Leviticus 25:16

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 25:16 articulates a foundational economic principle within ancient Israel's divinely ordained Year of Jubilee, establishing a unique system for valuing land transactions. This verse clarifies that the transfer of land was never a permanent sale of property, but rather a lease for a specified period until the next Jubilee. Consequently, the price was directly proportional to the number of harvests a buyer could realistically reap before the land reverted to its original owner, ensuring that the transaction reflected the temporary usufruct of the land's productivity rather than its absolute ownership. This mechanism powerfully underscored God's ultimate sovereignty over the land and promoted economic equity and social stability within the covenant community.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 25 unfolds a comprehensive set of laws pertaining to the Sabbatical Year (Shemitah) and the Year of Jubilee (Yovel), presented as integral components of Israel's covenant relationship with God. Following detailed instructions for the Sabbatical Year in [Leviticus 25:1-7](/leviticus/25-1-7 "Leviticus 25:1-7 - Laws of the Sabbatical Year"), the text introduces the Jubilee in [Leviticus 25:8-12](/leviticus/25-8-12 "Leviticus 25:8-12 - Institution of the Jubilee Year") as a grander, fifty-year cycle of restoration. Our verse, [Leviticus 25:16](/leviticus/25-16 "Leviticus 25:16 - Pricing Land in Jubilee"), fits within the specific regulations for land redemption and pricing found in [Leviticus 25:13-17](/leviticus/25-13-17 "Leviticus 25:13-17 - Land Redemption and Pricing"), which immediately follow the general proclamation of liberty and return to ancestral property. These verses clarify the practical implications of the Jubilee’s core principle: that land could not be permanently alienated from its tribal and family inheritance. The subsequent verses in [Leviticus 25:18-22](/leviticus/25-18-22 "Leviticus 25:18-22 - God's Promise of Provision") offer reassurances regarding God's provision for those who observe these laws, while [Leviticus 25:23](/leviticus/25-23 "Leviticus 25:23 - God's Ownership of the Land") provides the foundational theological premise for the entire system – God's ultimate ownership of the land.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Israel's society was fundamentally agrarian, with land ownership serving as the primary determinant of wealth, social status, and family identity. Unlike many surrounding cultures where land could be permanently bought and sold, often leading to vast disparities and the dispossession of the poor, the Mosaic Law introduced a revolutionary system designed to prevent the perpetual accumulation of land by a few and the permanent impoverishment of others. The Jubilee system, occurring every fifty years, served as a divinely mandated "reset button," ensuring that ancestral land allotments, established during the initial division of the land under Joshua (e.g., [Joshua 14](/joshua/14 "Joshua 14 - Division of the Land by Lot")), would revert to their original families. This was not merely an economic policy but a profound theological statement, reinforcing the understanding that the land belonged to Yahweh, and the Israelites were merely "sojourners and tenants" within His domain, as articulated in [Leviticus 25:23](/leviticus/25-23 "Leviticus 25:23 - God's Ownership of the Land"). The "sale" of land, therefore, was never a transfer of absolute title but rather the sale of the right to use the land and its produce for a limited duration, specifically until the next Jubilee. This unique framework aimed to preserve the tribal and family structures, prevent the rise of a landless class, and maintain a degree of economic stability and social justice within the covenant community.

* **Key Themes:** Leviticus 25:16 significantly contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Leviticus and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Ownership**, particularly concerning the land. The very premise of the Jubilee—that land reverts to its original owners—is predicated on the declaration in [Leviticus 25:23](/leviticus/25-23 "Leviticus 25:23 - God's Ownership of the Land") that "the land is mine." This verse reinforces that human ownership is always temporary and conditional. Secondly, the passage highlights **Economic Justice and Equity**. By linking land prices to the remaining harvests, the law prevented exploitation and ensured that even those who had to sell their land could eventually regain it, preventing the formation of a permanent underclass. This mechanism promoted a more egalitarian society, reflecting God's concern for the vulnerable. Finally, the verse speaks to the theme of **Stewardship and Temporary Possession**. It teaches Israel that their relationship with the land was one of temporary management, not absolute dominion, fostering a mindset of responsible care rather than exploitative accumulation. This principle extends beyond land to all of life, reminding the Israelites, and us, that all we possess is ultimately from God and to be used for His purposes.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Multitude (Hebrew, _rôb'_):** From H7230, this term signifies abundance, plenitude, or a great number. In this context, it refers to a significant number of years remaining until the Jubilee, implying a longer period of usufruct and thus a higher value for the land's temporary lease. It highlights the direct correlation between time and economic value, as a "multitude of years" would allow for a "multitude" of harvests.
* **Fewness (Hebrew, _mâʻaṭ'_):** From H4591, contrasting with "multitude," this word denotes scarcity, a small number, or a short duration. When applied to the years until the Jubilee, it indicates a limited period for the buyer to benefit from the land's produce, thereby diminishing its temporary market value. The concept is to "lessen" the price because the remaining time is "few."
* **Fruits (Hebrew, _tᵉbûwʼâh'_):** From H8393, literally meaning "produce" or "yield" (of the ground), this word is crucial. It explicitly defines the basis of the land transaction. The "sale" was not of the inherent value of the land itself, but of the expected agricultural income or harvests that could be reaped from it during the remaining years until the Jubilee. This underscores the practical, yield-based valuation system, where the land's value is derived from its "income" or "revenue."

