Definition and Origin:
The term "Jubilees" refers to a significant concept in the biblical tradition, primarily found in the Old Testament. The word "Jubilee" is derived from the Hebrew word "yovel," which means "ram's horn" or "trumpet." The Jubilee year is a special year of remission of sins and universal pardon. It is described in Leviticus 25 and is part of the Mosaic Law given to the Israelites.

Biblical References:
The primary biblical reference to the Jubilee is found in Leviticus 25:8-13 : "You are to count off seven sabbaths of years—seven times seven years—so that the seven sabbaths of years amount to forty-nine years. Then you shall sound the ram’s horn abroad on the tenth day of the seventh month; on the Day of Atonement you shall sound the horn throughout your land. So you are to consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty in the land for all its inhabitants. It shall be a Jubilee for you; each of you is to return to his family property and each to his own clan. The fiftieth year will be a Jubilee for you; you are not to sow or reap what grows by itself or harvest the untended vines. For it is a Jubilee; it shall be holy to you. You may eat only the produce from the field. In this Year of Jubilee, each of you shall return to his own property."

Purpose and Significance:
The Jubilee year served several purposes in ancient Israelite society. It was a time of economic and social reset, where land that had been sold was returned to its original family owners, and Hebrew slaves were set free. This practice underscored the belief that the land ultimately belonged to God and that the Israelites were merely stewards of His creation. The Jubilee was a reminder of God's provision and sovereignty, emphasizing themes of redemption, restoration, and justice.

Theological Implications:
The Jubilee year is rich with theological significance. It prefigures the ultimate redemption and liberation found in Jesus Christ. In Luke 4:18-19 , Jesus reads from the scroll of Isaiah, proclaiming, "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." This passage is often interpreted as Jesus announcing the fulfillment of the Jubilee in His ministry, offering spiritual freedom and restoration.

Historical Observance:
While the Jubilee was commanded in the Mosaic Law, there is limited historical evidence regarding its consistent observance by the Israelites. The complexities of implementing such a system, especially in later periods of Israel's history, may have contributed to its sporadic practice. Nonetheless, the concept remained a powerful symbol of God's justice and mercy.

Jubilees in Jewish Tradition:
In addition to the biblical Jubilee, the term "Jubilees" also refers to an ancient Jewish text, the Book of Jubilees, which is not part of the canonical Bible but is considered a significant work in Jewish tradition. This text, sometimes called "Lesser Genesis," retells biblical history from Genesis to Exodus, emphasizing the importance of the Jubilee cycles.

Contemporary Relevance:
The principles of the Jubilee continue to inspire discussions on economic justice, debt forgiveness, and social equity in modern times. The idea of a periodic reset to address systemic inequalities resonates with contemporary movements advocating for social and economic reform.

Conclusion:
The Jubilee remains a profound biblical concept, symbolizing God's desire for justice, mercy, and restoration. Its themes are woven throughout Scripture, pointing to the ultimate redemption offered through Christ.BOOK OF JUBILEES

See APOCALYPTIC LITERATURE; APOCRYPHA.

JUBILEES, BOOK OF

See APOCALYPTIC LITERATURE.

The Book of Jubilees
... III. LEGENDARY. THE BOOK OF JUBILEES. The Book of Jubilees, or the Little
Genesis, is mentioned by name continually in the writings ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the book of jubilees.htm

Ten Reasons Demonstrating the Commandment of the Sabbath to be ...
... make a week, four weeks a month, twelve months a year; so seven years make a Sabbath
of years; seven Sabbaths of years make a jubilee; eighty jubilees, or four ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/ten reasons demonstrating the commandment.htm

Note by the American Editor.
... Concerning the "Book of Enoch," pp.7 and 302; see Westcott, Study of the Gospels
(London, 1867), p.109, a reference to the Book of Jubilees, and its lack of ...
/.../various/the testaments of the twelve patriarchs/note by the american editor.htm

