Bible Commentaries
Leviticus 25

Introduction

Overview

Leviticus 25:1, The sabbath of the seventh year; Leviticus 25:8, The jubilee in the fiftieth year; Leviticus 25:14, Of oppression; Leviticus 25:18, A blessing of obedience; Leviticus 25:23, The redemption of land; Leviticus 25:29, Of houses; Leviticus 25:35, Compassion to the poor; Leviticus 25:39, The usage of bondmen; Leviticus 25:47, The redemption of servants.

Verse 1

Exodus 19:1, Numbers 1:1, Numbers 10:11, Numbers 10:12, Galatians 4:24, Galatians 4:25

Reciprocal: Leviticus 26:46 - General Numbers 3:1 - spake Galatians 4:10 - General

Verse 2

When ye: Leviticus 14:34, Deuteronomy 32:8, Deuteronomy 32:49, Deuteronomy 34:4, Psalms 24:1, Psalms 24:2, Psalms 115:16, Isaiah 8:8, Jeremiah 27:5

keep: Heb. rest, Leviticus 23:32, *marg.

a sabbath: Leviticus 26:34, Leviticus 26:35, Exodus 23:10, 2 Chronicles 36:21

Reciprocal: Genesis 2:3 - blessed Exodus 23:11 - the seventh Exodus 31:13 - Verily Leviticus 23:14 - eat Numbers 15:2 - General Numbers 35:10 - General Deuteronomy 15:1 - General

Verse 3

Reciprocal: Genesis 2:3 - blessed Exodus 23:10 - six years Leviticus 23:14 - eat

Verse 4

Leviticus 25:20-23, Leviticus 26:34, Leviticus 26:35, Leviticus 26:43, Exodus 23:10, Exodus 23:11, 2 Chronicles 36:21

Reciprocal: Leviticus 16:31 - General Leviticus 25:21 - three years 2 Kings 19:29 - Ye shall eat Nehemiah 10:31 - and that we Isaiah 37:30 - Ye shall Ezekiel 20:12 - I gave

Verse 5

groweth: 2 Kings 19:29, Isaiah 37:30

thy vine undressed: Heb. the separation

Reciprocal: Leviticus 25:11 - ye shall

Verse 6

Exodus 23:11, Acts 2:44, Acts 4:32, Acts 4:34, Acts 4:35

Reciprocal: Leviticus 19:10 - thou shalt Leviticus 25:12 - General

Verse 7

Reciprocal: Leviticus 25:12 - General

Verse 8

Leviticus 23:15, Genesis 2:2

Reciprocal: Leviticus 4:6 - seven times Leviticus 25:21 - three years Joshua 6:4 - seven times Daniel 9:24 - Seventy weeks Luke 4:19 - General

Verse 9

jubilee: Leviticus 25:10-12, Leviticus 27:17, Leviticus 27:24, Numbers 36:4

of the jubilee to sound: Heb. loud of sound, Numbers 10:10, Psalms 89:15, Acts 13:38, Acts 13:39, Romans 10:18, Romans 15:19, 2 Corinthians 5:19-21, 1 Thessalonians 1:8

the day: Leviticus 16:20, Leviticus 16:30, Leviticus 23:24, Leviticus 23:27

Reciprocal: Joshua 6:4 - trumpets of rams' Judges 7:8 - trumpets Isaiah 27:13 - the great Isaiah 61:2 - the acceptable

Verse 10

proclaim: Exodus 20:2, Ezra 1:3, Psalms 146:7, Isaiah 49:9, Isaiah 49:24, Isaiah 49:25, Isaiah 61:1-3, Isaiah 63:4, Jeremiah 34:8, Jeremiah 34:13-17, Zechariah 9:11, Zechariah 9:12, Luke 1:74, Luke 4:16-21, John 8:32-36, Romans 6:17, Romans 6:18, 2 Corinthians 3:17, Galatians 4:25-31, Galatians 5:1, Galatians 5:13, 1 Peter 2:16, 2 Peter 2:19, 2 Peter 2:20

every man: Leviticus 25:13, Leviticus 25:26-28, Leviticus 25:33, Leviticus 25:34, Leviticus 27:17-24

ye shall return: Numbers 36:2-9

Reciprocal: Leviticus 25:9 - jubilee Leviticus 25:23 - The land Leviticus 25:41 - shall return Leviticus 26:34 - General Leviticus 27:21 - when Leviticus 27:22 - his possession Numbers 10:10 - in the day Numbers 36:4 - General Ezekiel 46:17 - to the year

