Leviticus 25:25
New International Version
“’If one of your fellow Israelites becomes poor and sells some of their property, their nearest relative is to come and redeem what they have sold.

New Living Translation
If one of your fellow Israelites falls into poverty and is forced to sell some family land, then a close relative should buy it back for him.

English Standard Version
“If your brother becomes poor and sells part of his property, then his nearest redeemer shall come and redeem what his brother has sold.

Berean Standard Bible
If your brother becomes impoverished and sells some of his property, his nearest of kin may come and redeem what his brother has sold.

King James Bible
If thy brother be waxen poor, and hath sold away some of his possession, and if any of his kin come to redeem it, then shall he redeem that which his brother sold.

New King James Version
‘If one of your brethren becomes poor, and has sold some of his possession, and if his redeeming relative comes to redeem it, then he may redeem what his brother sold.

New American Standard Bible
‘If a fellow countryman of yours becomes so poor that he sells part of his property, then his closest redeemer is to come and buy back what his relative has sold.

NASB 1995
‘If a fellow countryman of yours becomes so poor he has to sell part of his property, then his nearest kinsman is to come and buy back what his relative has sold.

NASB 1977
‘If a fellow countryman of yours becomes so poor he has to sell part of his property, then his nearest kinsman is to come and buy back what his relative has sold.

Legacy Standard Bible
‘If a brother of yours becomes so poor he has to sell part of his possession of land, then his nearest kinsman redeemer is to come and redeem what his brother has sold.

Amplified Bible
‘If a fellow countryman of yours becomes so poor he has to sell some of his property, then his nearest relative is to come and buy back (redeem) what his relative has sold.

Christian Standard Bible
If your brother becomes destitute and sells part of his property, his nearest relative may come and redeem what his brother has sold.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
If your brother becomes destitute and sells part of his property, his nearest relative may come and redeem what his brother has sold.

American Standard Version
If 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.

Contemporary English Version
If any of you Israelites become so poor that you are forced to sell your property, your closest relative must buy it back,

English Revised Version
If thy brother be waxen 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
If your brother becomes poor and sells some of his property, then the one who can assume responsibility, his nearest relative, must buy back what he sold.

Good News Translation
If any of you Israelites become poor and are forced to sell your land, your closest relative is to buy it back.

International Standard Version
"If your brother becomes so poor that he has to a sell portion of his inheritance, then his nearest kinsman redeemer is to come and redeem what his brother has sold.

Majority Standard Bible
If your brother becomes impoverished and sells some of his property, his nearest of kin may come and redeem what his brother has sold.

NET Bible
"'If your brother becomes impoverished and sells some of his property, his near redeemer is to come to you and redeem what his brother sold.

New Heart English Bible
"'If your brother becomes poor, and sells some of his possessions, then his kinsman who is next to him shall come, and redeem that which his brother has sold.

Webster's Bible Translation
If thy brother shall have become poor, and have sold some of his possession, and if any of his kin shall come to redeem it, then shall he redeem that which his brother sold.

World English Bible
“‘If your brother becomes poor, and sells some of his possessions, then his kinsman who is next to him shall come, and redeem that which his brother has sold.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
When your brother becomes poor, and has sold his possession, then his redeemer who is near to him has come, and he has redeemed the sold thing of his brother;

Young's Literal Translation
'When thy brother becometh poor, and hath sold his possession, then hath his redeemer who is near unto him come, and he hath redeemed the sold thing of his brother;

Smith's Literal Translation
When thy brother shall be poor, and he sold his possession, and he being near to him came to redeem it, and he redeemed the selling of his brother.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
If thy brother being impoverished sell his little possession, and his kinsman will, he may redeem what he had sold.

Catholic Public Domain Version
If your brother, being in need, will have sold his little possession and his close relative is willing, he is able to redeem what he had sold.

New American Bible
When one of your kindred is reduced to poverty and has to sell some property, that person’s closest relative, who has the duty to redeem it, shall come and redeem what the relative has sold.

