Leviticus 25:27

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then let him count {H2803} the years {H8141} of the sale {H4465} thereof, and restore {H7725} the overplus {H5736} unto the man {H376} to whom he sold {H4376} it; that he may return {H7725} unto his possession {H272}.

Complete Jewish Bible

he will calculate the number of years the land was sold for, refund the excess to its buyer, and return to his property.

Berean Standard Bible

he shall calculate the years since its sale, repay the balance to the man to whom he sold it, and return to his property.

American Standard Version

then let him reckon the years of the sale thereof, and restore the overplus unto the man to whom he sold it; and he shall return unto his possession.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 25:27 details a crucial aspect of land redemption within the Israelite Jubilee system, specifically addressing instances where land is redeemed prior to the fiftieth year. It mandates a precise calculation of the remaining years until the Jubilee, requiring the seller to refund the "overplus"—the unused portion of the original sale price—to the buyer. This provision ensures equitable financial adjustment for early redemption, thereby facilitating the land's return to its ancestral family possession, upholding the divine principle of permanent tribal inheritance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the broader legal framework of the Jubilee year, outlined in [Leviticus 25](/leviticus/25 "Leviticus 25 - The Laws of the Sabbath and Jubilee Years"). Specifically, it follows the initial instructions for the sale and redemption of land (verses 23-28). Verses 23-24 establish the foundational principle that all land belongs to God, and Israelites are merely tenants; therefore, land sales are not permanent transfers of ownership but rather leases whose value is determined by the number of years remaining until the next Jubilee. Verse 25 introduces the right of redemption by a kinsman, and verse 26 addresses the owner's ability to redeem if he prospers. Verse 27 then provides the practical mechanism for this early redemption, detailing the financial calculation required to ensure fairness to both parties, culminating in the land's restoration to its original owner, a theme reiterated in the ultimate Jubilee release in [Leviticus 25:28](/leviticus/25-28 "Leviticus 25:28 - Land Returns at Jubilee").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The laws of the Jubilee, including the provisions for land redemption in [Leviticus 25](/leviticus/25 "Leviticus 25 - The Laws of the Sabbath and Jubilee Years"), were designed to prevent the permanent accumulation of wealth and land by a few, and to mitigate the effects of poverty and debt within Israelite society. In an agrarian society, land was the primary means of production and family security. Without such laws, families facing hardship could lose their ancestral inheritance permanently, leading to systemic inequality and the breakdown of tribal structures. The Jubilee, occurring every 50th year, served as a divine reset button, ensuring that all land reverted to its original tribal and family allocation. This system underscored the theological truth that the land belonged to Yahweh, and the Israelites were merely stewards, as explicitly stated in [Leviticus 25:23](/leviticus/25-23 "Leviticus 25:23 - The Land is Mine"). The "overplus" calculation in [Leviticus 25:27](/leviticus/25-27 "Leviticus 25:27 - Calculation for Land Redemption") reflects a sophisticated legal and economic understanding, ensuring that the redemption process was fair and equitable, reflecting the proportional value of the remaining years on the "lease."

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Overplus (Hebrew, _yithrôn'_):** This term, derived from a root meaning "to be abundant" or "to excel," refers to the "remainder," "excess," or "what is left over." In the context of land redemption, it specifically denotes the portion of the original sale price that corresponds to the years remaining until the Jubilee. Since land sales were essentially leases until the Jubilee, if the land was redeemed early, the buyer had not enjoyed the full term for which they paid. The "overplus" was the amount due back to the buyer, reflecting the unused portion of the lease term, ensuring a fair adjustment and preventing the buyer from profiting unfairly from an early redemption.
* **Restore (Hebrew, _shuv'_):** This verb means "to turn back," "to return," or "to bring back." In this verse, it emphasizes the act of giving back the calculated "overplus" to the buyer. More broadly, the concept of "return" is central to the Jubilee laws, as it signifies the ultimate goal of returning land, and even people (in the case of indentured servants), to their original state of possession or freedom. It underscores the divine intention for restoration and equity.
* **Possession (Hebrew, _'ahuzzâ'_):** This noun refers to an "inheritance," "property," or "possession," particularly land that is permanently held by a family or tribe. It signifies the ancestral land allotted to each Israelite family upon entering Canaan. The entire Jubilee system, including the redemption process in [Leviticus 25:27](/leviticus/25-27 "Leviticus 25:27 - Land Redemption Calculation"), was designed to ensure that this fundamental family possession, the `ahuzzâ`, remained within its designated lineage, preventing its permanent alienation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then let him count the years of the sale thereof":** This phrase instructs the individual seeking to redeem their land to calculate the number of years that have passed since the land was sold and, more importantly, the number of years remaining until the next Year of Jubilee. The original sale price was based on the total number of years until the Jubilee (e.g., if 40 years remained, the price was 40 times the annual yield). This calculation is crucial for determining the fair refund amount.
* **"and restore the overplus unto the man to whom he sold it":** Once the remaining years are counted, the "overplus"—the portion of the original sale price corresponding to the unused years of the lease—must be returned to the buyer. This ensures that the buyer is compensated only for the actual period they possessed the land and enjoyed its produce, maintaining financial fairness and preventing the seller from having to pay the full original price for early redemption.
* **"that he may return unto his possession":** This final clause states the ultimate purpose of the entire transaction: the original owner's ability to regain their ancestral land. The "possession" refers to the family's inherited property, which, according to God's law, was not to be permanently alienated. This provision ensures the integrity of tribal inheritances and provides a mechanism for families to recover from economic hardship and re-establish their security.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 25:27 primarily employs **Legal Prescription**, presenting a precise and detailed instruction within the broader legal code of the Jubilee. The language is direct and imperative, outlining a specific procedure for calculation and restoration. There is also an element of **Economic Precision**, as the verse mandates a mathematical calculation ("count the years") and a specific financial adjustment ("restore the overplus"), reflecting a sophisticated system designed for fairness and equity. Furthermore, the verse functions as a practical outworking of the **Theological Principle** of God's ultimate ownership of the land and the importance of ancestral inheritance, which undergirds the entire Jubilee legislation. The phrase "that he may return unto his possession" highlights the **Restorative Motif** central to the Jubilee, emphasizing the divinely ordained cycle of return and renewal.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 25:27, embedded within the Jubilee laws, powerfully illustrates God's concern for justice, equity, and the preservation of family inheritance. It reveals a divine economy designed to prevent permanent poverty and landlessness, ensuring that every family had a stake in the promised land. This system underscores the theological truth that all land ultimately belongs to God, and humans are merely stewards. The concept of "redemption" and "return to possession" points to God's character as a redeemer who desires to restore what was lost or alienated, providing a safety net for the vulnerable and a reminder of His sovereign provision.