Verse 11

A jubilee: Respecting the literal meaning of the word יובל, yobel, or yovel, critics are not agreed. The most natural derivation of the word seems to be from הוביל, hovil, the Hiphil form of יבל, yaval, to recall, restore, or bring back, because this year restored all slaves to their liberty, and brought back all alienated estates to their primitive owners. Accordingly the LXX render it here בצוףיע, a "remission"; and Josephus says it signifies וכוץטוסיבם, liberty. Leviticus 27:17

ye shall: Leviticus 25:5-7

Reciprocal: Exodus 23:11 - the seventh Joshua 6:4 - trumpets of rams'

Verse 12

Leviticus 25:6, Leviticus 25:7

Reciprocal: Exodus 16:22 - General Exodus 23:11 - the seventh

Verse 13

Leviticus 25:10, Leviticus 27:17-24, Numbers 36:4

Reciprocal: Leviticus 25:28 - and in the Galatians 4:10 - General

Verse 14

Leviticus 25:17, Leviticus 19:13, Deuteronomy 16:19, Deuteronomy 16:20, Judges 4:3, 1 Samuel 12:3, 1 Samuel 12:4, 2 Chronicles 16:10, Nehemiah 9:36, Nehemiah 9:37, Job 20:19, Job 20:20, Psalms 10:18, Proverbs 14:31, Proverbs 21:13, Proverbs 22:16, Proverbs 28:3, Proverbs 28:8, Proverbs 28:16, Ecclesiastes 5:8, Isaiah 1:17, Isaiah 3:12-15, Isaiah 5:7, Isaiah 33:15, Isaiah 58:6, Jeremiah 22:17, Ezekiel 22:7, Ezekiel 22:12, Ezekiel 22:13, Amos 5:11, Amos 5:12, Amos 8:4-7, Micah 2:2, Micah 2:3, Micah 6:10-12, Micah 7:3, Luke 3:14, 1 Corinthians 6:8, James 5:1-5

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 21:2 - Give me Ezekiel 18:7 - hath not 1 Thessalonians 4:6 - defraud

Verse 15

Leviticus 27:18-23, Philippians 4:5

Reciprocal: Numbers 9:14 - General

Verse 16

Reciprocal: Leviticus 27:18 - General

Verse 17

shall not: Leviticus 25:14

fear: Leviticus 25:43, Leviticus 19:14, Leviticus 19:32, Genesis 20:11, Genesis 22:12, Genesis 39:9, Genesis 42:18, Exodus 20:20, Deuteronomy 25:18, 1 Samuel 12:24, 2 Chronicles 19:7, Nehemiah 5:9, Nehemiah 5:15, Psalms 19:9, Proverbs 1:7, Jeremiah 22:16, Malachi 3:5, Luke 12:5, Acts 9:31, Acts 10:2, Acts 10:35, Romans 3:18, Romans 11:20

Reciprocal: Leviticus 25:36 - fear 1 Thessalonians 4:6 - defraud

Verse 18

Wherefore: Leviticus 19:37, Psalms 103:18

and ye: Leviticus 26:3-12, Deuteronomy 12:10, Deuteronomy 28:1-14, Deuteronomy 33:12, Deuteronomy 33:28, Psalms 4:8, Proverbs 1:33, Jeremiah 7:3-7, Jeremiah 23:6, Jeremiah 25:5, Jeremiah 33:16, Ezekiel 33:24-26, Ezekiel 33:29, Ezekiel 34:25-28, Ezekiel 36:24-28

Reciprocal: Leviticus 26:5 - dwell Ezekiel 28:26 - and they shall dwell

Verse 19

Leviticus 26:5, Psalms 67:6, Psalms 85:12, Isaiah 30:23, Isaiah 65:21, Isaiah 65:22, Ezekiel 34:25-28, Ezekiel 36:30, Joel 2:24, Joel 2:26

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 12:10 - ye dwell Psalms 4:8 - for Ezekiel 28:26 - and they shall dwell

Verse 20

Numbers 11:4, Numbers 11:13, 2 Kings 6:15-17, 2 Kings 7:2, 2 Chronicles 25:9, Psalms 78:19, Psalms 78:20, Isaiah 1:2, Matthew 6:25-34, Matthew 8:26, Luke 12:29, Philippians 4:6, Hebrews 13:5, Hebrews 13:6

Reciprocal: Exodus 23:11 - the seventh Leviticus 25:4 - General 2 Kings 19:29 - Ye shall eat Isaiah 37:30 - Ye shall Matthew 6:31 - What shall we eat Matthew 6:33 - and all

