or the family member back. If he lacked the resources to do so, he remained a slave in the seventh year. He had to wait for release in the Year of Jubilee (compare Exodus 21:2). While serving the foreigner, they must treat the Israelite slave as a hired servant, not as a slave (see Leviticus 25:53). The people of Israel belonged to God. No one could sell them as permanent slaves to anyone else.

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 God’s Servant The Family Redeemer

Related verses

Leviticus 25:42
Because the Israelites are My servants, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt, they are not to be sold as slaves.
Exodus 20:2
“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
Isaiah 43:3
For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your place.
1 Corinthians 9:19
Though I am free of obligation to anyone, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.
1 Corinthians 9:21
To those without the law I became like one without the law (though I am not outside the law of God but am under the law of Christ), to win those without the law.
Romans 6:14
For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.
Romans 6:22
But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the fruit you reap leads to holiness, and the outcome is eternal life.
Psalm 116:16
Truly, O LORD, I am Your servant; I am Your servant, the son of Your maidservant; You have broken my bonds.
Luke 1:74–75
…deliverance from hostile hands, that we may serve Him without fear,
1 Corinthians 7:22–23
For he who was a slave when he was called by the Lord is the Lord’s freedman. Conversely, he who was a free man when he was called is Christ’s slave.
Exodus 13:3
So Moses told the people, “Remember this day, the day you came out of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; for the LORD brought you out of it by the strength of His hand. And nothing leavened shall be eaten.
Romans 6:17–18
But thanks be to God that, though you once were slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were committed.

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Places

Egypt: Ancient nation; Israelites enslaved there; plagues and Exodus

Glossary

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

Topics

Debtor: Laws Concerning God: Love of, Exemplified Jubilee: Laws Concerning Servant: Bond: Laws of Moses Concerning Servant: Figurative Servants: Slaves or Bond: Israelites Sold to Strangers As, Might be Redeemed by Their

Leviticus 25:55

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