The Seventh Year 1Then the LORD said to Moses on Mount Sinai, 2“Speak to the Israelites and say to them: When you enter the land that I am giving you, the land itself must observe a Sabbath to the LORD. 3For six years you may sow your field and prune your vineyard and gather its crops. 4But in the seventh year there shall be a Sabbath of complete rest for the land—a Sabbath to the LORD. You are not to sow your field or prune your vineyard. 5You are not to reap the aftergrowth of your harvest or gather the grapes of your untended vines. The land must have a year of complete rest. 6Whatever the land yields during the Sabbath year shall be food for you—for yourself, your manservant and maidservant, the hired hand or foreigner who stays with you, 7and for your livestock and the wild animals in your land. All its growth may serve as food. The Year of Jubilee 8And you shall count off seven Sabbaths of years—seven times seven years—so that the seven Sabbaths of years amount to forty-nine years. 9Then 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. 10So you are to consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty in the land for all its inhabitants. It shall be your Jubilee, when each of you is to return to his property and to his clan. 11The fiftieth year will be a Jubilee for you; you are not to sow the land or reap its aftergrowth or harvest the untended vines. 12For it is a Jubilee; it shall be holy to you. You may eat only the crops taken directly from the field. Return of Property 13In this Year of Jubilee, each of you shall return to his own property. 14If you make a sale to your neighbor or a purchase from him, you must not take advantage of each other. 15You are to buy from your neighbor according to the number of years since the last Jubilee; he is to sell to you according to the number of harvest years remaining. 16You shall increase the price in proportion to a greater number of years, or decrease it in proportion to a lesser number of years; for he is selling you a given number of harvests. 17Do not take advantage of each other, but fear your God; for I am the LORD your God. The Blessing of Obedience 18You are to keep My statutes and carefully observe My judgments, so that you may dwell securely in the land. 19Then the land will yield its fruit, so that you can eat your fill and dwell in safety in the land. 20Now you may wonder, ‘What will we eat in the seventh year if we do not sow or gather our produce?’ 21But I will send My blessing upon you in the sixth year, so that the land will yield a crop sufficient for three years. 22While you are sowing in the eighth year, you will be eating from the previous harvest, until the ninth year’s harvest comes in. The Law of Redemption 23The land must not be sold permanently, because it is Mine, and you are but foreigners and residents with Me. 24Thus for every piece of property you possess, you must provide for the redemption of the land. 25If your brother becomes impoverished and sells some of his property, his nearest of kin may come and redeem what his brother has sold. 26Or if a man has no one to redeem it for him, but he prospers and acquires enough to redeem his land, 27he shall calculate the years since its sale, repay the balance to the man to whom he sold it, and return to his property. 28But if he cannot obtain enough to repay him, what he sold will remain in possession of the buyer until the Year of Jubilee. In the Jubilee, however, it is to be released, so that he may return to his property. 29If a man sells a house in a walled city, he retains his right of redemption until a full year after its sale; during that year it may be redeemed. 30If it is not redeemed by the end of a full year, then the house in the walled city is permanently transferred to its buyer and his descendants. It is not to be released in the Jubilee. 31But houses in villages with no walls around them are to be considered as open fields. They may be redeemed, and they shall be released in the Jubilee. 32As for the cities of the Levites, the Levites always have the right to redeem their houses in the cities they possess. 33So whatever belongs to the Levites may be redeemed—a house sold in a city they possess—and must be released in the Jubilee, because the houses in the cities of the Levites are their possession among the Israelites. 34But the open pastureland around their cities may not be sold, for this is their permanent possession. Redemption of the Poor 35Now if your countryman becomes destitute and cannot support himself among you, then you are to help him as you would a foreigner or stranger, so that he can continue to live among you. 36Do not take any interest or profit from him, but fear your God, that your countryman may live among you. 37You must not lend him your silver at interest or sell him your food for profit. 38I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt to give you the land of Canaan and to be your God. Redemption of Bondmen 39If a countryman among you becomes destitute and sells himself to you, then you must not force him into slave labor. 40Let him stay with you as a hired worker or temporary resident; he is to work for you until the Year of Jubilee. 