Verse 21

I will: As it is here graciously promised, that the sixth year was to bring forth fruits for three years, not merely for two, it is evident that both the sabbatical year and the year of jubilee were distinctly provided for. They were not to sow from the sixth to the eighth year, omitting two seed times; nor reap from the sixth to the ninth, omitting two harvests. No legislator, unless conscious of being divinely commissioned, would have committed himself by enacting such a law as this; nor would any people have submitted to receive it, except in consequence of the fullest conviction that a divine authority had dictated it. It therefore stands as a proof that Moses acted by the express direction of the Almighty, and that the people were fully persuaded of the reality of his divine mission by the miracles he wrought. Genesis 26:12, Genesis 41:47, Exodus 16:29, Deuteronomy 28:3, Deuteronomy 28:8, Psalms 133:3, Proverbs 10:22, 2 Corinthians 9:10

three years: Leviticus 25:4, Leviticus 25:8-11

Reciprocal: Exodus 16:5 - prepare Leviticus 26:4 - the land 2 Chronicles 31:10 - the Lord Psalms 42:8 - command Matthew 6:33 - and all Luke 13:7 - three Hebrews 6:7 - receiveth

Verse 22

eighth: 2 Kings 19:29, Isaiah 37:30

old fruit: Joshua 5:11, Joshua 5:12

Reciprocal: Exodus 16:5 - prepare Exodus 16:22 - General Exodus 23:11 - the seventh Leviticus 26:10 - General

Verse 23

The land: Leviticus 25:10, 1 Kings 21:3, Ezekiel 48:14

for ever: or, to be quite cut off, Heb. for cutting off, for the land. Deuteronomy 32:43, 2 Chronicles 7:20, Psalms 24:1, Psalms 85:1, Isaiah 8:8, Hosea 9:3, Joel 2:18, Joel 3:2

for ye are: Genesis 47:9, 1 Chronicles 29:15, Psalms 39:12, Psalms 119:19, Hebrews 11:9-13, 1 Peter 2:11

Reciprocal: Genesis 23:4 - stranger Exodus 21:6 - for ever Leviticus 25:34 - General Numbers 36:4 - General 1 Samuel 1:22 - for ever Jeremiah 32:7 - for Ezekiel 45:1 - ye shall offer

Verse 24

redemption: Leviticus 25:27, Leviticus 25:31, Leviticus 25:51-53, Romans 8:23, 1 Corinthians 1:30, Ephesians 1:7, Ephesians 1:14, Ephesians 4:30

Reciprocal: Ezekiel 7:13 - the seller

Verse 25

Ruth 2:20, Ruth 3:2, Ruth 3:9, Ruth 3:12, Ruth 4:4-6, Jeremiah 32:7, Jeremiah 32:8, 2 Corinthians 8:9, Hebrews 2:13, Hebrews 2:14, Revelation 5:9

Reciprocal: Leviticus 25:35 - thy brother Leviticus 25:48 - General Leviticus 27:22 - his possession Numbers 5:8 - have no Numbers 27:11 - kinsman

Verse 26

himself be able to redeem it: Heb. his hand hath attained, and found sufficiency, Leviticus 5:7, *marg.

Reciprocal: Leviticus 25:10 - every man Leviticus 25:47 - sojourner or stranger wax rich Leviticus 25:49 - or if he be Numbers 5:8 - have no Deuteronomy 16:10 - a tribute Judges 9:33 - as thou shalt find

Verse 27

Leviticus 25:50-53

Reciprocal: Leviticus 25:24 - redemption Leviticus 27:18 - General

Verse 28

and in the: Leviticus 25:13

he shall: Isaiah 35:9, Isaiah 35:10, Jeremiah 32:15, 1 Corinthians 15:52-54, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 1 Peter 1:4, 1 Peter 1:5

Reciprocal: Leviticus 25:33 - shall go Leviticus 25:41 - shall return Leviticus 27:21 - when Leviticus 27:24 - General

Verse 29

A very proper difference is here made between houses in a city and houses in the country. The former might be redeemed any time in the course of a year; but after that time could not be redeemed, or go out with the Jubilee: the latter might be redeemed at any time; and if not redeemed must go out with the jubilee. The reason in both cases is sufficiently evident; the house in the city might be built merely for the purposes of trade or traffic - the house in the country was builded on, or attached to, the inheritance which God had divided to the respective families. It was therefore necessary that the same law should apply to the house as to the inheritance; which necessity did not exist with regard to the house in the city. And, as the house in the city might be purchased for the purpose of trade, it would be very inconvenient for the purchaser, when his business was established, to be obliged to remove.