* [Leviticus 25:10](/leviticus/25-10 "Leviticus 25:10 - Proclamation of Liberty in the Jubilee")
* [Nehemiah 5:1-13](/nehemiah/5-1 "Nehemiah 5:1-13 - Nehemiah Addresses Social Injustice")
* [Isaiah 61:1-2](/isaiah/61-1 "Isaiah 61:1-2 - The Spirit of the Lord is Upon Me")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The detailed legal framework of Leviticus 25:27, though specific to ancient Israel, offers profound principles for contemporary spiritual and ethical living. It challenges us to consider our relationship with material possessions, reminding us that true ownership resides with God, and we are but stewards. This perspective fosters generosity, detachment from worldly wealth, and a commitment to using our resources for God's purposes, not merely for personal accumulation. Furthermore, the emphasis on restoring what was lost and ensuring equity calls believers to active participation in social justice. We are to be agents of restoration in a broken world, seeking to alleviate poverty, advocate for the oppressed, and provide opportunities for those who have fallen on hard times to regain their footing and dignity. The "overplus" calculation, while seemingly mundane, speaks to a divine concern for fairness and meticulous justice in all dealings, urging us to conduct our financial and relational affairs with integrity and transparency, always seeking to honor God and bless our neighbor.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the principle of God's ultimate ownership of all resources (as seen in the Jubilee) impact your view of your own possessions and financial decisions?**
* **In what ways can we, as individuals or communities, embody the spirit of "restoration" and "equity" from the Jubilee laws in our contemporary society?**
* **What "possessions" or "inheritances" (spiritual or otherwise) might you need to "redeem" or "return to" in your life, perhaps after a period of spiritual or personal alienation?**

### FAQ
**What was the primary purpose of the "overplus" calculation in land redemption?**

Answer: The primary purpose of the "overplus" calculation was to ensure fairness and equity in the redemption of land before the Jubilee year. Since land sales in Israel were essentially leases until the Jubilee, the price was determined by the number of years remaining until that event. If the original owner or a kinsman redeemed the land early, the buyer would not have enjoyed the full term for which they initially paid. The "overplus" (the unused portion of the original sale price) was returned to the buyer to compensate them for the unfulfilled portion of the lease, preventing them from suffering a financial loss and ensuring that the transaction was just for both parties, as outlined in [Leviticus 25:27](/leviticus/25-27 "Leviticus 25:27 - Calculation for Land Redemption").

**Did the Jubilee laws, including land redemption, apply to all Israelites equally?**

Answer: Yes, the Jubilee laws were designed to apply to all Israelite families and tribes equally, ensuring that the original tribal land allotments established upon entering Canaan were maintained. While specific provisions existed for cities and Levites, the core principle of land returning to its ancestral owners every 50 years was universal. This system aimed to prevent the permanent disenfranchisement of any family due to economic hardship, promoting a degree of social and economic equality across the nation, as seen throughout [Leviticus 25](/leviticus/25 "Leviticus 25 - The Laws of the Sabbath and Jubilee Years").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The intricate system of land redemption and the "overplus" calculation in [Leviticus 25:27](/leviticus/25-27 "Leviticus 25:27 - Calculation for Land Redemption") finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament concept of redemption, where a price is paid to secure freedom or restoration, powerfully foreshadows Christ's redemptive work. Humanity, having "sold" itself into the bondage of sin and death, lost its true inheritance and spiritual "possession" in God. Jesus, as our divine Kinsman-Redeemer, paid the ultimate price—His own life—to redeem us, not with silver or gold, but with His precious blood ([1 Peter 1:18-19](/1_peter/1-18 "1 Peter 1:18-19 - Redeemed by Christ's Blood")). Through His sacrifice, He restores us to our rightful spiritual inheritance as children of God, granting us access to the Father and an eternal "possession" that is imperishable and undefiled ([Ephesians 1:11-14](/ephesians/1-11 "Ephesians 1:11-14 - Our Inheritance in Christ") and [1 Peter 1:3-4](/1_peter/1-3 "1 Peter 1:3-4 - A Living Hope and Inheritance")). Just as the Jubilee brought freedom from debt and a return to ancestral land, Christ's work proclaims "liberty to the captives" ([Luke 4:18](/luke/4-18 "Luke 4:18 - Jesus Proclaims His Mission")), freeing us from the debt of sin and restoring us to a relationship with God, ushering in a spiritual Jubilee where all who believe are brought back to their true home and eternal inheritance in Him.

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.