Topical Bible: Tax: Land Mortgaged For

◄ Tax: Land Mortgaged For ►

Topical Encyclopedia

In biblical times, the concept of land being mortgaged for tax purposes is closely tied to the socio-economic structures and legal practices of ancient Israel. The Bible provides insight into how land ownership and taxation were managed, particularly in the context of debt and servitude.

Biblical Context

The land in ancient Israel was considered a divine inheritance, allocated to the tribes and families as described in the Book of Joshua. This land was not merely a possession but a trust from God, meant to sustain the family and community. However, economic hardship could lead to situations where landowners mortgaged their land to pay taxes or debts.

Levitical Law and Jubilee

The Levitical law provided mechanisms to protect families from permanent loss of their inheritance. Leviticus 25 outlines the Year of Jubilee, a time every fifty years when mortgaged land was to be returned to the original family owners. This law served as a safeguard against perpetual poverty and loss of family heritage. Leviticus 25:23-24 states, "The land must not be sold permanently, because it is Mine, and you are but foreigners and sojourners with Me. Thus for every piece of property you possess, you must provide for the redemption of the land."

Nehemiah's Reforms

The Book of Nehemiah provides a narrative of land mortgaging due to tax burdens. During the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls, some Israelites mortgaged their fields, vineyards, and homes to pay the king's tax. Nehemiah 5:3-5 records their plight: "Others were saying, 'We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards, and our homes to get grain during the famine.' Still others were saying, 'We have borrowed money to pay the king’s tax on our fields and vineyards. We and our children are just like our countrymen and their children, yet we are subjecting our sons and daughters to slavery.'"

Nehemiah's response was to call for a restoration of the lands and the cancellation of debts, emphasizing the importance of community support and justice. This reflects the biblical principle of compassion and fairness in economic dealings.

Prophetic Critique

The prophets often criticized the exploitation of the poor and the unjust practices related to land and taxation. Isaiah and Amos, for example, condemned those who accumulated land at the expense of others, violating the spirit of the law. Isaiah 5:8 warns, "Woe to those who add house to house and join field to field until no place is left and you live alone in the land."

New Testament Perspective

In the New Testament, while the specific issue of land mortgaging for taxes is not directly addressed, the teachings of Jesus and the apostles emphasize the principles of justice, mercy, and care for the poor. Jesus' parables often highlight the dangers of wealth and the responsibility to use resources for the benefit of others, aligning with the Old Testament's concern for equitable treatment and the protection of family inheritances.

Conclusion

The biblical approach to land mortgaging for taxes underscores a balance between economic necessity and the preservation of family and community integrity. The laws and narratives reflect a divine concern for justice, mercy, and the protection of the vulnerable, principles that continue to resonate in discussions of economic ethics and social responsibility today.

Nave's Topical Index

Nehemiah 5:3,4
Some also there were that said, We have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy corn, because of the dearth.
Nave's Topical Index