Leviticus 25:29

KJV

And if a man sell a dwelling house in a walled city, then he may redeem it within a whole year after it is sold; [within] a full year may he redeem it.

KJV (with Strong's)

And if a man {H376} sell {H4376} a dwelling {H4186} house {H1004} in a walled {H2346} city {H5892}, then he may redeem {H1353} it within a whole {H8552} year {H8141} after it is sold {H4465}; within a full year {H3117} may he redeem {H1353} it.

Complete Jewish Bible

"'If someone sells a dwelling in a walled city, he has one year after the date of sale in which to redeem it. For a full year he will have the right of redemption;

Berean Standard Bible

If a man sells a house in a walled city, he retains his right of redemption until a full year after its sale; during that year it may be redeemed.

American Standard Version

And if a man sell a dwelling-house in a walled city, then he may redeem it within a whole year after it is sold; for a full year shall he have the right of redemption.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 25:29 details a specific regulation within Israel's Jubilee and Sabbatical laws, addressing the sale and redemption of dwelling houses located within walled cities. Unlike agricultural land, which was to revert to its original owners in the Year of Jubilee, urban houses were treated differently, allowing the original seller a limited window of one full year to redeem, or buy back, their property. This provision highlights God's concern for social stability and the prevention of permanent destitution, even within commercial transactions, while acknowledging the distinct nature of urban property.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 25 establishes God's profound laws concerning the Sabbatical Year (every seventh year) and the Jubilee Year (every fiftieth year), which governed land ownership, debt, and personal liberty in ancient Israel. The foundational principle articulated in this chapter is that "the land is mine; for ye are strangers and sojourners with me" ([Leviticus 25:23](/leviticus/25-23 "Leviticus 25:23 - God's Ownership of the Land")). This divine ownership meant that agricultural land could not be permanently alienated from its original tribal inheritance; it was to revert to the original family in the Jubilee. However, Leviticus 25:29 introduces a crucial exception to this general rule, specifically for houses located within walled cities, distinguishing them from both agricultural fields (governed by [Leviticus 25:23-28](/leviticus/25-23-28 "Leviticus 25:23-28 - Laws of Land Redemption")) and houses in unwalled villages (treated like open land in [Leviticus 25:31](/leviticus/25-31 "Leviticus 25:31 - Houses in Unwalled Villages")). This verse, along with the subsequent [Leviticus 25:30](/leviticus/25-30 "Leviticus 25:30 - Permanent Sale of Urban Houses After One Year"), sets forth a unique legal framework for urban dwellings.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Israel was predominantly an agrarian society, where land ownership was intrinsically linked to tribal identity, family sustenance, and the covenantal promises of God. However, cities, especially those with defensive walls, served as centers for commerce, administration, and concentrated populations. Houses within these walled cities were often viewed more as personal residences or commercial assets rather than integral parts of the tribal agricultural inheritance. The distinction in law likely arose from this practical reality: urban property transactions needed a degree of finality to facilitate trade and urban development, which was less critical for agricultural land tied to the long-term tribal economy. The one-year redemption window provided a brief period of grace, allowing a seller who might have been forced to sell due to financial distress an opportunity to recover and repurchase their home, thus offering a measure of social safety within the urban economic sphere. After this year, the sale became permanent, reflecting a more commercial understanding of such property compared to the divinely ordained inalienability of ancestral agricultural land.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Redeem (Hebrew, גאל, _ga'al'_):** This verb signifies 'to buy back,' 'to reclaim,' or 'to act as a kinsman-redeemer.' In the context of Leviticus 25, *ga'al* is central to the concept of restoration and reversal of unfortunate circumstances, whether it be land, a person, or in this verse, a house. The right to redeem highlights God's provision for recovery and the temporary nature of certain transactions, preventing permanent loss for the original owner.
* **Walled city (Hebrew, עִיר חוֹמָה, _'iyr chowmah'_):** This specific phrase is crucial, as it explicitly defines the type of location that triggers this distinct legal treatment. A "walled city" implies a fortified, established urban center, typically with a more developed commercial economy and denser population than unwalled villages or open agricultural areas. The legal differentiation underscores that these urban dwellings were considered distinct from the ancestral land inheritance, allowing for a more permanent form of sale after the redemption period.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And if a man sell a dwelling house in a walled city":** This clause establishes the precise conditions under which this particular law applies. It specifies the type of property ("dwelling house") and its location ("in a walled city"), immediately setting it apart from other forms of property addressed in Leviticus 25. This distinction is foundational to understanding the unique legal provision that follows.
* **"then he may redeem it within a whole year after it is sold;":** This grants the original seller a specific and limited timeframe—one full year—during which they retain the exclusive right to repurchase their sold property. This period serves as a grace period, a safety net, or an opportunity for the seller to recover financially and reclaim their home, reflecting God's compassionate concern for those in distress.
* **"[within] a full year may he redeem it.":** This repetition of the one-year redemption period serves to emphasize the strictness and finality of this timeframe. It underscores that unlike agricultural land, which could be redeemed at any time until the Jubilee, the right to redeem an urban dwelling was strictly time-bound. After this year, the sale became permanent, and the property did not revert in the Jubilee, as detailed in the subsequent verse, [Leviticus 25:30](/leviticus/25-30 "Leviticus 25:30 - Permanent Sale of Urban Houses After One Year").

