Topical Encyclopedia The Year of Jubilee is a significant biblical concept found primarily in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Leviticus. It represents a time of liberation and restoration, deeply rooted in the covenantal relationship between God and the people of Israel. The Jubilee year is a profound expression of God's justice, mercy, and provision for His people.Biblical Foundation The primary scriptural reference for the Year of Jubilee is found in Leviticus 25:8-55. According to the Berean Standard Bible , the Jubilee is to be celebrated every fiftieth year: "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 are to sound the horn loudly on the tenth day of the seventh month; on the Day of Atonement, you shall sound it throughout your land. So 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 each of you to his clan" (Leviticus 25:8-10). Key Elements 1. Restoration of Property: One of the central features of the Jubilee year is the restoration of property. Land that had been sold due to economic hardship was to be returned to its original family owners. This ensured that the land, which was considered a divine inheritance, remained within the family lineage. "In this Year of Jubilee, each of you shall return to his own property" (Leviticus 25:13). 2. Freedom for Slaves: The Jubilee also mandated the release of Hebrew slaves. Those who had sold themselves into servitude due to debt were to be set free, reflecting God's deliverance of Israel from slavery in Egypt. "If your brother becomes destitute and sells himself to you, you must not force him into slave labor. He shall stay with you as a hired worker or temporary resident; he is to work for you until the Year of Jubilee. Then he and his children are to be released, and he may return to his clan and to the property of his fathers" (Leviticus 25:39-41). 3. Rest for the Land: The Jubilee year also provided rest for the land. No sowing or reaping was to occur, allowing the land to rejuvenate. This practice underscored the principle that the land ultimately belonged to God, and the Israelites were merely stewards. "You shall not sow your fields or reap the aftergrowth or harvest the untended vines" (Leviticus 25:11). Theological Significance The Year of Jubilee is a profound illustration of God's justice and mercy. It served as a reminder that all provisions come from God and that His people are to live in a manner that reflects His character. The Jubilee emphasized social equality, economic justice, and the importance of community and family. It was a time for resetting societal imbalances and restoring relationships. Christological Fulfillment In the New Testament, the concept of Jubilee finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. In Luke 4:18-19, Jesus reads from the scroll of Isaiah, proclaiming the "year of the Lord's favor," which many scholars interpret as a reference to the Jubilee. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus inaugurates a spiritual Jubilee, offering liberation from sin and the restoration of a right relationship with God. The Year of Jubilee remains a powerful symbol of hope and redemption, pointing to the ultimate restoration that God promises to His people through Christ. Smith's Bible Dictionary Year of Jubilee[JUBILEE, THE YEAR OF, YEAR OF] Library The Year of Jubilee. The Jubilee Proclaimed. Lenox. HM The Kinsman-Redeemer On the Jubilee of the Church Missionary Society. For the Jubilee of the Religious Tract Society, 1848 For the Sunday-School Jubilee, the Birthday of Robert Raikes, the ... The Sacred Officers and Sacred Occasions. Tunkers. Standing with the People Resources What is the Year of Jubilee? | GotQuestions.orgIn what year did Jesus die? | GotQuestions.org What year was Jesus Christ born? When was Jesus born? | GotQuestions.org Year: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Year: A Thousand, With the Lord is Like One Day Year: Age Computed By of Abraham Year: Age Computed By of Jacob Year: General Scriptures Concerning Year: Land to Rest for One, in Seven Year: Redemption of Houses Sold, Limited to One Year: Satan to be Bound for a Thousand Related Terms Peace-offering (46 Occurrences) Ar-ta-xerx'es (14 Occurrences) |
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