In thee have they taken gifts to shed blood; thou hast taken usury and increase, and thou hast greedily gained of thy neighbours by extortion, and hast forgotten me, saith the Lord GOD.
Behold, here I [am]: witness against me before the LORD, and before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I received [any] bribe to blind mine eyes therewith? and I will restore it you.
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Commentary for Leviticus 25:14
1. **Themes:**
- **Economic Justice:** The verse emphasizes fairness in economic transactions, ensuring that buyers and sellers deal with each other honestly and without exploitation.
- **Ethical Conduct:** It underscores the ethical imperative to treat others with respect and integrity in all business dealings.
- **Reciprocity and Mutual Respect:** The command to not oppress one another implies a reciprocal duty to consider the well-being of others as one would one's own.
2. **Historical Context:**
- **The Year of Jubilee:** Leviticus 25 outlines the Year of Jubilee, which occurred every 50 years, as a time when land that had been sold reverted to its original owners, and debts were forgiven. This system was designed to prevent the perpetual alienation of property and to ensure that each family retained its inheritance within the tribe.
- **Ancient Israelite Society:** The Israelites were instructed to live in a way that reflected their covenant relationship with God. This included how they managed their property and interacted economically. The laws were given to Moses by God on Mount Sinai and were part of the broader legal and moral framework for the Israelite community, which was agrarian and tribal.
- **Social Equity:** The verse reflects a concern for social equity, a theme that runs throughout the Pentateuch. It seeks to mitigate the development of severe disparities in wealth and power that could undermine the community's fabric.
In summary, Leviticus 25:14 is part of a larger section of laws that aim to establish a just and equitable society among the Israelites. It specifically addresses fairness in economic exchanges, reflecting the broader themes of economic justice, ethical conduct, and mutual respect that are integral to the moral vision of the Torah.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
Strong's Number: H4376 There are 74 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: מָכַר Transliteration: mâkar Pronunciation: maw-kar' Description: a primitive root; to sell, literally (as merchandise, a daughter in marriage, into slavery), or figuratively (to surrender); [idiom] at all, sell (away, -er, self).
Strong's Number: H4465 There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: מִמְכָּר Transliteration: mimkâr Pronunciation: mim-kawr' Description: from מָכַר; merchandise; abstractly, a selling; [idiom] ought, (that which cometh of) sale, that which...sold, ware.
Strong's Number: H5997 There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: עָמִית Transliteration: ʻâmîyth Pronunciation: aw-meeth' Description: from a primitive root meaning to associate; companionship; hence (concretely) a comrade or kindred man; another, fellow, neighbour.
Strong's Number: H7069 There are 76 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: קָנָה Transliteration: qânâh Pronunciation: kaw-naw' Description: a primitive root; to erect, i.e. create; by extension, to procure, especially by purchase (causatively, sell); by implication to own; attain, buy(-er), teach to keep cattle, get, provoke to jealousy, possess(-or), purchase, recover, redeem, [idiom] surely, [idiom] verily.
Strong's Number: H3027 There are 1447 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: יָד Transliteration: yâd Pronunciation: yawd Description: a primitive word; in distinction from כַּף, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of applications, both literally and figuratively, both proximate and remote (as follows); a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),; ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves.
Strong's Number: H3238 There are 20 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: יָנָה Transliteration: yânâh Pronunciation: yaw-naw' Description: a primitive root; to rage or be violent; by implication, to suppress, to maltreat; destroy, (thrust out by) oppress(-ing, -ion, -or), proud, vex, do violence.
Strong's Number: H376 There are 1507 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: אִישׁ Transliteration: ʼîysh Pronunciation: eesh Description: contracted for אֱנוֹשׁ (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation); also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare אִשָּׁה.
Strong's Number: H251 There are 636 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: אָח Transliteration: ʼâch Pronunciation: awkh Description: a primitive word; a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance (like father)); another, brother(-ly); kindred, like, other. Compare also the proper names beginning with 'Ah-' or 'Ahi-'.