Reciprocal: Genesis 24:55 - a few days Leviticus 27:14 - sanctify

Verse 31

they may be redeemed: Heb. redemption belongeth unto it, Psalms 49:7, Psalms 49:8

Reciprocal: Leviticus 25:24 - redemption Leviticus 27:21 - when Ezekiel 7:13 - the seller

Verse 32

the cities: As the Levites had no inheritance in Israel, but only cities to dwell in; and consequently the houses in these cities were all they could call their own, therefore they could not be ultimately alienated. Numbers 35:2-8, Joshua 21:1-45

Verse 33

a man purchase of the Levites: or, one of the Levites redeem them

shall go: Leviticus 25:28

for the houses: Numbers 18:20-24, Deuteronomy 18:1, Deuteronomy 18:2

Reciprocal: Leviticus 25:10 - every man Numbers 35:2 - General

Verse 34

Leviticus 25:23, Acts 4:36, Acts 4:37

Reciprocal: Leviticus 25:10 - every man 2 Chronicles 31:19 - the fields Jeremiah 32:7 - for

Verse 35

thy brother: Leviticus 25:25, Deuteronomy 15:7, Deuteronomy 15:8, Proverbs 14:20, Proverbs 14:21, Proverbs 17:5, Proverbs 19:17, Mark 14:7, John 12:8, 2 Corinthians 8:9, James 2:5, James 2:6

fallen in decay: Heb. his hand faileth

then: Psalms 37:26, Psalms 41:1, Psalms 112:5, Psalms 112:9, Proverbs 14:31, Luke 6:35, Acts 11:29, Romans 12:13, Romans 12:18, Romans 12:20, 2 Corinthians 9:1, 2 Corinthians 9:12-15, Galatians 2:10, 1 John 3:17

relieve: Heb. strengthen

a stranger: Leviticus 19:34, Exodus 23:9, Deuteronomy 10:18, Deuteronomy 10:19, Matthew 25:35, Hebrews 13:2

Reciprocal: Exodus 22:21 - vex a stranger Exodus 22:25 - General Leviticus 25:48 - General Deuteronomy 23:19 - General Nehemiah 5:1 - their brethren Nehemiah 5:3 - mortgaged Psalms 15:5 - putteth Proverbs 29:13 - meet Ezekiel 18:8 - hath not Ezekiel 22:12 - thou hast 1 Timothy 5:10 - if she have relieved

Verse 36

usury: Exodus 22:25, Deuteronomy 23:19, Deuteronomy 23:20, Nehemiah 5:7-10, Psalms 15:5, Proverbs 28:8, Ezekiel 18:8, Ezekiel 18:13, Ezekiel 18:17, Ezekiel 22:12

fear: Leviticus 25:17, Nehemiah 5:9, Nehemiah 5:15

Verse 38

which: Exodus 20:2

and to be: Leviticus 11:45, Leviticus 22:32, Leviticus 22:33, Numbers 15:41, Jeremiah 31:1, Jeremiah 31:33, Jeremiah 32:38, Hebrews 11:16

Reciprocal: Leviticus 26:13 - I am Leviticus 26:45 - whom I

Verse 39

be sold: Exodus 21:2, Exodus 22:3, Deuteronomy 15:12, 1 Kings 9:22, 2 Kings 4:1, Nehemiah 5:5, Jeremiah 34:14

compel him to serve as: Heb. serve thyself with him with the service of, etc. Leviticus 25:46, *marg. Exodus 1:14, Jeremiah 25:14, Jeremiah 27:7, Jeremiah 30:8

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 15:17 - for ever 2 Chronicles 8:9 - But of the 2 Chronicles 28:10 - keep Isaiah 50:1 - or which Jeremiah 34:8 - to proclaim Amos 8:6 - General Matthew 18:25 - commanded Ephesians 6:9 - ye Colossians 4:1 - give

Verse 40

Exodus 21:2, Exodus 21:3

Reciprocal: Exodus 21:6 - for ever Leviticus 25:50 - according to the time Leviticus 25:54 - then Deuteronomy 24:14 - General 2 Kings 4:1 - the creditor

Verse 41

then shall: Exodus 21:3, John 8:32, Romans 6:14, Titus 2:14

shall return: Leviticus 25:10, Leviticus 25:28

Reciprocal: Leviticus 25:54 - then

Verse 42

my servants: Leviticus 25:55, Romans 6:22, 1 Corinthians 7:21-23

as bondmen: Heb. with the sale of a bondman

Reciprocal: Leviticus 26:13 - I am Deuteronomy 15:13 - General Deuteronomy 20:11 - tributaries Isaiah 41:8 - thou John 8:33 - We be 1 Corinthians 7:23 - are

