Leviticus 25ASV
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Leviticus25

American Standard Version · Public Domain

1And Jehovah spake unto Moses in mount Sinai, saying,

2Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye come into the land which I give you, then shall the land keep a sabbath unto Jehovah.

3Six years thou shalt sow thy field, and six years thou shalt prune thy vineyard, and gather in the fruits thereof;

4but in the seventh year shall be a sabbath of solemn rest for the land, a sabbath unto Jehovah: thou shalt neither sow thy field, nor prune thy vineyard.

5That which groweth of itself of thy harvest thou shalt not reap, and the grapes of thy undressed vine thou shalt not gather: it shall be a year of solemn rest for the land.

6And the sabbath of the land shall be for food for you; for thee, and for thy servant and for thy maid, and for thy hired servant and for thy stranger, who sojourn with thee.

7And for thy cattle, and for the beasts that are in thy land, shall all the increase thereof be for food.

8And thou shalt number seven sabbaths of years unto thee, seven times seven years; and there shall be unto thee the days of seven sabbaths of years, even forty and nine years.

9Then shalt thou send abroad the loud trumpet on the tenth day of the seventh month; in the day of atonement shall ye send abroad the trumpet throughout all your land.

10And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubilee unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family.

11A jubilee shall that fiftieth year be unto you: ye shall not sow, neither reap that which groweth of itself in it, nor gather the grapes in it of the undressed vines.

12For it is a jubilee; it shall be holy unto you: ye shall eat the increase thereof out of the field.

13In this year of jubilee ye shall return every man unto his possession.

14And if thou sell aught unto thy neighbor, or buy of thy neighbor’s hand, ye shall not wrong one another.

15According to the number of years after the jubilee thou shalt buy of thy neighbor, and according unto the number of years of the crops he shall sell unto thee.

16According to the multitude of the years thou shalt increase the price thereof, and according to the fewness of the years thou shalt diminish the price of it; for the number of the crops doth he sell unto thee.

17And ye shall not wrong one another; but thou shalt fear thy God: for I am Jehovah your God.

18Wherefore ye shall do my statutes, and keep mine ordinances and do them; and ye shall dwell in the land in safety.

19And the land shall yield its fruit, and ye shall eat your fill, and dwell therein in safety.

20And if ye shall say, What shall we eat the seventh year? behold, we shall not sow, nor gather in our increase;

21then I will command my blessing upon you in the sixth year, and it shall bring forth fruit for the three years.

22And ye shall sow the eighth year, and eat of the fruits, the old store; until the ninth year, until its fruits come in, ye shall eat the old store.

23And the land shall not be sold in perpetuity; for the land is mine: for ye are strangers and sojourners with me.

24And in all the land of your possession ye shall grant a redemption for the land.

25If thy brother be waxed poor, and sell some of his possession, then shall his kinsman that is next unto him come, and shall redeem that which his brother hath sold.

26And if a man have no one to redeem it, and he be waxed rich and find sufficient to redeem it;

27then let him reckon the years of the sale thereof, and restore the overplus unto the man to whom he sold it; and he shall return unto his possession.

28But if he be not able to get it back for himself, then that which he hath sold shall remain in the hand of him that hath bought it until the year of jubilee: and in the jubilee it shall go out, and he shall return unto his possession.

29And if a man sell a dwelling-house in a walled city, then he may redeem it within a whole year after it is sold; for a full year shall he have the right of redemption.

30And if it be not redeemed within the space of a full year, then the house that is in the walled city shall be made sure in perpetuity to him that bought it, throughout his generations: it shall not go out in the jubilee.

31But the houses of the villages which have no wall round about them shall be reckoned with the fields of the country: they may be redeemed, and they shall go out in the jubilee.

32Nevertheless the cities of the Levites, the houses of the cities of their possession, may the Levites redeem at any time.

33And if one of the Levites redeem, then the house that was sold, and the city of his possession, shall go out in the jubilee; for the houses of the cities of the Levites are their possession among the children of Israel.

34But the field of the suburbs of their cities may not be sold; for it is their perpetual possession.

35And if thy brother be waxed poor, and his hand fail with thee; then thou shalt uphold him: as a stranger and a sojourner shall he live with thee.

36Take thou no interest of him or increase, but fear thy God; that thy brother may live with thee.

37Thou shalt not give him thy money upon interest, nor give him thy victuals for increase.

38I am Jehovah your God, who brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, to give you the land of Canaan, and to be your God.

39And if thy brother be waxed poor with thee, and sell himself unto thee; thou shalt not make him to serve as a bondservant.

