Leviticus 25:24

KJV

And in all the land of your possession ye shall grant a redemption for the land.

KJV (with Strong's)

And in all the land {H776} of your possession {H272} ye shall grant {H5414} a redemption {H1353} for the land {H776}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Therefore, when you sell your property, you must include the right of redemption.

Berean Standard Bible

Thus for every piece of property you possess, you must provide for the redemption of the land.

American Standard Version

And in all the land of your possession ye shall grant a redemption for the land.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 25:24 establishes a foundational principle for land ownership in ancient Israel: despite any sale, a mechanism for the land's redemption must always be permitted. This verse, situated within the broader laws of the Sabbatical and Jubilee years, underscores God's ultimate sovereignty over the land, which He granted as an inheritance to His people, and His compassionate provision for economic justice, ensuring that families could recover their ancestral property and avoid permanent disenfranchisement.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of [Leviticus chapter 25](/leviticus/25 "Leviticus 25 - Laws of the Sabbatical and Jubilee Years"), which details the laws concerning the Sabbatical Year (every seventh year) and the climactic Year of Jubilee (every fiftieth year). The preceding verses, particularly [Leviticus 25:23](/leviticus/25-23 "Leviticus 25:23 - God's Ownership of the Land"), lay the theological groundwork by declaring, "The land shall not be sold for ever: for the land is mine; for ye are strangers and sojourners with me." This divine declaration sets the stage for the redemption clause in verse 24, ensuring that no land sale could be permanent, thereby preserving the tribal and familial inheritances established in [Numbers 34](/numbers/34 "Numbers 34 - Boundaries of the Land") and [Joshua 13-21](/joshua/13 "Joshua 13-21 - Division of the Land"). The entire chapter emphasizes a cyclical economic system designed to prevent the accumulation of wealth by a few and the perpetual poverty of others, reflecting God's unique economic and social vision for His covenant people.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, land was not merely property but a sacred inheritance, directly tied to one's tribal identity, family lineage, and covenant relationship with God. Each family received an allotment of land upon entering Canaan, as detailed in the book of [Joshua](/joshua "The Book of Joshua - Conquest and Division of the Land"). However, economic hardship, often due to famine, debt, or misfortune, could force a family to sell their land. Without a redemption mechanism, such sales would lead to permanent loss of inheritance, social instability, and the creation of a landless class. The provision for redemption (and ultimately the Jubilee) served as a divine safety net, preventing the permanent disenfranchisement of families and ensuring that the foundational economic structure of Israel, based on inherited land, remained intact. This system mitigated the harsh realities of poverty and debt, reflecting a unique societal structure distinct from surrounding cultures where land could be permanently alienated.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Redemption (Hebrew, _ge'ullah'_):** This term refers to the act of buying back or reclaiming something that was previously owned but had been lost or sold. In the context of Leviticus 25, _ge'ullah_ specifically applies to the recovery of land. It is deeply connected to the concept of the _go'el_ (kinsman-redeemer), a close relative who had the right and responsibility to redeem family property, or even family members, from servitude or debt. The law of _ge'ullah_ ensured that the original family's claim to their ancestral inheritance was never truly extinguished, highlighting God's provision for restoration and the preservation of family identity and economic stability within the covenant community.
* **Grant (Hebrew, _natan'_):** The verb "ye shall grant" (תִּתְּנוּ, _titt'nu_) comes from the root _natan_, meaning "to give," "to put," or "to allow." Here, it signifies a mandatory provision or permission. It's not a suggestion but a divine command that a pathway for redemption must always be made available. This emphasizes the active role and responsibility of the Israelite community, under God's law, to ensure that the principle of land redemption is upheld and facilitated, reflecting a communal obligation to economic justice and the preservation of family inheritances.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And in all the land of your possession":** This phrase emphasizes the universal applicability of the law throughout the entire territory God had given to Israel. It means that no part of the inherited land was exempt from this principle of redemption, reinforcing the idea that all land within Israel's borders was ultimately God's and subject to His laws, not merely human transaction.
* **"ye shall grant a redemption":** This is a direct divine command, indicating an active responsibility on the part of the Israelites. It mandates that a mechanism or opportunity for the original owner or a kinsman to buy back the land must always be provided. This wasn't an optional act of charity but a non-negotiable legal and moral obligation rooted in God's ownership of the land and His design for Israelite society.
* **"for the land":** This specifies the object of redemption. The focus is singularly on the land itself, highlighting its unique status as a divine inheritance. The land was not a mere commodity but a sacred trust, and its return to the original family was crucial for maintaining the social, economic, and spiritual order God intended for His people.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 25:24 primarily employs **Legal Mandate** and **Repetition**. As a direct command ("ye shall grant"), the verse functions as a clear legal statute, leaving no ambiguity about the required action. This authoritative tone underscores the divine origin and importance of the law. The concept of "redemption" itself, and the associated idea of the land ultimately belonging to God, is a **Theological Motif** that permeates [Leviticus 25](/leviticus/25 "Leviticus 25 - Laws of the Sabbatical and Jubilee Years"). This motif is repeated and reinforced throughout the chapter, particularly in [Leviticus 25:23](/leviticus/25-23 "Leviticus 25:23 - God's Ownership of the Land"), creating a cohesive legal framework centered on God's sovereignty and the restoration of His people's inheritance. Furthermore, the land itself serves as a powerful **Symbol** of God's covenant faithfulness and the tangible blessings He bestows upon His people. The redemption of the land, therefore, symbolizes the restoration of divine order and the preservation of the covenant community's well-being.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 25:24 profoundly articulates the theological truth of God's ultimate sovereignty and ownership over all creation, particularly the land He covenanted to Israel. This principle transcends mere property law, establishing a framework for social justice, economic equity, and the preservation of family heritage. The provision for redemption underscores God's compassionate heart for the vulnerable, ensuring that economic misfortune does not lead to permanent destitution or the loss of one's foundational identity and means of sustenance. It reflects a divine design for society that prioritizes restoration over irreversible loss, offering hope and a fresh start. This earthly redemption foreshadows a greater, spiritual redemption.