New Revised Standard Version
If anyone of your kin falls into difficulty and sells a piece of property, then the next of kin shall come and redeem what the relative has sold.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
If your brother becomes poor and sells some of his possession, then his nearest kin shall come and redeem that which his brother has sold.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And if your brother will become poor and will sell some of his inheritance, his close one that is close to him will come redeem the sale of his brother.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
If thy brother be waxen 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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And if thy brother who is with thee be poor, and should have sold part of his possession, and his kinsman who is nigh to him come, then he shall redeem the possession which his brother has sold.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Law of Redemption
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,…

Cross References
Ruth 4:1-10
Meanwhile, Boaz went to the gate and sat down there. Soon the kinsman-redeemer of whom he had spoken came along, and Boaz said, “Come over here, my friend, and sit down.” So he went over and sat down. / Then Boaz took ten of the elders of the city and said, “Sit here,” and they did so. / And he said to the kinsman-redeemer, “Naomi, who has returned from the land of Moab, is selling the piece of land that belonged to our brother Elimelech. ...

Jeremiah 32:6-15
Jeremiah replied, “The word of the LORD came to me, saying: / Behold! Hanamel, the son of your uncle Shallum, is coming to you to say, ‘Buy for yourself my field in Anathoth, for you have the right of redemption to buy it.’ / Then, as the LORD had said, my cousin Hanamel came to me in the courtyard of the guard and urged me, ‘Please buy my field in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin, for you own the right of inheritance and redemption. Buy it for yourself.’” Then I knew that this was the word of the LORD. ...

Numbers 27:8-11
Furthermore, you shall say to the Israelites, ‘If a man dies and leaves no son, you are to transfer his inheritance to his daughter. / If he has no daughter, give his inheritance to his brothers. / If he has no brothers, give his inheritance to his father’s brothers. ...

Deuteronomy 25:5-10
When brothers dwell together and one of them dies without a son, the widow must not marry outside the family. Her husband’s brother is to take her as his wife and fulfill the duty of a brother-in-law for her. / The first son she bears will carry on the name of the dead brother, so that his name will not be blotted out from Israel. / But if the man does not want to marry his brother’s widow, she is to go to the elders at the city gate and say, “My husband’s brother refuses to preserve his brother’s name in Israel. He is not willing to perform the duty of a brother-in-law for me.” ...

Galatians 3:13
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”

Hebrews 9:12
He did not enter by the blood of goats and calves, but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption.

Isaiah 61:1-2
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners, / to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of our God’s vengeance, to comfort all who mourn,

Ephesians 1:7
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace

1 Peter 1:18-19
For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers, / but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot.

Matthew 20:28
just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

Romans 3:24
and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

1 Corinthians 6:20
you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body.

Colossians 1:14
in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Luke 4:18-19
“The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, / to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Isaiah 43:1
But now, this is what the LORD says—He who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine!


Treasury of Scripture

If your brother be waxen poor, and has sold away some of his possession, and if any of his kin come to redeem it, then shall he redeem that which his brother sold.

Ruth 2:20
And Naomi said unto her daughter in law, Blessed be he of the LORD, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And Naomi said unto her, The man is near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen.

Ruth 3:2,9,12
And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshingfloor…

Ruth 4:4-6
And I thought to advertise thee, saying, Buy it before the inhabitants, and before the elders of my people. If thou wilt redeem it, redeem it: but if thou wilt not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know: for there is none to redeem it beside thee; and I am after thee. And he said, I will redeem it

Jump to Previous
Buy Countryman Fellow Grow Kin Kinsman Money Nearest Part Poor Possession Possessions Property Redeem Relation Sell Sells Sold Waxed Waxen
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Buy Countryman Fellow Grow Kin Kinsman Money Nearest Part Poor Possession Possessions Property Redeem Relation Sell Sells Sold Waxed Waxen
Leviticus 25
1. the Sabbath of the seventh year
8. The jubilee in the fiftieth year
14. Of oppression
18. A blessing of obedience
23. The redemption of land
29. Of houses
35. Compassion to the poor
39. The usage of bondmen
47. The redemption of servants














If your brother
The term "brother" here is not limited to a biological sibling but extends to a fellow Israelite, emphasizing the communal and covenantal relationship among the people of Israel. The Hebrew word "אָח" (ach) signifies a close kinship, reflecting the familial bond that God intended for His people. This concept underscores the importance of community and mutual responsibility within the covenant community.