Verse 43

rule: Leviticus 25:46, Leviticus 25:53, Exodus 1:13, Exodus 1:14, Exodus 2:23, Exodus 3:7, Exodus 3:9, Exodus 5:14, Isaiah 47:6, Isaiah 58:3, Ephesians 6:9, Colossians 4:1

but shalt: Leviticus 25:17, Exodus 1:17, Exodus 1:21, Deuteronomy 25:18, Malachi 3:5

Reciprocal: Genesis 42:18 - I fear God Job 31:13 - the cause

Verse 44

Exodus 12:44, Psalms 2:8, Psalms 2:9, Isaiah 14:1, Isaiah 14:2, Revelation 2:26, Revelation 2:27

Reciprocal: Exodus 21:2 - an Hebrew Numbers 31:18 - keep alive for yourselves Deuteronomy 5:14 - thy manservant

Verse 45

Isaiah 56:3-6

Reciprocal: Exodus 21:2 - and in the Exodus 21:21 - General

Verse 46

And ye shall: Isaiah 14:2

they shall be your bondmen for ever: Heb. ye shall serve yourselves with them, Leviticus 25:39

ye shall not rule: Leviticus 25:43

Reciprocal: Genesis 24:60 - thy seed Exodus 1:14 - was with rigour Exodus 21:21 - General Job 31:13 - the cause

Verse 47

sojourner or stranger wax rich: Heb. the hand of a stranger, etc. obtain, etc. Leviticus 25:26, 1 Samuel 2:7, 1 Samuel 2:8, James 2:5

Reciprocal: Nehemiah 5:8 - redeemed

Verse 48

Leviticus 25:25, Leviticus 25:35, Nehemiah 5:5, Nehemiah 5:8, Galatians 4:4, Galatians 4:5, Hebrews 2:11-13

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 4:1 - the creditor Job 6:23 - Redeem Psalms 31:5 - thou

Verse 49

or if he be: Leviticus 25:26

Reciprocal: Numbers 27:11 - kinsman Jeremiah 32:7 - for

Verse 50

reckon: Leviticus 25:27

price of his sale: This was a very equitable law, both to the sojourner to whom the man was sold, and to the Israelite who had been sold. The Israelite might redeem himself, or one of his kindred might redeem him; but this must not be done to the prejudice of his master. They were therefore to reckon the years he must have served, from that time till the jubilee; and then taking the current wages of a servant, per year, at that time, multiply the remaining years by that sum, and the aggregate was to be given to his master for his redemption. The Jews hold that the kindred of such a person were bound, if in their power, to redeem him, lest he should be swallowed up among the heathen; and we find - Nehemiah 5:8 that this was done by the Jews on their return from the Babylonish captivity.

according to the time: Leviticus 25:40, Leviticus 25:53, Deuteronomy 15:18, Job 7:1, Job 7:2, Job 14:6, Isaiah 16:14, Isaiah 21:16

Reciprocal: Luke 4:19 - General

Verse 51

Reciprocal: Leviticus 25:24 - redemption Leviticus 27:18 - General

Verse 52

jubilee: The jubilee was a wonderful institution, and of great service to the religion, freedom, and independence of the Hebrews. It was calculated to prevent the rich from oppressing the poor, and reducing them to perpetual slavery; and to hinder their obtaining possession of all the lands by purchase, mortgage, or usurpation. It was further intended, that debts should not be multiplied too much, lest the poor should be entirely ruined; that slaves should not always continue in servitude; that personal liberty, equality of property, and the regular order of families might, as much as possible, be preserved; and that the people might thus be strongly attached to their country, lands, and inheritances.

Reciprocal: Leviticus 27:18 - General

Verse 53

Leviticus 25:43

Reciprocal: Exodus 1:14 - was with rigour Leviticus 25:50 - according to the time

Verse 54

in these years: or, by these means

then: Leviticus 25:40, Leviticus 25:41, Exodus 21:2, Exodus 21:3, Isaiah 49:9, Isaiah 49:25, Isaiah 52:3

Verse 55

my servants: Leviticus 25:42, Exodus 13:3, Exodus 20:2, Psalms 116:16, Isaiah 43:3, Luke 1:74, Luke 1:75, Romans 6:14, Romans 6:17, Romans 6:18, Romans 6:22, 1 Corinthians 7:22, 1 Corinthians 7:23, 1 Corinthians 9:19, 1 Corinthians 9:21, Galatians 5:13

Reciprocal: Leviticus 26:13 - I am