* [Ruth 4:4-7](/ruth/4-4 "Ruth 4:4-7 - Boaz as Kinsman-Redeemer")
* [Jeremiah 32:6-8](/jeremiah/32-6 "Jeremiah 32:6-8 - Jeremiah Redeems a Field")
* [Nehemiah 5:1-11](/nehemiah/5-1 "Nehemiah 5:1-11 - Nehemiah Addresses Social Injustice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The ancient law of land redemption in Leviticus 25:24 serves as a powerful reminder that our possessions and resources are ultimately not our own, but are entrusted to us by God. This perspective challenges us to move beyond a mindset of absolute ownership to one of faithful stewardship. In a world often marked by vast economic disparities and the permanent disenfranchisement of the poor, this verse calls us to consider how we, as individuals and communities, can embody God's heart for justice and restoration. It prompts us to seek ways to prevent perpetual poverty, to support those who have fallen on hard times, and to advocate for systems that offer opportunities for recovery and a fresh start. The principle of redemption encourages us to look beyond immediate transactions to the long-term well-being of individuals and families, fostering a spirit of compassion, generosity, and equity in our own spheres of influence.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the principle of God's ultimate ownership of all things, as seen in this verse, shape your view of your own possessions and resources?**
* **In what ways can we, as individuals or communities, embody the spirit of "granting redemption" by providing opportunities for restoration and recovery for those facing economic hardship today?**
* **What societal structures or practices in our modern context might prevent "redemption" or perpetuate disadvantage, and how might we advocate for change inspired by this biblical principle?**

### FAQ

**What was the primary purpose of the land redemption law in ancient Israel?**

Answer: The primary purpose was to prevent the permanent alienation of ancestral land from families and tribes. Since land was considered a divine inheritance and the basis of family identity and economic stability, God's law ensured that even if land had to be sold due to hardship, a mechanism (redemption by a kinsman or the Jubilee Year) was always available to return it to the original family. This upheld God's ultimate ownership of the land, prevented the accumulation of vast estates by a few, and provided a social safety net for the poor, ensuring that no Israelite family would be permanently dispossessed of their heritage. This is explicitly stated in [Leviticus 25:23](/leviticus/25-23 "Leviticus 25:23 - God's Ownership of the Land"), which declares the land belongs to God.

**How does this law relate to the concept of the "kinsman-redeemer" (_go'el_)?**

Answer: The law of land redemption is intrinsically linked to the concept of the _go'el_, or kinsman-redeemer. A _go'el_ was a close male relative who had the right and responsibility to act on behalf of a family member in distress. This included redeeming family land that had been sold, buying back family members who had fallen into slavery, or avenging the blood of a slain relative. In the context of [Leviticus 25:24](/leviticus/25-24 "Leviticus 25:24 - Land Redemption"), the _go'el_ was the primary agent through whom the "redemption for the land" would be granted, ensuring that the family's inheritance could be recovered. The most famous biblical example of a _go'el_ is Boaz in the book of [Ruth](/ruth/4 "Ruth 4 - Boaz as Kinsman-Redeemer"), who redeems Naomi's family line and property.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 25:24, with its mandate for land redemption, beautifully foreshadows the ultimate spiritual redemption accomplished through Jesus Christ. Just as the land in Israel could not be permanently alienated because it belonged to God, humanity, created in God's image, could not be permanently lost to the dominion of sin and death because we ultimately belong to Him. Our spiritual inheritance, lost through the fall, is restored through Christ, our supreme Kinsman-Redeemer. He, being of our flesh and blood ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Jesus Shares in Our Humanity")), possessed the right and ability to pay the ultimate price for our redemption, buying us back from the slavery of sin ([Romans 6:18](/romans/6-18 "Romans 6:18 - Freed from Sin")). His sacrifice on the cross is the _ge'ullah_ par excellence, securing our freedom and restoring our relationship with God, granting us an imperishable inheritance ([1 Peter 1:3-5](/1_peter/1-3 "1 Peter 1:3-5 - A Living Hope and Inheritance")). The Year of Jubilee, with its promise of universal release and return to one's inheritance ([Leviticus 25:10](/leviticus/25-10 "Leviticus 25:10 - Proclaim Liberty Throughout the Land")), finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ, who proclaimed "the year of the Lord's favor" ([Luke 4:18-19](/luke/4-18 "Luke 4:18-19 - Jesus Proclaims His Mission")), ushering in an era of spiritual liberty, forgiveness, and restoration for all who believe.

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

Ephesians 1:14

Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

1 Corinthians 1:30

But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

Romans 8:23

And not only [they], but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, [to wit], the redemption of our body.

Ephesians 4:30

And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

Leviticus 25:31

But the houses of the villages which have no wall round about them shall be counted as the fields of the country: they may be redeemed, and they shall go out in the jubile.

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 25:53

[And] as a yearly hired servant shall he be with him: [and the other] shall not rule with rigour over him in thy sight.