Leviticus 25:40

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

[But] as an hired servant, [and] as a sojourner, he shall be with thee, [and] shall serve thee unto the year of jubile:

Complete Jewish Bible:

Rather, you are to treat him like an employee or a tenant; he will work for you until the year of yovel.

Berean Standard Bible:

Let him stay with you as a hired worker or temporary resident; he is to work for you until the Year of Jubilee.

American Standard Version:

As a hired servant, and as a sojourner, he shall be with thee; he shall serve with thee unto the year of jubilee:

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

But as an hired servant^{H7916}, and as a sojourner^{H8453}, he shall be with thee, and shall serve^{H5647} thee unto the year^{H8141} of jubile^{H3104}:

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Leviticus 25:40

1. **Themes:**
- **Social Justice and Equality:** The verse emphasizes that Hebrew servants should not be treated as slaves but rather as hired workers or temporary residents with rights and dignity. This reflects a broader theme in the Bible of fairness and compassion towards the less fortunate and those in servitude.
- **The Year of Jubilee:** This was a cornerstone of Israel's social and economic system, occurring every 50th year. It mandated the release of all Hebrew servants, the return of ancestral lands to their original owners, and a general societal reset to prevent the accumulation of wealth and power in the hands of a few.
- **Economic Redistribution:** The Year of Jubilee was designed to prevent the development of a permanent underclass and to ensure that each family had the means to support themselves.

2. **Historical Context:**
- **Time Period:** The Book of Leviticus is set during the time of Moses, shortly after the Israelites' exodus from Egypt, around the 13th century BCE. The laws given in Leviticus were part of the covenant between God and Israel at Mount Sinai.
- **Cultural Context:** The laws in Leviticus, including those regarding servants, were revolutionary for the time, as they limited the term of servitude and provided for regular manumission. In the ancient Near East, debt slavery could be lifelong and hereditary.
- **Economic Context:** The Israelite economy was primarily agrarian, and land was the main source of wealth and security. The provisions in Leviticus 25 aimed to protect families from losing their land permanently due to debt or misfortune.

In summary, Leviticus 25:40 is part of a larger section of laws that regulated servitude and land ownership in ancient Israel, reflecting a divine concern for social welfare and economic justice. The verse is a specific directive ensuring that Hebrew servants were to be treated as employees with a set term of service that corresponded to the Year of Jubilee, at which point they would regain their freedom and any ancestral land that had been sold.

*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: H7916
   There are 17 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׂכִיר
   Transliteration: sâkîyr
   Pronunciation: saw-keer'
   Description: from שָׂכַר; a man at wages by the day or year; hired (man, servant), hireling.
   
2. Strong's Number: H8453
   There are 13 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: תּוֹשָׁב
   Transliteration: tôwshâb
   Pronunciation: to-shawb'
   Description: or תֹּשָׁב; (1 Kings 17:1), from יָשַׁב; a dweller (but not outlandish (נׇכְרִי)); especially (as distinguished from a native citizen (active participle of יָשַׁב) and a temporary inmate (גֵּר) or mere lodger (לוּן)); resident alien; foreigner, inhabitant, sojourner, stranger.
   
3. Strong's Number: H5647
   There are 263 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָבַד
   Transliteration: ʻâbad
   Pronunciation: aw-bad'
   Description: a primitive root; to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc.; [idiom] be, keep in bondage, be bondmen, bond-service, compel, do, dress, ear, execute, [phrase] husbandman, keep, labour(-ing man, bring to pass, (cause to, make to) serve(-ing, self), (be, become) servant(-s), do (use) service, till(-er), transgress (from margin), (set a) work, be wrought, worshipper,
   
4. 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).
   
5. Strong's Number: H3104
   There are 25 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יוֹבֵל
   Transliteration: yôwbêl
   Pronunciation: yo-bale'
   Description: or יֹבֵל; apparently from יָבַל; the blast of a horn (from its continuous sound); specifically, the signal of the silver trumpets; hence, the instrument itself and the festival thus introduced; jubile, ram's horn, trumpet.