King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And if a sojourner or stranger wax rich by thee, and thy brother [that dwelleth] by him wax poor, and sell himself unto the stranger [or] sojourner by thee, or to the stock of the stranger's family:
Complete Jewish Bible:
"'If a foreigner living with you has grown rich, and a member of your people has become poor and sells himself to this foreigner living with you or to a member of the foreigner's family,
Berean Standard Bible:
If a foreigner residing among you prospers, but your countryman dwelling near him becomes destitute and sells himself to the foreigner or to a member of his clan,
American Standard Version:
And if a stranger or sojourner with thee be waxed rich, and thy brother be waxed poor beside him, and sell himself unto the stranger or sojourner with thee, or to the stock of the stranger’s family;
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And if a sojourner{H1616} or stranger{H8453} wax rich{H5381} by thee{H3027}, and thy brother{H251} that dwelleth by him wax poor{H4134}, and sell{H4376} himself unto the stranger{H1616} or sojourner{H8453} by thee, or to the stock{H6133} of the stranger's{H1616} family{H4940}:
Cross-References (KJV):
Leviticus 25:26
- And if the man have none to redeem it, and himself be able to redeem it;
1 Samuel 2:7
- The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.
1 Samuel 2:8
- He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, [and] lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set [them] among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth [are] the LORD'S, and he hath set the world upon them.
James 2:5
- Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
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Commentary for Leviticus 25:47
Leviticus 25:47 is part of a larger section in the book of Leviticus that deals with the Year of Jubilee, a time every fifty years when debts were to be forgiven, and land and property that had been sold returned to its original owner or the owner's family. This practice was designed to prevent the permanent loss of land within the tribes of Israel and to ensure that each family could maintain their inheritance.
The verse specifically addresses the situation where an "alien" or "sojourner" (a non-Israelite living in the land) becomes wealthy, while an Israelite, referred to as "thy brother," becomes impoverished and sells himself into servitude to this foreigner or to a member of the foreigner's household. This reflects the economic realities of the time, where individuals might fall into debt and be forced to sell themselves or their family members as indentured servants.
The historical context of this verse is the ancient Near Eastern society, where economic hardship could lead to a loss of personal freedom. The laws given in Leviticus were meant to mitigate these harsh realities by ensuring that the Israelites would not be enslaved indefinitely to foreigners, and by prescribing fair treatment for those who did become servants. These laws also served to reinforce the social solidarity and economic equality among the Israelites, reminding them of their shared identity and responsibilities towards one another.
In summary, Leviticus 25:47 deals with the protection of the poor and the maintenance of social order within the Israelite community. It reflects the Bible's broader themes of justice, compassion, and the care for the less fortunate, while also emphasizing the importance of preserving the integrity of the family and the community in accordance with God's laws.
*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: H1616
There are 83 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גֵּר
Transliteration: gêr
Pronunciation: gare
Description: or (fully) geyr (gare); from גּוּר; properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner; alien, sojourner, stranger. - 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. - Strong's Number: H5381
There are 47 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָשַׂג
Transliteration: nâsag
Pronunciation: naw-sag'
Description: a primitive root; to reach (literally or figuratively); ability, be able, attain (unto), (be able to, can) get, lay at, put, reach, remove, wax rich, [idiom] surely, (over-) take (hold of, on, upon). - 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: 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-'. - Strong's Number: H4134
There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מוּךְ
Transliteration: mûwk
Pronunciation: mook
Description: a primitive root; to become thin, i.e. (figuratively) be impoverished; be (waxen) poor(-er). - 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: H6133
There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֵקֶר
Transliteration: ʻêqer
Pronunciation: ay'-ker
Description: from עָקַר; figuratively, a transplanted person, i.e. naturalized citizen; stock. - Strong's Number: H4940
There are 224 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִשְׁפָּחָה
Transliteration: mishpâchâh
Pronunciation: mish-paw-khaw'
Description: from שָׁפָה (compare שִׁפְחָה); a family, i.e. circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people; family, kind(-red).