Appendix i. Pseudepigraphic Writings
... Another work of that class - Little Genesis,' or The Book of Jubilees' - has been
preserved to us in its Ethiopic translation (though a Latin version of part ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix i pseudepigraphic writings.htm

The Testament of Judah Concerning Fortitude, and Love of Money ...
... See Joshua 15:34; xvi. 8; xvii. 8; 1 Chronicles 2:43. Cf. Thapha, Jubilees, 34.
[96] Cd. Oxon. reads heteran; but cf. Aresa, Jubilees, 34. [97] Cf. ...
/.../iv the testament of judah concerning.htm

Introduction.
... Its chief representative is the Book of Jubilees, or Micro-Genesis, an enlarged
account of Biblical history down to the institution of the Passover, with the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/introduction.htm

Brief Outline of Ancient Jewish Theological Literature
... Some of the fathers referred to a work called "Lesser Genesis," or the "Book of
Jubilees." This had been lost to theological literature, till again discovered ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 18 brief outline of.htm

Psalm XLIV.
... For we see whom Thou hast made over; what Thou hast received, we have not seen.
"And there was no multitude in their jubilees." [1339] For when the Christians ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xliv.htm

The Old Faith Preparing for the New - Development of Hellenist ...
... as well as the oldest of these books are those known as the Book of Enoch, the
Sibylline Oracles, the Psalter of Solomon, and the Book of Jubilees, or Little ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter iii the old faith.htm

Dancing.
... to the god of the country. Their jubilees were always attended with hymn-singing
and dancing. The Jewish records make frequent mention ...
/.../judy/questionable amusements and worthy substitutes/iv dancing.htm

Jubilees
Jubilees. Jubilee, Jubilees. Jucal . Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia BOOK
OF JUBILEES. See APOCALYPTIC LITERATURE; APOCRYPHA. JUBILEES, BOOK OF. ...
/j/jubilees.htm - 6k

Tobit
... Marshall (HDB, IV, 789) thinks that the author of Tobit was acquainted with the
Book of Jubilees, but he really proves no more than that both have many ...
/t/tobit.htm - 34k

Salvation (386 Occurrences)
... is shown by Matthew 3:9. The idea of a special privilege of Israel, however, of
course pervades all the literature, Sibylline Oracles 5 and Jubilees being the ...
/s/salvation.htm - 67k

Apocalyptic
... 4) Date II. LEGENDARY WORKS The Book of Jubilees: (1) Summary; (2) Structure;
(3) Language; (4) Date III. PSALMIC PSEUDEPGRAPHA ...
/a/apocalyptic.htm - 42k

Literature (2 Occurrences)
... 4) Date II. LEGENDARY WORKS The Book of Jubilees: (1) Summary; (2) Structure;
(3) Language; (4) Date III. PSALMIC PSEUDEPGRAPHA ...
/l/literature.htm - 82k

Jucal (1 Occurrence)

/j/jucal.htm - 6k

Life (6001 Occurrences)
... of books, that are in God's keeping, and upon which the final judgment is to be
based (Daniel 7:10; Daniel 12:1 Revelation 20:12, 15; compare Book Jubilees 39:6 ...
/l/life.htm - 51k

Little (2458 Occurrences)
... The Hebrew term kibhrah is also found in Phoenician inscriptions as a measure of
distance. LITTLE GENESIS. See BOOK OF JUBILEES. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/l/little.htm - 8k

Watcher (2 Occurrences)
... watchers" is much elaborated. In Jubilees they are regarded as angels sent
to instruct mankind in righteousness. In Enoch they sometimes ...
/w/watcher.htm - 7k

Weeks (17 Occurrences)
... See DANIEL; JUBILEES, BOOK OF. James Orr. WEEKS, FEAST OF. See PENTECOST. WEEKS,
SEVENTY. See SEVENTY WEEKS. Multi-Version Concordance Weeks (17 Occurrences). ...
/w/weeks.htm - 16k

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