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"According to the multitude of years thou shalt increase the price thereof":** This clause establishes the first part of the inverse relationship between the time remaining until the Jubilee and the land's temporary price. If many years were left, meaning the buyer would have access to many future harvests, the purchase price for the right to use the land would be higher. This reflects a practical economic reality where a longer period of benefit commands a greater cost, and the "mouth" (H6310, _peh_) or proportion of years dictates the increase.
* **"and according to the fewness of years thou shalt diminish the price of it":** This is the complementary part of the principle. If only a few years remained until the Jubilee, and thus only a few harvests could be gathered, the temporary price of the land would be lower. This ensures fairness to the buyer, who would have limited time to recoup their investment from the land's produce, and the price is "lessened" (H4591, _mâʻaṭ_) proportionally.
* **"for [according] to the number [of the years] of the fruits doth he sell unto thee":** This concluding phrase provides the theological and economic rationale for the entire system. It explicitly states that the transaction is not a sale of the land's permanent title, but rather a sale of its productive capacity—its "fruits" or harvests—for a defined "number" (H4557, _miçpâr_) of years. This reinforces the concept that the land ultimately belongs to God and is merely leased out, with its value determined by its temporary yield, not its intrinsic, eternal worth as property. The term "sell" (H4376, _mâkar_) here refers to the transfer of usufruct, not absolute ownership.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Antithesis** and **Explication**. The **Antithesis** is powerfully evident in the direct contrast between "multitude of years" and "fewness of years," and their corresponding effects on pricing ("increase the price" vs. "diminish the price"). This stark opposition effectively highlights the core principle of the Jubilee land valuation system, making the rule clear, memorable, and emphasizing the precise proportionality. The latter part of the verse functions as an **Explication** or **Rationale**, providing the underlying reason for the pricing mechanism: "for [according] to the number [of the years] of the fruits doth he sell unto thee." This explanatory clause clarifies that the transaction is fundamentally about the temporary usufruct of the land's productive capacity, not its permanent ownership, thereby grounding the economic law in a theological understanding of divine sovereignty over the land.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The economic regulations of Leviticus 25:16 are deeply rooted in profound theological principles. Foremost among these is the concept of **Divine Sovereignty and Ownership**. The land of Israel was not considered the absolute possession of its inhabitants but rather belonged to God, who merely entrusted it to His people as stewards. This understanding prevented the permanent alienation of ancestral land, ensuring that no family could be perpetually dispossessed and that the nation's foundational agrarian structure remained intact. The Jubilee system, with its land pricing based on remaining harvests, powerfully underscored the temporary nature of earthly possessions and challenged a purely materialistic view of wealth. It promoted **Economic Justice and Equity**, serving as a divinely mandated mechanism to prevent the unchecked accumulation of wealth by a few and the perpetual impoverishment of others, fostering a more egalitarian society within the covenant community. Ultimately, it pointed to a greater truth: that true security and inheritance are found not in earthly holdings, but in God Himself.

* [Leviticus 25:23](/leviticus/25-23 "Leviticus 25:23 - God's Ownership of the Land")
* [Psalm 24:1](/psalms/24-1 "Psalm 24:1 - The Earth is the Lord's")
* [Micah 2:2](/micah/2-2 "Micah 2:2 - Warning Against Greed and Land Grabbing")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific economic system of the Jubilee is not directly practiced in contemporary societies, the enduring principles embedded in Leviticus 25:16 offer profound insights for modern believers. This verse calls us to cultivate a **stewardship mindset** regarding all that God has entrusted to us—our finances, talents, time, and even our relationships. It challenges the notion of absolute ownership, reminding us that we are merely temporary managers of God's resources, called to use them wisely, justly, and for His glory rather than for selfish accumulation. Furthermore, the Jubilee's emphasis on preventing perpetual debt and dispossession compels us to consider issues of **economic justice and compassion** in our own communities and globally. How can we, as followers of Christ, advocate for systems that promote equity, alleviate poverty, and offer pathways to restoration for those burdened by debt or disadvantage? Finally, the temporary valuation of land in this verse serves as a powerful reminder of the **transient nature of earthly possessions**. It encourages us to hold material wealth lightly, fostering an eternal perspective that prioritizes spiritual riches, relational well-being, and God's kingdom over fleeting worldly gains.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the principle of God's ultimate ownership of all things, as seen in the Jubilee, shape your view of your personal possessions and finances?**
* **In what ways can you adopt a more intentional stewardship mindset in your daily life, recognizing that everything you have is a gift from God?**
* **What practical steps can you take to promote economic justice and help alleviate financial burdens for others in your community or sphere of influence?**
* **How does understanding the temporary nature of earthly wealth, as highlighted by this verse, influence your priorities and long-term goals?**

