Leviticus 25:38

KJV

I [am] the LORD your God, which brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, to give you the land of Canaan, [and] to be your God.

KJV (with Strong's)

I am the LORD {H3068} your God {H430}, which brought you forth {H3318} out of the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714}, to give {H5414} you the land {H776} of Canaan {H3667}, and to be your God {H430}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I am ADONAI your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt in order to give you the land of Kena'an and be your God.

Berean Standard Bible

I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt to give you the land of Canaan and to be your God.

American Standard Version

I am Jehovah your God, who brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, to give you the land of Canaan, and to be your God.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 25:38 serves as a profound divine declaration, anchoring the intricate social and economic laws of the Sabbatical and Jubilee years in God's immutable identity and His powerful redemptive acts for Israel. This verse encapsulates the foundational reasons for Israel's obedience, their unique covenant relationship with their Creator, and the ultimate divine authority behind the compassionate commands designed to ensure justice, equity, and the protection of the vulnerable within their community. It is a powerful reminder that their societal structure was to be a reflection of God's own character and faithfulness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 25:38 concludes a significant section (Leviticus 25:23-37) that details complex regulations concerning the redemption of land and houses, and the strict prohibition of usury (charging interest) when lending to fellow Israelites who had fallen into poverty. God's emphatic declaration in this verse provides the ultimate theological and ethical foundation for these compassionate commands. The entire chapter emphasizes God's ultimate ownership of the land, as stated in [Leviticus 25:23](/leviticus/25-23 "Leviticus 25:23 - The Land is Mine"), and His desire for justice, equity, and compassion within the community. These laws were designed to prevent the permanent impoverishment of families, ensure the periodic redistribution of wealth, and guarantee that the poor and vulnerable could regain their economic standing, thereby preserving the tribal land inheritance and preventing a landless underclass.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Israel was an agrarian society where land ownership was central to family identity, economic stability, and social status, serving as a tangible fulfillment of God's covenant promises. The threat of perpetual debt and the loss of ancestral land were existential crises for Israelite families. The Sabbatical year (every seventh year, [Leviticus 25:1-7](/leviticus/25-1 "Leviticus 25:1-7 - The Sabbatical Year")) and especially the Jubilee year (every fiftieth year, [Leviticus 25:8-12](/leviticus/25-8 "Leviticus 25:8-12 - The Year of Jubilee")) were revolutionary social mechanisms designed to prevent the accumulation of wealth and power in the hands of a few, and to ensure that all Israelites, particularly the poor, had the opportunity for economic reset and a return to their familial inheritance. These laws were radical in the ancient Near East, where debt slavery and permanent loss of land were common. God's self-identification as the one who "brought you forth out of the land of Egypt" (the [Exodus](/exodus/12 "Exodus 12 - The Passover and Exodus")) serves as the historical bedrock for these commands, reminding Israel that their freedom and their very existence as a nation were a result of God's redemptive act, obligating them to extend similar compassion and liberation to their own people.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD your God (Hebrew, _YHWH Elohim_):** This composite divine title is profoundly significant. **YHWH** (often rendered "LORD" in all caps) is God's personal, covenant name, revealed to Moses at the burning bush ([Exodus 3:14](/exodus/3-14 "Exodus 3:14 - I AM WHO I AM")). It emphasizes His self-existent, eternal, and unchanging nature, and His faithfulness to His covenant promises. **Elohim** is the more general term for God, highlighting His power, sovereignty, and role as Creator and Judge. Together, "YHWH Elohim" conveys a God who is both intimately relational, having entered into a covenant with Israel, and supremely powerful, capable of fulfilling all His promises and enforcing His commands. This declaration grounds the laws in the very character and authority of the Divine.
* **brought you forth (Hebrew, _hotseti_):** This verb, meaning "to bring out," "to lead forth," or "to cause to go out," is a direct and powerful reference to the Exodus event. It is a specific, active, and past-tense action of God. The Exodus was the defining moment of Israel's national identity, their liberation from slavery, and the establishment of their unique relationship with YHWH. By recalling this act, God reminds Israel that their very existence as a free people, capable of possessing the land and living under His laws, is solely due to His sovereign and redemptive power. This past act serves as the foundational motivation for present and future obedience.
* **land of Canaan (Hebrew, _'erets Kena'an_):** This refers to the specific geographical territory promised by God to Abraham and his descendants ([Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise to Abraham")). The giving of the land was a fulfillment of this ancient covenant promise, signifying God's faithfulness across generations. It was not a land earned by Israel but a gracious inheritance bestowed upon them. The land was not merely property but a sacred trust, a place where God's people were to live in covenant relationship with Him, reflecting His holiness and justice in their societal structures. Its possession was contingent upon their obedience and faithfulness to the covenant, making the laws of Jubilee and Sabbatical years crucial for maintaining their right to dwell there.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I [am] the LORD your God":** This opening phrase is a powerful self-identification, asserting God's supreme authority and intimate covenant relationship with Israel. It is the divine signature, validating all preceding commands and establishing the basis for Israel's obedience. It reminds them of His unique identity as their deliverer and sovereign ruler.
* **"which brought you forth out of the land of Egypt":** This clause directly references the pivotal Exodus event, God's mighty act of deliverance that freed Israel from slavery. It serves as the historical and redemptive foundation for their relationship with God, reminding them that their freedom and national existence are a direct result of His power and grace. This act established their identity as His chosen people.
* **"to give you the land of Canaan":** This highlights God's faithfulness to His ancient covenant promises made to the patriarchs. The land was a divine gift, not something earned, providing a place for Israel to dwell as a distinct people under God's rule. It signifies their inheritance and the tangible fulfillment of His word.
* **"[and] to be your God":** This final clause articulates the ultimate purpose of God's redemptive acts and promises. It signifies the establishment of an exclusive, reciprocal covenant relationship. God acts to bring them out and give them land so that He can be their God, and they, in turn, can be His people, living in complete devotion and obedience to Him, reflecting His holiness in their daily lives and social structures.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 25:38 employs several potent literary devices that amplify its message. The most prominent is **Covenant Formula**, where God identifies Himself in terms of His relationship to His people and His past redemptive acts. This formula, "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt," is a recurring motif throughout the Pentateuch (e.g., [Exodus 20:2](/exodus/20-2 "Exodus 20:2 - The First Commandment")), serving as the foundational preamble to the Decalogue and other laws. It establishes divine authority and reminds Israel of the basis for their obedience. There is also strong **Historical Allusion**, specifically to the Exodus and the promise of the land, which are the two most significant events in Israel's national memory. By invoking these, the verse taps into their collective identity and gratitude, making the subsequent commands non-negotiable. Finally, the verse functions as a powerful **Summary Statement** or **Theological Capstone**, drawing together the preceding economic laws and grounding them in the overarching narrative of God's character and His redemptive history with Israel. This rhetorical placement ensures that the practical commands are seen not as arbitrary rules but as expressions of God's very nature and His covenant faithfulness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 25:38 is a theological linchpin, asserting God's absolute sovereignty, His unwavering covenant faithfulness, and the redemptive nature of His relationship with Israel. It firmly establishes that the laws governing Israel's social and economic life, particularly those concerning land and debt, are not mere human statutes but divine imperatives rooted in God's identity and His saving acts. The verse underscores that Israel's obedience is a response to God's prior grace—He delivered them, gave them a land, and established a unique relationship with them. This foundational truth implies that their societal structure, marked by justice, compassion, and periodic redistribution, was to be a tangible reflection of God's own character and His desire for a holy and equitable community.