#### Literary Devices
The text of Leviticus 25:29 employs several literary devices to convey its meaning with clarity and emphasis. **Legal Precision** is paramount, as the verse uses highly specific terminology ("dwelling house," "walled city," "whole year") to define the exact scope and limitations of the law, ensuring there is no ambiguity regarding its application. This precision is characteristic of legal codes throughout the Pentateuch. **Contrast** is implicitly but powerfully used; by setting this law apart, the text highlights the distinct treatment of urban dwellings compared to agricultural land (which reverts in the Jubilee) and houses in unwalled villages (which are treated like open land), thereby emphasizing the unique legal category for urban property. Finally, **Emphasis through Repetition** is evident in the phrase "within a whole year... [within] a full year," which reiterates and reinforces the strict, non-negotiable nature of the redemption period for houses in walled cities, underscoring the finality of the transaction after this window closes.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 25:29, though a detailed legal provision, reveals profound theological truths about God's character and His design for human society. It demonstrates God's concern for justice, social equity, and the prevention of permanent destitution within His covenant community. While acknowledging the practicalities of urban commerce and property transactions, God still instituted a mechanism for recovery, reflecting His compassionate nature. The concept of "redemption" (Hebrew: *ga'al*) is a central theme, not only in this verse but throughout Leviticus 25, pointing to God's restorative power and His ultimate ownership of all things. Even in this limited, earthly context of buying back property, the principle foreshadows a greater, spiritual redemption.

* [Leviticus 25:23](/leviticus/25-23 "Leviticus 25:23 - God's Ownership of the Land")
* [Ruth 4:4](/ruth/4-4 "Ruth 4:4 - Boaz and the Kinsman-Redeemer")
* [Jeremiah 32:6-8](/jeremiah/32-6-8 "Jeremiah 32:6-8 - Jeremiah's Purchase of a Field")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Leviticus 25:29, despite its ancient and specific context, offers enduring principles for reflection and application in contemporary life. It reminds us that God is deeply concerned with the economic and social well-being of His people, establishing laws that balance individual rights with communal stability and opportunities for recovery. This passage challenges us to consider our own understanding of ownership and stewardship, recognizing that all our possessions are ultimately temporary and belong to God. The provision for redemption, even for a limited time, speaks to God's desire to prevent permanent loss and offer a chance for restoration. For us today, it encourages us to build economic and social systems that reflect God's justice and mercy, providing safety nets and opportunities for those facing hardship, rather than allowing unchecked accumulation or permanent disadvantage. It calls us to embody a spirit of generosity and compassion, understanding that our material wealth is a trust from God, to be managed in ways that honor Him and serve others.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this specific law reflect God's character and priorities for His people?**
* **In what ways does the concept of "redemption" in this verse foreshadow a greater spiritual truth?**
* **How can we apply the principles of stewardship and temporary ownership to our own possessions today?**

### FAQ

**Why was there a different rule for houses in walled cities compared to agricultural land?**

Answer: The distinction arose from the different functions and theological significance of these properties. Agricultural land in Israel was tied to tribal inheritance, family livelihood, and the covenantal promise of God's land ownership ([Leviticus 25:23](/leviticus/25-23 "Leviticus 25:23 - God's Ownership of the Land")). It was meant to revert to the original family in the Jubilee to prevent permanent loss of ancestral livelihood and ensure the perpetuation of tribal identity. Houses in walled cities, however, were viewed more as personal or commercial assets. These urban dwellings were not directly linked to the agrarian economy or the system of tribal land distribution. The limited one-year redemption period balanced the seller's need for a temporary safety net (a chance to recover and repurchase) with the buyer's desire for a more final and stable transaction in an urban, commercial context. After this year, the sale became permanent, as stated in [Leviticus 25:30](/leviticus/25-30 "Leviticus 25:30 - Permanent Sale of Urban Houses After One Year"), unlike agricultural land which always reverted in the Jubilee. This distinction highlights God's nuanced approach to property law, recognizing the practicalities of different types of assets within society.

**What does "redeem" mean in this context?**

Answer: In Leviticus 25:29, "redeem" (Hebrew: *ga'al*) means to buy back or reclaim the property that was sold. It refers to the original owner's right to repurchase their dwelling house within a specific, limited timeframe—one full year. This concept is central to the laws of [Leviticus 25](/leviticus/25 "Leviticus 25 - Sabbatical and Jubilee Years"), where it applies not only to houses but also to land and even persons, emphasizing the temporary nature of certain sales or indentured servitude and God's provision for restoration and reversal of misfortune. It's a legal mechanism designed to prevent permanent loss and ensure a measure of social and economic recovery for the seller.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The earthly concept of redemption in Leviticus 25:29, where a person could buy back a lost possession, serves as a powerful shadow of the ultimate spiritual redemption accomplished by Jesus Christ. Just as the law provided a temporary means for an Israelite to recover what was lost, Christ, our divine Kinsman-Redeemer, provided the permanent and complete means for humanity to be restored to God. We, like the sold house, were alienated from our true inheritance and enslaved by sin and death ([Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin")). Jesus, being fully God and fully man, was uniquely qualified to "redeem" us, paying the ultimate price not with silver or gold, but with His precious blood ([1 Peter 1:18-19](/1_peter/1-18-19 "1 Peter 1:18-19 - Redemption Through Christ's Blood")). Through His sacrifice, He has bought us back from the dominion of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of His beloved Son ([Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13-14 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Redemption and Forgiveness")). Unlike the one-year limit for urban houses, Christ's redemption is eternal, securing for us an imperishable inheritance and a permanent dwelling place in God's presence ([John 14:2-3](/john/14-2-3 "John 14:2-3 - Jesus Prepares a Place for Us"), [Ephesians 1:7](/ephesians/1-7 "Ephesians 1:7 - Redemption Through His Blood")). He not only reclaims us but transforms us, making us new creations and heirs of God's promises ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ"), [Galatians 4:4-7](/galatians/4-4-7 "Galatians 4:4-7 - Adoption as Sons")).

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.