What is the meaning of Leviticus 25:53?

He shall be treated like a man hired from year to year

• The verse directs that an Israelite who has become indebted and sold himself to a foreigner is to be viewed as a paid laborer, not a property asset. This echoes Leviticus 25:40, where God says, “He shall stay with you as a hired worker or temporary resident until the Year of Jubilee.”

• “From year to year” signals regular, fair compensation and the possibility of release, paralleling Deuteronomy 15:18, where a released servant’s value is compared to “twice the wages of a hired hand.”

• The hired-hand model reminds God’s people that even in difficult economic circumstances, every Israelite retains covenant dignity. Job 7:1–2 depicts a hired worker eagerly awaiting wages; likewise, the indebted Israelite anticipates restoration, not endless bondage.

• By prescribing this treatment, the Lord protects family structures and prevents generational servitude, preparing for the ultimate freedom of the Jubilee (Leviticus 25:10).

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but a foreign owner must not rule over him harshly in your sight

• The command confronts any temptation to abuse power. “You shall not rule over him harshly, but you shall fear your God” (Leviticus 25:43) uses the same warning, grounding fair treatment in reverence for the Lord.

• Israel has experienced oppression firsthand (Exodus 1:13–14). God now requires His people to ensure no one repeats Egypt’s cruelty—especially “in your sight,” meaning the community must intervene if mistreatment arises (Jeremiah 34:9–10).

• Practical safeguards:

– Regular evaluation of working conditions (Leviticus 25:52).

– Relatives empowered to redeem the servant at any time (Leviticus 25:49).

– Jubilee as a final guarantee of freedom (Leviticus 25:54).

• This standard foreshadows Christ’s call to leadership marked by service, not domination (Mark 10:42–45).

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summary

Leviticus 25:53 reassures God’s people that economic hardship does not cancel their covenant worth. The indebted Israelite is to receive fair wages and humane treatment, never oppressive rule. These safeguards reflect God’s character—just, compassionate, and committed to redemption—and point to the ultimate liberation found in Christ.