* [Exodus 20:2](/exodus/20-2 "Exodus 20:2 - The Preamble to the Ten Commandments")
* [Deuteronomy 6:20-25](/deuteronomy/6-20 "Deuteronomy 6:20-25 - Explaining the Commands to Your Children")
* [Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant Promise")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Leviticus 25:38 resonates deeply with believers today, reminding us that our obedience and ethical conduct are not arbitrary but flow directly from the profound reality of who God is and what He has done for us. Just as God delivered Israel from the bondage of Egypt, Christ has delivered us from the dominion of sin and death, bringing us into a new covenant relationship with God. This verse calls us to reflect on God's past faithfulness in our lives and in the grand narrative of redemption, culminating in Christ's sacrificial work. Our response to such profound grace should be one of deep gratitude, expressed through willing obedience and a desire to honor Him in all areas of life. It challenges us to embrace our identity as God's redeemed people, called to live in a way that reflects His character, especially in our dealings with others. This includes pursuing justice, showing mercy, and extending compassion, just as the laws of Jubilee and Sabbatical years aimed to ensure equity and care for the vulnerable in Israelite society. We are called to be agents of His kingdom, reflecting His justice and love in a broken world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does remembering God's past acts of deliverance and faithfulness (both in biblical history and in your personal life) motivate your obedience today?**
* **In what specific ways can you, as a follower of Christ, embody the principles of justice, equity, and compassion found in the Jubilee laws within your own community or sphere of influence?**
* **How does the declaration "to be your God" impact your understanding of your identity and purpose as a believer?**

