Leviticus 25:16

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

According to the multitude of years thou shalt increase the price thereof, and according to the fewness of years thou shalt diminish the price of it: for [according] to the number [of the years] of the fruits doth he sell unto thee.

Complete Jewish Bible:

If the number of years remaining is large, you will raise the price; if few years remain, you will lower it; because what he is really selling you is the number of crops to be produced.

Berean Standard Bible:

You shall increase the price in proportion to a greater number of years, or decrease it in proportion to a lesser number of years; for he is selling you a given number of harvests.

American Standard Version:

According to the multitude of the years thou shalt increase the price thereof, and according to the fewness of the years thou shalt diminish the price of it; for the number of the crops doth he sell unto thee.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

According^{H6310} to the multitude^{H7230} of years^{H8141} thou shalt increase^{H7235} the price^{H4736} thereof, and according^{H6310} to the fewness^{H4591} of years^{H8141} thou shalt diminish^{H4591} the price^{H4736} of it: for according to the number^{H4557} of the years of the fruits^{H8393} doth he sell^{H4376} unto thee.

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Commentary for Leviticus 25:16

1. **Themes:**
- **Economic Justice:** The verse emphasizes fairness in economic transactions, particularly in the sale of agricultural produce. It stipulates that the price of goods should correspond to the amount of time remaining until the next harvest, ensuring that neither the seller nor the buyer is taken advantage of.
- **Sabbatical Year:** This command is part of the broader context of the Sabbatical year (Shemittah), which occurs every seventh year in ancient Israel. During this year, the land was to lie fallow, and debts were to be released. The instructions in Leviticus 25 are designed to regulate the economy in the years leading up to the Shemittah.
- **Divine Providence:** The principle behind the pricing adjustments acknowledges God's sovereignty over the land's productivity and the importance of trusting in His provision, rather than hoarding or overpricing goods out of fear or greed.

2. **Historical Context:**
- **Agrarian Society:** Ancient Israel was primarily an agrarian society, and the economy was heavily dependent on agriculture. The laws given in Leviticus were meant to ensure the stability and fairness of this economy.
- **Social Welfare:** The detailed economic instructions, including those about pricing produce, were part of a larger system of social welfare designed to prevent the extreme accumulation of wealth and land, thus ensuring that all members of the community could maintain their livelihoods.
- **Covenant Obligations:** These laws were also a part of the covenantal obligations that Israel agreed to when they entered into a special relationship with God at Sinai. Adherence to these laws was a way of demonstrating faithfulness to the covenant and trust in God's law as the foundation for a just society.

In summary, Leviticus 25:16 reflects the themes of economic justice, divine providence, and social welfare within the context of an agrarian society governed by covenantal laws. It is part of a broader set of regulations concerning the Sabbatical year, designed to maintain a fair and equitable economic system in ancient Israel.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H6310
   There are 460 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פֶּה
   Transliteration: peh
   Pronunciation: peh
   Description: from פָּאָה; the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition) according to; accord(-ing as, -ing to), after, appointment, assent, collar, command(-ment), [idiom] eat, edge, end, entry, [phrase] file, hole, [idiom] in, mind, mouth, part, portion, [idiom] (should) say(-ing), sentence, skirt, sound, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, tenor, [idiom] to, [phrase] two-edged, wish, word.
   
2. Strong's Number: H7230
   There are 149 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רֹב
   Transliteration: rôb
   Pronunciation: robe
   Description: from רָבַב; abundance (in any respect); abundance(-antly), all, [idiom] common (sort), excellent, great(-ly, -ness, number), huge, be increased, long, many, more in number, most, much, multitude, plenty(-ifully), [idiom] very (age).
   
3. Strong's Number: H8141
   There are 647 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁנֶה
   Transliteration: shâneh
   Pronunciation: shaw-neh'
   Description: (in plural or (feminine) שָׁנָה; from שָׁנָה; a year (as a revolution of time); [phrase] whole age, [idiom] long, [phrase] old, year([idiom] -ly).
   
4. Strong's Number: H7235
   There are 211 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רָבָה
   Transliteration: râbâh
   Pronunciation: raw-baw'
   Description: a primitive root; to increase (in whatever respect); (bring in) abundance ([idiom] -antly), [phrase] archer (by mistake for רָבַב), be in authority, bring up, [idiom] continue, enlarge, excel, exceeding(-ly), be full of, (be, make) great(-er, -ly, [idiom] -ness), grow up, heap, increase, be long, (be, give, have, make, use) many (a time), (any, be, give, give the, have) more (in number), (ask, be, be so, gather, over, take, yield) much (greater, more), (make to) multiply, nourish, plenty(-eous), [idiom] process (of time), sore, store, thoroughly, very.
   
5. Strong's Number: H4736
   There are 13 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מִקְנָה
   Transliteration: miqnâh
   Pronunciation: mik-naw'
   Description: feminine of מִקְנֶה; properly, a buying, i.e. acquisition; concretely, a piece of property (land or living); also the sum paid; (he that is) bought, possession, piece, purchase.
   
6. Strong's Number: H4591
   There are 21 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מָעַט
   Transliteration: mâʻaṭ
   Pronunciation: maw-at'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to pare off, i.e. lessen; intransitively, to be (or causatively, to make) small or few (or figuratively, ineffective); suffer to decrease, diminish, (be, [idiom] borrow a, give, make) few (in number, -ness), gather least (little), be (seem) little, ([idiom] give the) less, be minished, bring to nothing.
   
7. Strong's Number: H4557
   There are 129 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מִסְפָּר
   Transliteration: miçpâr
   Pronunciation: mis-pawr'
   Description: from סָפַר; a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration; [phrase] abundance, account, [idiom] all, [idiom] few, (in-) finite, (certain) number(-ed), tale, telling, [phrase] time.
   
8. Strong's Number: H8393
   There are 40 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: תְּבוּאָה
   Transliteration: tᵉbûwʼâh
   Pronunciation: teb-oo-aw'
   Description: from בּוֹא; income, i.e. produce (literally or figuratively); fruit, gain, increase, revenue.
   
9. 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).