41Then he and his children are to be released, and he may return to his clan and to the property of his fathers. 42Because the Israelites are My servants, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt, they are not to be sold as slaves. 43You are not to rule over them harshly, but you shall fear your God. 44Your menservants and maidservants shall come from the nations around you, from whom you may purchase them. 45You may also purchase them from the foreigners residing among you or their clans living among you who are born in your land. These may become your property. 46You may leave them to your sons after you to inherit as property; you can make them slaves for life. But as for your brothers, the Israelites, no man may rule harshly over his brother. Redemption of Servants 47If a foreigner residing among you prospers, but your countryman dwelling near him becomes destitute and sells himself to the foreigner or to a member of his clan, 48he retains the right of redemption after he has sold himself. One of his brothers may redeem him: 49either his uncle or cousin or any close relative from his clan may redeem him. Or if he prospers, he may redeem himself. 50He and his purchaser will then count the time from the year he sold himself up to the Year of Jubilee. The price of his sale will be determined by the number of years, based on the daily wages of a hired hand. 51If many years remain, he must pay for his redemption in proportion to his purchase price. 52If only a few years remain until the Year of Jubilee, he is to calculate and pay his redemption according to his remaining years. 53He shall be treated like a man hired from year to year, but a foreign owner must not rule over him harshly in your sight. 54Even if he is not redeemed in any of these ways, he and his children shall be released in the Year of Jubilee. 55For the Israelites are My servants. They are My servants, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God. Berean Standard Bible (BSB) printed 2016, 2020, 2022, 2025 by Bible Hub and Berean.Bible. Produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, unfoldingWord, Bible Aquifer, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee. This text of God's Word has been dedicated to the public domain. Free downloads and unlimited usage available. See also the Berean Literal Bible and Berean Interlinear Bible. Bible Hub  Leviticus 25 Summary The Year of JubileeVerses 1–7 – Sabbath Rest for the Land Verses 8–17 – The Year of Jubilee Announced Verses 18–22 – God’s Provision during the Sabbath and Jubilee Verses 23–28 – Redemption of Land Verses 29–34 – Redemption of Houses and Levite Property Verses 35–38 – Care for the Poor without Interest Verses 39–46 – Release and Treatment of Israelite Bondservants Verses 47–55 – Redemption of Israelite Slaves from Foreigners The chapter underscores God’s instructions to Moses on Mount Sinai regarding the Sabbath and Jubilee years, as well as property rights and redemption in the land God is providing to the Israelites. It emphasises the divine mandate of caring for the land, and the socio-economic principles to ensure justice and compassion within the community. Historical Context: Mount Sinai and the Wilderness Setting Leviticus 25 comes while Israel is encamped at Sinai, before entering Canaan (25:1). The commands anticipate settled life on inherited land, showing that God already sees them occupying the promise (compare Genesis 17:8). Exodus 23:10-11 introduced the Sabbath year; Deuteronomy 15 later reinforces it. Together these laws shape a society that remembers slavery yet practices freedom. Sabbath Year in Agriculture and Ecology • Ancient Near Eastern farmers typically overworked soil; fallow years allowed nutrients to recover. • Modern studies in the region show that a seven-year rotation benefits moisture retention and prevents erosion. • The law also provides food for the poor and wildlife, illustrating God’s care for all creation (Psalm 104:27-28). The Jubilee Cycle and Freedom • Seven × seven = completeness squared; the Jubilee amplifies Sabbath principles to the national scale. • Blowing the shofar on the Day of Atonement links forgiveness of sin with social release (see Leviticus 16). • Isaiah 61:1-2 proclaims “the year of the LORD’s favor,” echoing Jubilee language. Jesus reads this text in Luke 4:18-21, announcing liberation through Himself. Economic Safeguards Against Permanent Poverty 1. Land never leaves a clan forever. 2. None may charge interest on survival loans (see also Exodus 22:25; Deuteronomy 23:19-20). 