40As a hired servant, and as a sojourner, he shall be with thee; he shall serve with thee unto the year of jubilee:

41then shall he go out from thee, he and his children with him, and shall return unto his own family, and unto the possession of his fathers shall he return.

42For they are my servants, whom I brought forth out of the land of Egypt: they shall not be sold as bondmen.

43Thou shalt not rule over him with rigor, but shalt fear thy God.

44And as for thy bondmen, and thy bondmaids, whom thou shalt have; of the nations that are round about you, of them shall ye buy bondmen and bondmaids.

45Moreover of the children of the strangers that sojourn among you, of them shall ye buy, and of their families that are with you, which they have begotten in your land: and they shall be your possession.

46And ye shall make them an inheritance for your children after you, to hold for a possession; of them shall ye take your bondmen for ever: but over your brethren the children of Israel ye shall not rule, one over another, with rigor.

47And if a stranger or sojourner with thee be waxed rich, and thy brother be waxed poor beside him, and sell himself unto the stranger or sojourner with thee, or to the stock of the stranger’s family;

48after that he is sold he may be redeemed: one of his brethren may redeem him;

49or his uncle, or his uncle’s son, may redeem him, or any that is nigh of kin unto him of his family may redeem him; or if he be waxed rich, he may redeem himself.

50And he shall reckon with him that bought him from the year that he sold himself to him unto the year of jubilee: and the price of his sale shall be according unto the number of years; according to the time of a hired servant shall he be with him.

51If there be yet many years, according unto them he shall give back the price of his redemption out of the money that he was bought for.

52And if there remain but few years unto the year of jubilee, then he shall reckon with him; according unto his years shall he give back the price of his redemption.

53As a servant hired year by year shall he be with him: he shall not rule with rigor over him in thy sight.

54And if he be not redeemed by these means, then he shall go out in the year of jubilee, he, and his children with him.

55For unto me the children of Israel are servants; they are my servants whom I brought forth out of the land of Egypt: I am Jehovah your God.

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Leviticus 25.

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Chapter Summary

In this chapter: The sabbath of rest for the land in the seventh year. (1–7). The jubilee of the fiftieth year, Oppression forbidden. (8–22). Redemption of the land and houses. (23–34). Compassion towards the poor. (35–38). Laws respecting bondmen, Oppression forbidden. (39–55).

vv1-7

All labour was to cease in the seventh year, as much as daily labour on the seventh day. These statues tell us to beware of covetousness, for a man's life consists not in the abundance of his possessions. We are to exercise willing dependence on God's providence for our support; to consider ourselves the Lord's tenants or stewards, and to use our possessions accordingly. This year of rest typified the spiritual rest which all believers enter into through Christ. Through Him we are eased of the burden of wordly care and labour, both being sanctified and sweetened to us; and we are enabled and encouraged to live by faith.

vv8-22

The word “jubilee” signifies a peculiarly animated sound of the silver trumpets. This sound was to be made on the evening of the great day of atonement; for the proclamation of gospel liberty and salvation results from the sacrifice of the Redeemer. It was provided that the lands should not be sold away from their families. They could only be disposed of, as it were, by leases till the year of jubilee, and then returned to the owner or his heir. This tended to preserve their tribes and families distinct, till the coming of the Messiah. The liberty every man was born to, if sold or forfeited, should return at the year of jubilee. This was typical of redemption by Christ from the slavery of sin and Satan, and of being brought again to the liberty of the children of God. All bargains ought to be made by this rule, “Ye shall not oppress one another,” not take advantage of one another's ignorance or necessity, “but thou shalt fear thy God.” The fear of God reigning in the heart, would restrain from doing wrong to our neighbour in word or deed. Assurance was given that they should be great gainers, by observing these years of rest. If we are careful to do our duty, we may trust God with our comfort. This was a miracle for an encouragement to all neither sowed or reaped. This was a miracle for an encouragement to all God's people, in all ages, to trust him in the way of duty. There is nothing lost by faith and self-denial in obedience. Some asked, What shall we eat the seventh year? Thus many Christians anticipate evils, questioning what they shall do, and fearing to proceed in the way of duty. But we have no right to anticipate evils, so as to distress ourselves about them. To carnal minds we may appear to act absurdly, but the path of duty is ever the path of safety.

vv23-34

If the land were not redeemed before the year of jubilee, it then returned to him that sold or mortgaged it. This was a figure of the free grace of God in Christ; by which, and not by any price or merit of our own, we are restored to the favour of God. Houses in walled cities were more the fruits of their own industry than land in the country, which was the direct gift of God's bounty; therefore if a man sold a house in a city, he might redeem it only within a year after the sale. This encouraged strangers and proselytes to come and settle among them.