### FAQ
**Was the Jubilee system actually implemented in ancient Israel?**

Answer: While the biblical text clearly prescribes the Jubilee, historical evidence regarding its consistent and widespread implementation throughout Israel's history is debated among scholars. There are few direct historical accounts outside the Bible explicitly detailing its full practice. Some scholars suggest that the ideal was rarely, if ever, fully realized due to the significant social and economic upheaval it would have caused. Others argue that elements of the Jubilee, or its underlying principles, may have been observed, even if not every fifty-year cycle was perfectly executed. The prophetic writings, like those of [Isaiah](/isaiah/58 "Isaiah 58 - True Fasting and Justice") and [Jeremiah](/jeremiah/34 "Jeremiah 34 - Release of Slaves"), often lament Israel's failure to uphold covenant laws, including those related to social justice and the release of slaves, which were integral to the Jubilee's spirit. Regardless of its historical execution, the Jubilee remained a powerful theological ideal and a divine blueprint for a just society.

**How does this verse relate to modern real estate or property ownership?**

Answer: Leviticus 25:16 does not directly dictate modern real estate practices, as it operates within a unique covenantal and agrarian context. However, its underlying principles offer profound ethical and theological insights. Modern property ownership is typically understood as permanent, transferable title. In contrast, this verse highlights that in ancient Israel, land was never truly "sold" permanently, but rather its usufruct (the right to use and profit from it) was leased for a period. This underscores the principle of **divine ownership** ([Psalm 24:1](/psalms/24-1 "Psalm 24:1 - The Earth is the Lord's")) and human **stewardship**. It challenges us to consider our own property not as absolute possessions, but as resources entrusted to us by God, to be managed responsibly and with a view towards justice and the common good. While we don't have a Jubilee system, the verse encourages reflection on issues like economic inequality, sustainable resource management, and the ethical implications of wealth accumulation in contemporary society.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The Jubilee system, with its emphasis on liberty, restoration, and the return of inheritance, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While Leviticus 25:16 details the temporary, economic valuation of land based on its productive years until a physical Jubilee, Christ inaugurates a spiritual and eternal Jubilee that transcends earthly cycles. He is the one who proclaims "liberty to the captives" and "recovery of sight to the blind," setting "at liberty those who are oppressed" ([Luke 4:18-19](/luke/4-18-19 "Luke 4:18-19 - Jesus' Inaugural Sermon"), quoting [Isaiah 61:1-2](/isaiah/61-1-2 "Isaiah 61:1-2 - The Spirit of the Lord is Upon Me")). Through His atoning work, the ultimate debt of sin, which permanently alienated humanity from God, is remitted, and believers are freed from the bondage of sin and death ([Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin is Death, but the Gift of God is Eternal Life")). Furthermore, just as the land in the Jubilee reverted to its original owners, Christ restores our true spiritual inheritance—adoption as sons and daughters of God and co-heirs with Him ([Romans 8:17](/romans/8-17 "Romans 8:17 - Heirs with Christ"); [Ephesians 1:11](/ephesians/1-11 "Ephesians 1:11 - Our Inheritance in Christ")). The temporary nature of earthly possessions highlighted in Leviticus 25:16 points forward to the eternal and incorruptible inheritance secured for us in Christ ([1 Peter 1:4](/1_peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - An Inheritance Incorruptible")). He is the true and everlasting "Year of the Fruits," offering not merely temporary access to earthly produce, but eternal life and abundant spiritual fruit that never diminishes ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Life Abundant"); [John 15:5](/john/15-5 "John 15:5 - Abiding in Christ, Bearing Fruit")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Leviticus 25:51

If [there be] yet many years [behind], according unto them he shall give again the price of his redemption out of the money that he was bought for.

Leviticus 25:27

Then let him count the years of the sale thereof, and restore the overplus unto the man to whom he sold it; that he may return unto his possession.