3. Bondservice is time-limited, and kin may intervene at any point. Together these principles prevent a landed aristocracy from arising and keep every tribe rooted in its God-given portion (Numbers 26:52-56; Joshua 13-21). Land Ownership and Divine Stewardship “The land is Mine, and you are but foreigners and sojourners with Me” (25:23). The verse flips normal ideas of ownership: Israelites are tenants under a heavenly Landlord. Psalm 24:1 says, “The earth is the LORD’s.” This truth shapes generosity, controls greed, and frames environmental respect. Servanthood versus Ancient Slavery • In Egypt, Israel suffered forced labor with no hope of release; in Canaan an Israelite servant remains part of the community. • The word translated “slave” can mean bondservant—one working to repay debt. • Limits on severity (25:46) and mandated freedom mirror earlier protections (Exodus 21:20-21, 26-27). Prophetic Pictures and New-Covenant Links • Jeremiah 34 rebukes Jerusalem for revoking the release of Hebrew servants, leading to judgment. • 2 Chronicles 36:21 links the seventy-year Babylonian exile to Israel’s failure to keep Sabbath years: “so the land enjoyed its Sabbaths.” • Jesus’ atonement and resurrection fulfill the deepest meaning of Jubilee—freedom from sin and restoration to God (John 8:36; Colossians 2:13-14). Archaeological Notes • Clay tablets from Nuzi and Alalakh (15th–14th centuries BC) record adoption and sale contracts with release clauses after fixed terms, showing the reality of limited servitude. • Boundary stones and agrarian records from Iron-Age Israel attest to ancestral fields (nahalah) that align with Levitical land theology. • Shofar horns, still used in modern Jewish ritual, have been excavated in Judean sites, supporting the cultural memory of Jubilee blasts. Practical Lessons for Today • Trust: God’s promise of triple harvest teaches reliance rather than anxiety (Matthew 6:25-34). • Rest: Regular pauses for land and labor honor the Creator’s rhythm (Genesis 2:2-3; Mark 2:27). • Generosity: Interest-free help models love of neighbor (Luke 6:34-35). • Hope: Jubilee foreshadows ultimate redemption when creation itself “will be set free” (Romans 8:21). Key Cross-References Exodus 21; 23:10-11 Deuteronomy 15; 23:19-20 Numbers 26; 36 Isaiah 58:6; 61:1-2 Connections to Additional Scriptures Sabbath Rest Exodus 20:8-11 emphasizes the importance of the Sabbath as a day of rest and worship. God's Provision Matthew 6:25-34 encourages believers to trust in God's provision and not to worry about material needs. Justice and Mercy Micah 6:8 calls us to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God, echoing the themes of Leviticus 25. Redemption and Freedom Galatians 5:1 speaks of the freedom we have in Christ, paralleling the liberation of the Year of Jubilee. Teaching Points The Sabbath YearLeviticus 25:4 states, But in the seventh year there shall be a Sabbath of complete rest for the land—a Sabbath to the LORD. You are not to sow your field or prune your vineyard. This command underscores the importance of rest and reliance on God's provision. The Year of Jubilee Every fiftieth year, as described in Leviticus 25:10, You shall consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a Jubilee for you, when each of you is to return to his property and to his clan. This year was a time of liberation and restoration, reflecting God's desire for freedom and equality. Redemption of Property Leviticus 25:23 reminds us, The land must not be sold permanently, because it is Mine, and you are but foreigners and sojourners with Me. This principle highlights God's ultimate ownership and our role as stewards. Care for the Poor The chapter emphasizes compassion and support for the poor, as seen in Leviticus 25:35, If your brother becomes impoverished and cannot support himself among you, help him as you would a foreigner or stranger, so that he can continue to live among you. Practical Applications Embrace RestConsider how you can incorporate regular periods of rest and reflection in your life, trusting in God's provision rather than your own efforts. Practice Stewardship Reflect on how you manage the resources God has entrusted to you, recognizing His ultimate ownership and your role as a steward. Promote Justice and Equality Advocate for systems and practices that promote economic and social justice, inspired by the principles of the Year of Jubilee. Support the Vulnerable Look for opportunities to support those in need within your community, embodying the compassion and care outlined in Leviticus 25. People 1. The LORD (YHWH)The chapter begins with the LORD speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai, giving instructions about the Sabbath year and the Year of Jubilee. The LORD is the divine lawgiver and central figure in the text. 2. Moses Moses is the recipient of God's instructions. He is the leader of the Israelites and the mediator between God and the people. 3. The Israelites The laws are given to the children of Israel, who are the primary audience and the community expected to observe these commandments. 4. The Poor Brother In verses 25 and 35, the text refers to a fellow Israelite who becomes poor. The community is instructed to support and redeem him, reflecting the Hebrew concept of "goel" (גֹּאֵל), meaning redeemer or kinsman-redeemer. 5. The Alien and Sojourner In verse 47, the text mentions a foreigner or temporary resident living among the Israelites. These individuals could acquire property and even Israelite servants, highlighting the social dynamics within the community. 