Cross References

Leviticus 25
v10Isaiah 61:1-3typology

The proclamation of liberty in the Jubilee typifies Christ's proclamation of spiritual liberty and gospel redemption.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole

v222 Kings 19:29thematic

Sowing the eighth year and eating old fruit has a historical parallel in Sennacherib's invasion sign.

Supported by JFB

Warns of exile so the land can enjoy the sabbaths it was denied during Israel's disobedience.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v2Exodus 23:10-11thematic

The foundational Covenant Code law establishing the seventh-year fallow for the land and the poor.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v202 Kings 19:29thematic

Historical example of God providing spontaneous, miraculous crops for consecutive years during a crisis.

Supported by JFB

v20Matthew 6:25-34thematic

Christ's exhortation against anxious care echoes the trust required for the sabbatical year's provision.

Supported by Matthew Henry

Deuteronomy parallel prohibiting taking usury or increase from a poor brother.

Supported by John Calvin

Since believers are bought with a price, they belong to God and must not be sold as slaves.

Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin

v43Colossians 4:1thematic

Masters must give servants what is just and equal, remembering they too have a Master in heaven.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v42 Chronicles 36:21fulfillment

The Babylonian exile explicitly fulfills the land's need to rest and keep its missed sabbaths.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v9Leviticus 23:27thematic

The Day of Atonement is the specific holy day when the Jubilee trumpet is sounded.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v10Luke 4:16-21fulfillment

Jesus reads Isaiah 61 and declares the ultimate fulfillment of the Jubilee's release.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v20Isaiah 37:30thematic

Parallel promise of eating spontaneous growth during years without sowing or reaping.

Supported by JFB

God's explicit answer to the question in verse 20, promising a threefold harvest.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v231 Kings 21:3thematic

Naboth's refusal to sell his inheritance reflects the divine law that the land is God's.

Supported by Matthew Poole

David confesses that Israel are strangers and sojourners before God, matching the land ownership law.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v32Numbers 35:2-8thematic

Defines the cities and suburbs of the Levites, which had distinct redemption rules.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v39Colossians 4:1thematic

New Testament parallel instructing masters to give servants what is just and equal.

Supported by Matthew Henry

Deuteronomy parallel concerning the release and treatment of Hebrew servants.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v41John 8:32typology

The restoration of liberty in the Jubilee typified spiritual freedom and redemption through Christ's truth.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v48Hebrews 2:11-13thematic

Christ became our near kinsman (Goel) to redeem us from bondage, acting as the ultimate redeemer.

v49Jeremiah 32:7thematic

Illustrates the active practice of the right of kinsman redemption (Goel) within Israel's land and family laws.

v10Leviticus 25:23thematic

Explains why land returns in the Jubilee: the land belongs to God; Israel is tenants.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v10Ezekiel 46:17thematic

Prophetic reference to the 'year of liberty' where land gifts return to their original owners.

Supported by John Calvin

God's severe judgment on Israel for failing to release Hebrew slaves in accordance with the law.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v17Leviticus 25:14thematic

Repeats the strict prohibition against oppressing one another in trade, grounded in fear of God.

Supported by JFB

v23Leviticus 25:10thematic

The foundational jubilee proclamation of liberty and return to family possessions.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole

v23Psalms 39:12thematic

The Psalmist echoes that he is a stranger and sojourner on God's earth.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v36Nehemiah 5:7-10thematic

Nehemiah rebukes the nobles for taking usury from their impoverished brethren.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v41Leviticus 25:10thematic

The foundational decree of Jubilee requiring every man to return to his family and possession.

Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin, JFB

v43Exodus 1:13contrast

Contrasts the forbidden 'rigour' among Hebrew brethren with Egypt's harsh oppression of Israel.

v48Leviticus 25:25thematic

The law of kinsman redemption applied specifically to the recovery of lost or sold property.

v48Nehemiah 5:8thematic

Nehemiah instances this law, noting effort made to redeem Jewish brethren sold to heathens.

v9Romans 10:18allusion

Applies the sounding of the trumpet globally to the preaching of the gospel message.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v22Leviticus 26:10thematic

Promise of clearing out old store to make room for new harvest.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v25Jeremiah 32:7thematic

Jeremiah purchases the field of his uncle's son, exercising the right of redemption.

Supported by Matthew Poole