### FAQ

**Why is the phrase "I am the LORD your God" so important in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "I am the LORD your God" (Hebrew: _YHWH Elohim_) is critically important because it serves as God's personal signature and covenant declaration. In [Leviticus 25:38](/leviticus/25-38 "Leviticus 25:38 - God's Covenant Identity"), it grounds all the preceding social and economic laws (like those for the Sabbatical and Jubilee years) in God's own character and authority. It reminds Israel that these commands are not arbitrary rules but flow from the very nature of the God who delivered them from slavery and established a unique relationship with them. It signifies that He is both supremely powerful (Elohim) and intimately faithful to His promises (YHWH), making their obedience a response to His prior grace and an act of covenant loyalty.

**How does this verse relate to the Jubilee laws and the prohibition of usury?**

Answer: [Leviticus 25:38](/leviticus/25-38 "Leviticus 25:38 - The Foundation for Jubilee") acts as the ultimate divine motivation and justification for the Jubilee laws and the prohibition of usury detailed earlier in [Leviticus 25](/leviticus/25 "Leviticus 25 - The Sabbatical and Jubilee Years"). The Jubilee laws (return of land, release of slaves) and the ban on charging interest to fellow Israelites in need were radical measures designed to prevent perpetual poverty and maintain social equity. God's declaration, "I am the LORD your God, which brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, to give you the land of Canaan, [and] to be your God," reminds Israel that their freedom, their land, and their very existence as a nation were gifts from Him. Therefore, they were obligated to live in a way that reflected His liberating and just character, ensuring that no Israelite would fall into permanent economic bondage or lose their ancestral inheritance. Their treatment of the poor was a direct reflection of their covenant relationship with God, who had redeemed them when they were poor and enslaved.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 25:38, with its emphasis on God's redemptive act of bringing Israel out of Egypt and into the promised land to be their God, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Exodus, God's mighty deliverance from physical slavery, serves as a powerful type of the spiritual liberation accomplished by Christ. Just as God "brought forth" Israel from bondage, so too has Christ "delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son" ([Colossians 1:13](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13 - Delivered from Darkness")). The promised land of Canaan, a place of rest and inheritance, foreshadows the greater spiritual inheritance and eternal rest that believers receive in Christ ([Hebrews 4:9](/hebrews/4-9 "Hebrews 4:9 - A Sabbath Rest Remains")). Through His atoning sacrifice, Jesus has not only secured our freedom but has also brought us into a new and living covenant, fulfilling the promise "to be your God" in an even more profound way. In Christ, God truly dwells among His people, and we become His temple ([2 Corinthians 6:16](/2_corinthians/6-16 "2 Corinthians 6:16 - You Are the Temple of the Living God")). The Jubilee laws, which sought to restore and liberate, point to 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")), bringing ultimate release from sin's debt and the restoration of our broken relationship with God. He is the true and final Redeemer, the one who brings us into the ultimate promised land of the New Heavens and New Earth, where God will truly "be with them and be their God" ([Revelation 21:3](/revelation/21-3 "Revelation 21:3 - God Dwells with His People")).

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 11:45

For I [am] the LORD that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I [am] holy.

Numbers 15:41

I [am] the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I [am] the LORD your God.

Exodus 20:2

I [am] the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

Jeremiah 31:33

But this [shall be] the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Hebrews 11:16

But now they desire a better [country], that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

Jeremiah 32:38

And they shall be my people, and I will be their God:

Jeremiah 31:1

¶ At the same time, saith the LORD, will I be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people.