6. The Slave Verses 39-55 discuss the treatment of Israelite slaves, emphasizing that they should not be treated harshly and should be released in the Year of Jubilee. The Hebrew term "ebed" (עֶבֶד) is used, meaning servant or slave. Places 1. Mount SinaiLeviticus 25:1 begins with, "The LORD said to Moses on Mount Sinai..." This is the location where God communicated His laws to Moses. Mount Sinai, also known as Horeb, is traditionally considered to be in the Sinai Peninsula. In Hebrew, it is "הַר סִינַי" (Har Sinai), a significant place where the covenant between God and Israel was established. 2. The Land Throughout Leviticus 25, "the land" is frequently mentioned, referring to the Promised Land, Canaan, which the Israelites were to inhabit. For example, Leviticus 25:2 states, "Speak to the Israelites and say to them: When you enter the land I am giving you, the land itself must observe a Sabbath to the LORD." The Hebrew word for land is "אֶרֶץ" (eretz), emphasizing the physical territory that was to be treated with respect and observance of God's laws. Events 1. Sabbath Year Commanded (Leviticus 25:1-7)God instructs Moses on Mount Sinai to tell the Israelites that every seventh year is to be a Sabbath of rest for the land. During this year, they are not to sow their fields or prune their vineyards. The land is to have a complete rest, and whatever the land produces naturally may be eaten by everyone, including servants, hired workers, and even animals. 2. The Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25:8-12) After seven cycles of seven years (49 years), the fiftieth year is to be consecrated as the Year of Jubilee. This year is to be proclaimed with the sounding of a trumpet on the Day of Atonement. It is a year of liberty, where everyone is to return to their own property and family. 3. Property Redemption (Leviticus 25:13-17) In the Year of Jubilee, property that has been sold is to be returned to its original owner. The price of the land is to be based on the number of years until the next Jubilee, reflecting the number of harvests remaining. 4. Provision for the Sabbath Year (Leviticus 25:18-22) God promises that if the Israelites follow His decrees, the land will yield its fruit, and they will live securely. In the sixth year, God will provide a blessing so that the land will produce enough for three years. 5. Redemption of Property (Leviticus 25:23-28) The land must not be sold permanently because it belongs to God, and the Israelites are merely foreigners and tenants. If someone becomes poor and sells some of their property, a relative can redeem it. If there is no one to redeem it, the seller can redeem it themselves if they acquire the means. 6. Redemption of Houses (Leviticus 25:29-34) Houses in walled cities can be redeemed within a year of sale. If not redeemed, they become permanent property of the buyer. However, houses in villages without walls are considered as open country and can be redeemed at any time. The Levites have a perpetual right of redemption for their houses in Levitical towns. 7. Compassion for the Poor (Leviticus 25:35-38) If an Israelite becomes poor, others are to help them as they would a foreigner or temporary resident, allowing them to live among them. They are not to charge interest or make a profit from them. 8. Release of Hebrew Servants (Leviticus 25:39-46) If an Israelite becomes poor and sells themselves to another Israelite, they are not to be treated as slaves but as hired workers until the Year of Jubilee, when they and their children are to be released. Foreign slaves, however, can be bought and owned permanently. 9. Redemption of Servants (Leviticus 25:47-55) If an Israelite sells themselves to a foreigner or a member of a foreigner's family, they retain the right of redemption. A relative can redeem them, or they can redeem themselves if they acquire the means. They are to be released in the Year of Jubilee. Topics 1. The Sabbath Year (Leviticus 25:1-7)This section outlines the commandment for the land to observe a Sabbath rest every seventh year. The Israelites were instructed not to sow their fields or prune their vineyards during this year. The Hebrew term "שַׁבָּת" (Shabbat) is used, emphasizing rest and cessation from labor, similar to the weekly Sabbath. 2. The Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25:8-17) The Year of Jubilee was to occur every fiftieth year, following seven cycles of seven years. During this year, liberty was proclaimed throughout the land, and properties were to be returned to their original owners. The Hebrew word "יֹבֵל" (Yovel) refers to the ram's horn used to announce this year of release and restoration. 3. Redemption of Property (Leviticus 25:23-28) This section provides laws regarding the redemption of property. If someone sold land, they or their relatives had the right to redeem it. The land was not to be sold permanently, as it ultimately belonged to God. The concept of "גְּאֻלָּה" (ge'ulah) or redemption is central, highlighting the idea of reclaiming or buying back. 4. Compassion for the Poor (Leviticus 25:35-38) Instructions are given to support fellow Israelites who become poor. They were to be helped without charging interest or making a profit from their misfortune. The Hebrew root "חָנַן" (chanan) implies showing favor or grace, reflecting God's compassion. 