Leviticus 25:26

KJV

And if the man have none to redeem it, and himself be able to redeem it;

KJV (with Strong's)

And if the man {H376} have none to redeem {H1350} it, and himself {H3027} be able {H1767}{H5381} to redeem {H4672}{H1353} it;

Complete Jewish Bible

If the seller has no one to redeem it but becomes rich enough to redeem it himself,

Berean Standard Bible

Or if a man has no one to redeem it for him, but he prospers and acquires enough to redeem his land,

American Standard Version

And if a man have no one to redeem it, and he be waxed rich and find sufficient to redeem it;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 25:26 articulates a crucial provision within the Mosaic Law concerning the redemption of ancestral land in Israel. It specifies that if a family's inherited property, sold due to economic hardship, cannot be repurchased by a kinsman-redeemer, the original owner retains the right to buy it back themselves should their financial circumstances improve. This clause underscores God's meticulous care for economic justice, the preservation of family inheritance, and the foundational principle that all land ultimately belongs to Him, ensuring pathways for restoration and preventing permanent dispossession within the covenant community.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of Leviticus 25, a chapter primarily dedicated to the laws governing the Sabbatical Year and the Jubilee Year. These laws establish a divine framework for land ownership, debt, and personal freedom, emphasizing God's ultimate sovereignty over the land. The preceding verses, particularly [Leviticus 25:23](/leviticus/25-23 "Leviticus 25:23 - God's Ownership of the Land") and [Leviticus 25:25](/leviticus/25-25 "Leviticus 25:25 - The Kinsman-Redeemer's Role"), lay the groundwork by stating that "the land shall not be sold for ever: for the land is mine" and outlining the primary role of the kinsman-redeemer (Hebrew: *go'el*) in repurchasing sold property. Leviticus 25:26 then introduces an alternative scenario, ensuring that even in the absence of an able kinsman, the original owner has a pathway to restoration, demonstrating the comprehensive nature of God's provision for economic justice and family stability.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, land was far more than a commodity; it was the foundation of a family's identity, economic security, and covenant blessing, allocated by God through tribal and family lots. Losing one's ancestral land, typically due to poverty or debt, was a profound blow, threatening a family's livelihood, social standing, and connection to their heritage. The concept of "redemption" (Hebrew: *ga'al*) was deeply embedded in Israelite society, extending to property, persons, and even avenging wrongs. The *go'el* (kinsman-redeemer) was a vital figure, responsible for upholding family rights and ensuring the continuation of the family line and its inheritance, as vividly portrayed in the book of [Ruth](/ruth/1 "The Book of Ruth - A Story of Redemption"). This verse, therefore, reflects a society where economic vulnerability was a constant concern, but also one where divine law provided a comprehensive safety net designed to prevent the permanent disenfranchisement of families and to uphold the theological principle that God remained the ultimate owner and provider of all resources.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Redeem (Hebrew, _ga'al'_):** This verb (גָּאַל) signifies the act of buying back, reclaiming, or restoring something that was lost, sold, or forfeited, often through the payment of a price. The root carries strong connotations of kinship responsibility and the restoration of a prior state. In the context of land, it means to reacquire ownership of property that had been alienated. The broader theological implication is the restoration of relationship or status through intervention, highlighting God's character as a restorer.
* **Able (Hebrew, _yād_):** While literally meaning "hand," in this context, the Hebrew word יָד (yād) is used idiomatically to denote ability, power, or means, particularly financial capacity. "Himself be able to redeem it" means that the individual has acquired the necessary resources or strength to perform the act of redemption. This highlights personal agency and improved circumstances as a pathway to restoration, distinct from reliance on a kinsman, yet still within God's overarching framework of provision.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And if the man have none to redeem it":** This clause addresses the scenario where the primary method of land redemption, through a kinsman-redeemer (go'el), is not feasible. This could be because there are no close relatives, or those who exist are themselves unable or unwilling to fulfill this familial obligation. It highlights a potential vulnerability in the system, which the subsequent clause then addresses, demonstrating the law's comprehensive foresight.
* **"and himself be able to redeem it":** This second clause introduces an alternative pathway to restoration. It posits that the original owner, who previously sold their land due to poverty, has now experienced a change in fortune. They have acquired sufficient resources or means ("be able") to buy back their own property. This provision ensures that the individual's improved financial standing can directly lead to the recovery of their ancestral inheritance, reinforcing the principle of personal responsibility and the temporary nature of land sales within God's economy.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 25:26, though concise, employs several subtle literary techniques characteristic of legal texts. The structure itself presents a **Conditional Clause**, "And if the man have none... and himself be able," which sets forth a specific circumstance and its implied legal consequence within the Mosaic Law. This precise legal language is designed for clarity and comprehensiveness in outlining various scenarios for land redemption. There is an implicit **Contrast** between the initial state of poverty that necessitated the sale of land and the later state of "being able" to redeem it, highlighting a journey from economic distress to restoration. Furthermore, the verse functions as a specific application of the broader theological **Symbolism** of redemption, where the physical act of buying back land foreshadows a deeper spiritual truth about restoration from bondage or loss, a theme that permeates the entire biblical narrative.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 25:26 profoundly illustrates God's concern for justice, mercy, and the preservation of family inheritance within the covenant community. It underscores the principle that human ownership is always provisional, with God retaining ultimate sovereignty over the land, as declared in [Leviticus 25:23](/leviticus/25-23 "Leviticus 25:23 - God's Ownership of the Land"). The provision for self-redemption, alongside kinsman-redemption, demonstrates a comprehensive divine safety net designed to prevent permanent economic disenfranchisement and to ensure that poverty did not lead to an irreversible loss of one's heritage. This reflects a theology of restoration, where pathways are always available for those who have fallen on hard times to regain their standing and livelihood, reflecting God's character as a provider who cares for the vulnerable and seeks to maintain equity within His people.