becomes impoverished
The Hebrew word "מוּךְ" (mukh) is used here, indicating a state of poverty or financial decline. This reflects the reality of economic hardship that could befall anyone, reminding the Israelites of the vulnerability inherent in human life. It also highlights God's concern for the poor and His provision for their welfare through the laws He established.

and sells some of his property
The act of selling property, particularly land, was a significant decision in ancient Israel, as land was a primary source of sustenance and identity. The Hebrew term "מָכַר" (makar) implies a transaction that is often a last resort due to financial distress. This phrase points to the gravity of the situation and the need for a compassionate response from the community.

his nearest kinsman
The "nearest kinsman" or "goel" in Hebrew, is a key figure in the redemption process. The term "גֹּאֵל" (goel) refers to a family member who has the responsibility to act on behalf of a relative in need. This role is deeply rooted in the cultural and legal traditions of Israel, reflecting God's design for familial support and redemption.

is to come and redeem
The concept of "redeem" is central to the biblical narrative, with the Hebrew word "גָּאַל" (ga'al) meaning to buy back or restore. This action is not merely a financial transaction but a profound act of restoration and mercy, mirroring God's redemptive work for His people. It underscores the theme of redemption that runs throughout Scripture, pointing ultimately to Christ's redemptive work.

what his brother has sold
This phrase emphasizes the restoration of what was lost due to poverty. The act of redemption restores the brother's inheritance and dignity, ensuring that the family line and its connection to the land are preserved. It reflects God's justice and mercy, ensuring that His people live in a society marked by compassion and equity.

(25) If thy brother be waxen poor, and hath sold . . . --As poverty is the only reason which the Law here supposes might lead one to part with his field, the authorities during the second Temple concluded, and hence enacted, that it is not allowable for any one to sell his patrimony on speculation. This will account for the horror which Naboth expressed to Ahab of selling his patrimony: "The Lord forbid it me that I should give the inheritance of my fathers to thee" (1Kings 21:3).

And if any of his kin come to redeem it, then shall he redeem.--Better, then his nearest kinsman shall come and redeem. If he has thus been compelled by pressure of poverty to sell part of his land, then it is the duty of the nearest relation, or, as the original literally denotes, "the redeemer that is nearest to him," to redeem the property which his impoverished relative has been obliged to sell. The expression "redeemer" is applied in Hebrew to one who, by virtue of being the nearest of kin, had not only to redeem the patrimony of the family, but to marry the childless widow of his brother (Ruth 3:13), and avenge the blood of his relative (Numbers 35:19-28; Deuteronomy 19:6-12).

Verses 25-28. - The right of redemption of land sold continued always alive, and might be exercised by the original owner or his kinsman. If not exercised, the owner returned into his possession at any rate in the jubilee year. If a man had to sell his land, he was bound to offer it to his nearest kinsman first (see Jeremiah 32:7, 8).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
If
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

your brother
אָחִ֔יךָ (’ā·ḥî·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 251: A brother, )

becomes impoverished
יָמ֣וּךְ (yā·mūḵ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4134: To be low or depressed, to grow poor

and sells
וּמָכַ֖ר (ū·mā·ḵar)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4376: To sell

some of his property,
מֵאֲחֻזָּת֑וֹ (mê·’ă·ḥuz·zā·ṯōw)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 272: Something seized, a possession

his nearest
הַקָּרֹ֣ב (haq·qā·rōḇ)
Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7138: Near

of kin
גֹֽאֲלוֹ֙ (ḡō·’ă·lōw)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1350: To redeem, act as kinsman

may come
וּבָ֤א (ū·ḇā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

and redeem
וְגָאַ֕ל (wə·ḡā·’al)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1350: To redeem, act as kinsman

what his brother
אָחִֽיו׃ (’ā·ḥîw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 251: A brother, )

has sold.
מִמְכַּ֥ר (mim·kar)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4465: Merchandise, a selling


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OT Law: Leviticus 25:25 If your brother becomes poor and sells (Le Lv Lev.)
Leviticus 25:24
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