Keraia
Leviticus 25

Leviticus 25:9

The Year of Jubilee · Leviticus 25:8–12
Read Leviticus 25

Translations

Modern
Then you are to sound the horn far and wide on the tenth day of the seventh month, the Day of Atonement. You shall sound it throughout your land.
Traditional
Then shalt thou cause the trumpet of the jubile to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month, in the day of atonement shall ye make the trumpet sound throughout all your land.
Literal
And the shofar of the Jubilee you shall cause to sound in the seventh month, on the tenth of the month, in the Day of the Atonements. You shall make the shofar to sound throughout all your land.
Latin
…et clanges buccina mense septimo, decima die mensis, propitiationis tempore, in universa terra vestra.

Original

Hebrew
English
Then you are to sound the horn far and wide on the tenth day of the seventh month, the Day of Atonement. You shall sound it throughout your land.

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 Book of Jubilees Day of Atonement Day of Atonement Deuteronomy, Book of Feasts and Festivals of Israel Freedom, Liberty History of Israel Jubilee Year Leviticus, Book of Ransom Sabbath Trumpet

Topics

Agriculture: Laws Concerning Atonement: Day of Time of Emancipation of all Jewish Servants at the Time of Jubilee Ethanim: Jubilee Proclaimed on the Tenth Day of Jubilee: Laws Concerning Month: Ethanim (October): Jubilee Proclaimed In Sanitation: Rest Commanded the Day of Atonement: Year of Jubilee Commenced On The Feast of Jubilee: Began Upon the Day of Atonement The Feast of Jubilee: Proclaimed by Trumpets Trumpet: At the Jubilee Trumpet: The Jubilee Introduced by Blowing of