* [Ruth 4:4](/ruth/4-4 "Ruth 4:4 - Boaz's Offer to Redeem")
* [Jeremiah 32:6-8](/jeremiah/32-6-8 "Jeremiah 32:6-8 - Jeremiah Buys a Field")
* [Isaiah 61:2](/isaiah/61-2 "Isaiah 61:2 - The Year of the Lord's Favor")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific laws of land redemption belong to ancient Israel's agrarian society, the principles embedded in Leviticus 25:26 resonate deeply with contemporary life. This verse offers a powerful message of hope and resilience: even when external help (like a kinsman-redeemer) is unavailable, God's design allows for personal agency and the possibility of self-restoration. It encourages us to cultivate diligence, stewardship, and a hopeful outlook, believing that circumstances can improve, and we can, by God's grace, regain what was lost—whether it be financial stability, relational health, or spiritual vitality. It reminds us that God provides multiple avenues for recovery and that our improved "ability" or resources should be leveraged not just for personal gain, but for the restoration of what is right and just, reflecting God's own character of mercy and provision. This perspective fosters a sense of responsibility for our own journey while acknowledging the ultimate source of all blessing and the importance of using our restored capacity to honor Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life (financial, relational, spiritual) do you feel a need for "redemption" or restoration, and how might this verse inspire your approach?**
* **How does the concept of "being able to redeem" encourage personal responsibility and diligence in your own life, especially after setbacks?**
* **How can we, as individuals and as a community of faith, apply the spirit of this law—God's provision for restoration and economic justice—in our modern contexts?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "the land is mine" in relation to this verse?**

Answer: The declaration "the land is mine" in [Leviticus 25:23](/leviticus/25-23 "Leviticus 25:23 - God's Ownership of the Land") is foundational to understanding all land laws in Israel, including Leviticus 25:26. It signifies that God is the ultimate owner of all creation, and the Israelites were merely stewards of the land He graciously provided. This theological premise prevented permanent land sales, ensuring that no family could be perpetually dispossessed of their ancestral inheritance. It meant that any sale was essentially a lease until the Jubilee year, or until it could be redeemed, reinforcing God's sovereignty and His commitment to economic justice and the stability of families within the covenant community.

**How does this verse relate to the concept of the Jubilee Year?**

Answer: Leviticus 25:26 operates within the broader framework of the Jubilee Year, which is detailed in [Leviticus 25:8-12](/leviticus/25-8 "Leviticus 25:8-12 - The Law of the Jubilee Year"). The Jubilee, occurring every 50 years, was the ultimate mechanism for land restoration, debt cancellation, and the release of indentured servants. If land was not redeemed by a kinsman or the owner themselves before the Jubilee, it would automatically revert to its original family in the Jubilee year, regardless of who owned it. Leviticus 25:26 provides an *earlier* opportunity for redemption, allowing the owner to regain their property as soon as they are able, rather than waiting potentially many years until the Jubilee. It underscores God's desire for immediate restoration when possible, while the Jubilee served as a final, overarching safety net, guaranteeing that no family's inheritance would be permanently lost.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 25:26, with its provision for self-redemption of lost inheritance, beautifully foreshadows the ultimate spiritual redemption found in Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament law provided for a *human* to redeem their own property if they became "able," humanity, in its fallen state, was utterly unable to redeem itself from the bondage of sin and death. The New Testament reveals that we were "sold under sin" ([Romans 7:14](/romans/7-14 "Romans 7:14 - Sold Under Sin")) and in desperate need of a Redeemer. Jesus Christ, the perfect kinsman-redeemer, stepped into our humanity, not to buy back land, but to purchase us back from the slavery of sin, paying the ultimate price with His own precious blood ([1 Peter 1:18-19](/1_peter/1-18-19 "1 Peter 1:18-19 - Redeemed by the Blood of Christ")). Unlike the Israelite who might become "able" to redeem their land, we are entirely dependent on Christ's finished work; our redemption is not by our own ability or merit, but by His infinite grace and unmerited favor ([Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace Through Faith")). He is the one who restores our lost inheritance—not of earthly land, but of eternal life, sonship, and unbroken communion with God ([Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13-14 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Redeemed from the Domain of Darkness")). Thus, the temporary, earthly redemption in Leviticus points to the eternal, spiritual redemption accomplished by Christ, who alone was "able" to redeem us completely and perfectly.

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 5:7

¶ And if he be not able to bring a lamb, then he shall bring for his trespass, which he hath committed, two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, unto the LORD; one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering.