Leviticus 25:28

KJV

But if he be not able to restore [it] to him, then that which is sold shall remain in the hand of him that hath bought it until the year of jubile: and in the jubile it shall go out, and he shall return unto his possession.

KJV (with Strong's)

But if he {H3027} be not able {H1767} to restore {H4672}{H7725} it to him, then that which is sold {H4465} shall remain in the hand {H3027} of him that hath bought {H7069} it until the year {H8141} of jubile {H3104}: and in the jubile {H3104} it shall go out {H3318}, and he shall return {H7725} unto his possession {H272}.

Complete Jewish Bible

If he hasn't sufficient means to get it back himself, then what he sold will remain in the hands of the buyer until the year of yovel; in the yovel the buyer will vacate it and the seller return to his property.

Berean Standard Bible

But if he cannot obtain enough to repay him, what he sold will remain in possession of the buyer until the Year of Jubilee. In the Jubilee, however, it is to be released, so that he may return to his property.

American Standard Version

But if he be not able to get it back for himself, then that which he hath sold shall remain in the hand of him that hath bought it until the year of jubilee: and in the jubilee it shall go out, and he shall return unto his possession.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 25:28 details a specific provision within the comprehensive Jubilee law: if an Israelite, having sold their ancestral land due to economic hardship, is unable to repurchase it before the fiftieth Year of Jubilee, the land is not permanently lost. Instead, it remains with the buyer until the Jubilee, at which point it automatically reverts to its original owner or family, ensuring the restoration of hereditary possession and preventing the permanent disenfranchisement of families from their tribal inheritance. This verse underscores God's commitment to social equity, the temporary nature of land sales in Israel, and the ultimate divine ownership of the land.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 25 outlines God's intricate laws for the Sabbath year (every seventh year, land lies fallow, debts are released) and the climactic Year of Jubilee (every fiftieth year). These regulations are foundational to Israel's socio-economic structure, designed to prevent permanent economic disparity and ensure that ancestral land inheritances remained within families. Verses [Leviticus 25:23-27](/leviticus/25-23 "Leviticus 25:23-27 - Land Redemption Laws") establish the principle that land sold due to poverty could be redeemed by the original owner or a kinsman at any time before the Jubilee, with the price adjusted based on the remaining years until the Jubilee. Verse [Leviticus 25:28](/leviticus/25-28 "Leviticus 25:28 - Land Reversion at Jubilee") specifically addresses the scenario where such redemption is not possible, serving as a failsafe to guarantee the land's return at the Jubilee, thus completing the divine system for land tenure and social justice.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, land was not merely property; it was a sacred inheritance, divinely allotted to each tribe and family as part of the covenant promise (e.g., [Numbers 26:52-56](/numbers/26-52 "Numbers 26:52-56 - Allotment of Land by Lot")). To sell one's land was a sign of severe economic distress, often a last resort before debt slavery. Unlike many ancient Near Eastern societies where land sales could be permanent, God's law in Israel established a unique system where land could only be "leased" until the next Jubilee. This prevented the concentration of wealth and power in the hands of a few, maintained tribal identity, and ensured that no family would be permanently dispossessed. The Jubilee served as a periodic "reset" button, a radical act of social justice that reflected God's compassionate heart for the poor and His ultimate sovereignty over all creation, as stated in [Leviticus 25:23](/leviticus/25-23 "Leviticus 25:23 - The Land Belongs to God").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Jubile (Hebrew, _yobel'_):** This term (יוֹבֵל) refers to the ram's horn trumpet, which was blown to solemnly announce the beginning of the Jubilee year. The sound of the _yobel_ signaled a profound declaration of liberty, release, and the return of land to its original owners, symbolizing a divine "reset" for the entire nation.
* **Possession (Hebrew, _ʾaḥuzzâ'_):** The Hebrew word (אֲחֻזָּה) denotes a permanent, hereditary holding or property, particularly land that was allotted as an inheritance. The emphasis on returning to one's "possession" highlights the sacred and inalienable nature of the tribal land allotments, which were not to be permanently alienated from the family line.
* **Restore (Hebrew, _gaʾal'_):** The verb (גָּאַל) means to redeem, buy back, or act as a kinsman-redeemer. In the context of land, it refers to the act of repurchasing alienated property. The inability to "restore" in this verse underscores the dire economic situation of the seller and highlights the Jubilee as God's ultimate, non-negotiable mechanism for restoration when human means fail.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But if he be not able to restore [it] to him":** This clause addresses the specific scenario where the original owner, having sold their land due to poverty, lacks the financial means to repurchase it, either personally or through a kinsman-redeemer, before the Jubilee year. It highlights the vulnerability of the poor and the limits of human capacity for self-redemption.
* **"then that which is sold shall remain in the hand of him that hath bought it until the year of jubile":** This specifies the temporary nature of the land transaction. The buyer's tenure is explicitly limited to the period leading up to the Jubilee. It underscores that the sale is not a permanent transfer of ownership but a lease, with a divinely mandated expiration date.
* **"and in the jubile it shall go out":** This declares the automatic and unconditional release of the land at the commencement of the Jubilee year. Regardless of the seller's financial status or the buyer's desires, the land is divinely commanded to be released from the buyer's possession. This emphasizes God's sovereignty over the land and His laws.
* **"and he shall return unto his possession":** This final clause affirms the ultimate restoration of the land to its original family. It signifies the re-establishment of the ancestral inheritance, ensuring that every family retains its place and economic foundation within the tribal structure, reflecting God's order and justice.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 25:28 primarily functions as a **Legal Prescription**, a clear and unambiguous statute within the broader Mosaic Law. Its precise language outlines a specific contingency and its mandated outcome, leaving no room for ambiguity regarding the land's ultimate fate. The verse employs **Repetition** of the term "Jubile," reinforcing the pivotal role of this special year as the ultimate arbiter of land ownership. This repetition also imbues the concept with a sense of inevitability and divine authority. Furthermore, the entire Jubilee system, of which this verse is a part, serves as powerful **Symbolism**. It symbolizes God's ultimate ownership of the land, His commitment to justice and equity, and His provision for a "reset" or redemption that transcends human limitations. There is also an implicit **Contrast** between the temporary human transaction of selling land and the permanent, divinely ordained right of ancestral possession, highlighting the supremacy of God's design over human economic arrangements.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 25:28 profoundly reveals God's character as a God of justice, compassion, and order. It underscores the theological principle that the land ultimately belongs to God, and humans are merely stewards, not absolute owners. This divine ownership serves as the foundation for the Jubilee, ensuring that economic hardship does not lead to permanent disenfranchisement. The law prevents the accumulation of wealth and land in a few hands, promoting social equity and providing a built-in mechanism for the poor to regain their inheritance and dignity. It reflects God's desire for a society where all have access to the means of production and a secure familial identity, demonstrating His covenant faithfulness to His people.

* [Leviticus 25:23](/leviticus/25-23 "Leviticus 25:23 - The Land Belongs to God")
* [Deuteronomy 15:1-2](/deuteronomy/15-1 "Deuteronomy 15:1-2 - The Sabbatical Year of Release")
* [Isaiah 61:1-2](/isaiah/61-1 "Isaiah 61:1-2 - Proclaiming Liberty to the Captives")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific land laws of the Jubilee are not directly applicable to believers today in a literal sense, the profound principles embedded in Leviticus 25:28 remain eternally relevant. This verse calls us to reflect on God's heart for justice, equity, and compassion for the vulnerable. It challenges our modern notions of absolute ownership, reminding us that all we possess—our resources, talents, and time—are ultimately on loan from God, and we are called to be faithful stewards. The Jubilee's guaranteed restoration offers a powerful message of hope: even when circumstances seem insurmountable, and human efforts to "restore" fail, God has a divine "reset" button, a promise of ultimate restoration and release. This should inspire us to advocate for social justice, support initiatives that alleviate poverty, and extend grace and second chances to those who have fallen on hard times, reflecting the redemptive character of God in our communities.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the principle of the Jubilee challenge our contemporary understanding of wealth, property, and economic systems?**
* **In what practical ways can we, as individuals or communities, embody the compassionate and restorative spirit of the Jubilee in our interactions with the poor and marginalized?**
* **How does the guaranteed hope of restoration in the Jubilee year encourage you when facing seemingly permanent losses or insurmountable challenges in your own life?**

### FAQ
**What was the primary purpose of the Year of Jubilee?**

Answer: The primary purpose of the Year of Jubilee was to prevent permanent economic disparity and maintain the equitable distribution of land among the Israelite tribes, as originally allotted by God (e.g., [Numbers 26:52-56](/numbers/26-52 "Numbers 26:52-56 - Allotment of Land by Lot")). It served as a divine "reset" button every 50 years, ensuring that ancestral land returned to its original family, debts were released, and Israelite slaves were set free. This system reinforced the theological truth that the land ultimately belonged to God ([Leviticus 25:23](/leviticus/25-23 "Leviticus 25:23 - The Land Belongs to God")) and promoted social justice, compassion for the poor, and the preservation of tribal identity.

**Did the Jubilee really happen, or was it an ideal?**

Answer: While the detailed implementation of the Jubilee in Israel's history is a subject of scholarly debate, and there is limited direct historical evidence of its consistent, widespread practice, the *principle* and *ideal* of the Jubilee were undoubtedly foundational to Israel's legal, social, and theological worldview. The laws were clearly given by God, and the concept of release and restoration deeply influenced prophetic messages (e.g., [Isaiah 61:1-2](/isaiah/61-1 "Isaiah 61:1-2 - Proclaiming Liberty to the Captives")) and Messianic expectations. Even if full historical implementation was challenging, the Jubilee served as a constant reminder of God's ideal for His people and His kingdom, shaping their understanding of justice, mercy, and divine sovereignty.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The Jubilee, with its themes of release, restoration, and return to possession, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the true and eternal Jubilee for humanity. Just as the ram's horn announced liberty and a return to ancestral land, Jesus inaugurated "the year of the Lord's favor" ([Luke 4:18-19](/luke/4-18 "Luke 4:18-19 - Jesus Proclaims His Mission"), echoing [Isaiah 61:1-2](/isaiah/61-1 "Isaiah 61:1-2 - The Spirit of the Lord is Upon Me")), proclaiming spiritual liberty to those enslaved by sin. Through His sacrificial death and resurrection, Christ acts as our ultimate Kinsman-Redeemer, paying the price to buy us back from the bondage of sin and spiritual debt ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us"), [Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Redemption Through Christ")). He restores us not to a physical plot of land, but to our true "possession" and inheritance as children of God, members of His eternal kingdom ([Ephesians 1:11](/ephesians/1-11 "Ephesians 1:11 - Our Inheritance in Christ"), [1 Peter 1:3-5](/1_peter/1-3 "1 Peter 1:3-5 - A Living Hope and Incorruptible Inheritance")). In Christ, the cycle of poverty and loss is broken, and we are granted an imperishable inheritance, a permanent return to fellowship with God, our rightful owner and source of all life. He is the one who truly sets the captives free and brings us home.

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

1 Peter 1:4

To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

1 Peter 1:5

Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

1 Thessalonians 4:13

¶ But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

1 Thessalonians 4:18

Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Isaiah 35:9

No lion shall be there, nor [any] ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk [there]:

Isaiah 35:10

And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

1 Corinthians 15:52

In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.