5. Release of Hebrew Servants (Leviticus 25:39-55) This section addresses the treatment and eventual release of Hebrew servants. If an Israelite became poor and sold themselves into servitude, they were to be treated as hired workers and released in the Year of Jubilee. The Hebrew term "עֶבֶד" (eved) is used for servant, emphasizing servitude with dignity and eventual freedom. Themes 1. Sabbath Year (Shemitah)The chapter begins with the commandment for the land to observe a Sabbath rest every seventh year: "For six years you may sow your fields and prune your vineyards and gather their crops. But in the seventh year there shall be a Sabbath of complete rest for the land—a Sabbath to the LORD" (Leviticus 25:3-4). The Hebrew term "שַׁבָּתוֹן" (shabbaton) emphasizes a complete cessation of agricultural work, reflecting trust in God's provision. 2. Year of Jubilee (Yovel) Every fiftieth year is declared a Jubilee, a time of liberation and restoration: "You are to consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty in the land for all its inhabitants. It shall be your Jubilee" (Leviticus 25:10). The Hebrew word "יֹבֵל" (yovel) signifies a ram's horn, used to announce this year of freedom and return of property. 3. Redemption of Property The chapter outlines the laws for redeeming property sold due to poverty: "If a fellow countryman becomes destitute and sells some of his property, his nearest relative is to come and redeem what his countryman has sold" (Leviticus 25:25). This theme underscores the importance of family and community support, with the Hebrew root "גָּאַל" (ga'al) meaning to redeem or buy back. 4. Compassion for the Poor Instructions are given to support those who become poor: "If your brother becomes impoverished and is indebted to you, you must support him as you would a foreign resident, so that he can continue to live among you" (Leviticus 25:35). This reflects the Hebrew concept of "חֶסֶד" (chesed), or loving-kindness, towards the less fortunate. 5. Prohibition of Permanent Slavery The chapter prohibits the permanent enslavement of Israelites: "Because the Israelites are My servants, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt, they are not to be sold as slaves" (Leviticus 25:42). The Hebrew term "עֶבֶד" (eved) for servant or slave highlights the dignity and freedom intended for God's people. 6. Restoration and Restitution The Jubilee year serves as a time for restoration and restitution, ensuring that economic disparities do not become permanent: "In this Year of Jubilee, each of you shall return to his own property" (Leviticus 25:13). This reflects God's desire for justice and equity within the community. Answering Tough Questions 1. How is it scientifically plausible (Lev 25:20–22) that the land left unplanted still provides enough food for three years? Bible Study Discussion Questions 1. What is the significance of the land resting during the Sabbath year? How can this principle be applied to modern-day environmental stewardship? 2. How does the Jubilee year challenge our contemporary economic systems? 3. How are the concepts of property and ownership defined differently in this passage compared to today’s view on property rights? 4. In what ways does the Jubilee year ensure economic justice and reduce income inequality? 5. How do the commands about not exploiting each other speak to our personal and business transactions today? 6. What assurances does God provide to the Israelites if they follow the rules of the Sabbath year? 7. How can the principles of redemption and the right of the original owner to regain their property apply in a modern context? 8. What role do the Levites play in the land distribution and ownership rules outlined in the passage? 9. How does the command to assist the poor and destitute resonate with our societal norms today? 10. What does the prohibition against charging interest imply about God's perspective on lending and debt? 11. What does God’s command to treat destitute Israelites as hired workers rather than slaves reveal about His character? 12. How do the instructions regarding the treatment of servants reflect on issues of labor rights today? 13. In what ways does the chapter challenge you to reconsider your understanding of wealth, ownership, and prosperity? 14. How can we reconcile the instruction to buy servants from foreign nations with the command not to rule harshly over Israelites? 15. What is the broader theological message in the Israelites being reminded of their own servitude in Egypt? 16. How might the Jubilee year have affected societal structures and relationships among the Israelites? 17. What can we learn from the idea of a Jubilee year about forgiveness and fresh starts? 18. How does the concept of the Year of Jubilee bring a sense of balance and fairness in society? 19. If you were to implement a modern-day Jubilee in your community, what would that look like? 20. How do these laws about Sabbath and Jubilee years reflect on the themes of liberation and restoration in the Bible as a whole? Bible Hub Chapter Summaries and Bible Study Questions |
    |