Leviticus 25:41

KJV

And [then] shall he depart from thee, [both] he and his children with him, and shall return unto his own family, and unto the possession of his fathers shall he return.

KJV (with Strong's)

And then shall he depart {H3318} from thee, both he and his children {H1121} with him, and shall return {H7725} unto his own family {H4940}, and unto the possession {H272} of his fathers {H1} shall he return {H7725}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then he will leave you, he and his children with him, and return to his own family and regain possession of his ancestral land.

Berean Standard Bible

Then he and his children are to be released, and he may return to his clan and to the property of his fathers.

American Standard Version

then shall he go out from thee, he and his children with him, and shall return unto his own family, and unto the possession of his fathers shall he return.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 25:41 encapsulates a pivotal aspect of the Year of Jubilee, God's divinely ordained system of societal reset for ancient Israel. This verse specifically outlines the complete liberation of an Israelite who had entered temporary servitude due to economic hardship, ensuring their full return, along with their children, to their ancestral family and inherited land. It underscores God's profound commitment to justice, equity, and the preservation of family heritage, preventing permanent disenfranchisement and maintaining the foundational social and economic structure of the covenant community.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 25 presents God's intricate laws concerning the Sabbatical Year (every seventh year) and the Year of Jubilee (every fiftieth year). The preceding verses, specifically [Leviticus 25:39-40](/leviticus/25-39 "Leviticus 25:39-40 - Treatment of Indentured Servants"), detail the compassionate treatment of an Israelite who sells himself into servitude due to poverty, emphasizing that such a person is not to be treated as a slave but as a hired worker or sojourner, because "they are My servants whom I brought out of the land of Egypt." This foundational principle of divine ownership and liberation sets the stage for verse 41, which then provides the climactic resolution of this temporary servitude. The entire chapter builds towards the ultimate release and restoration proclaimed in the Jubilee year, ensuring that no Israelite would remain permanently dispossessed or enslaved.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Near Eastern societies often had systems of debt-slavery where individuals could sell themselves or their family members into servitude to pay off debts. However, Israel's Jubilee system, unique in its scope and frequency, stood in stark contrast to these practices. The concept of inherited land was central to Israelite identity, as the land was distributed by lot among the tribes after the conquest ([Numbers 26:52-56](/numbers/26-52 "Numbers 26:52-56 - Land Distribution by Lot")). God declared His ultimate ownership of the land ([Leviticus 25:23](/leviticus/25-23 "Leviticus 25:23 - The Land is Mine")), meaning it could not be permanently sold. The Jubilee provided a divinely mandated mechanism to prevent the accumulation of wealth and land by a few, ensuring that economic disparities did not lead to permanent social stratification. It was a radical form of social justice, designed to reset the economic playing field every fifty years, reflecting God's covenant faithfulness and His desire for the well-being of all His people, echoing their own liberation from Egyptian bondage ([Exodus 20:2](/exodus/20-2 "Exodus 20:2 - The Lord Who Brought You Out of Egypt")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **depart (יָצָא, _yatsa'_):** This Hebrew verb signifies "to go out," "to come forth," or "to be released." In the context of Leviticus 25:41, it denotes a definitive and authorized exit from a state of servitude. It's not an escape, but a divinely sanctioned departure, emphasizing the legal and covenantal basis for the Israelite's freedom. The word carries a sense of completion and finality regarding their temporary obligation.
* **return (שׁוּב, _shuv_):** Repeated twice in this verse, this verb is central to the concept of Jubilee. It means "to turn back," "to restore," or "to revert." Its repetition underscores the comprehensive nature of the restoration: a return not only to one's physical family but also to one's ancestral land and economic standing. It signifies a reversal of misfortune, a re-establishment of the original order, and a re-integration into the social and economic fabric of the community.
* **possession (אֲחֻזָּה, _achuzzah_):** This noun refers to an "inheritance," "property," or "possession," specifically inherited land. In the Israelite worldview, land was inextricably linked to identity, lineage, and covenant blessing. The return to the "possession of his fathers" was not merely an economic transaction but a restoration of dignity, social status, and a tangible connection to the Abrahamic promise of land. It ensured that no family would be permanently disinherited or alienated from their tribal portion.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And [then] shall he depart from thee,"**: This clause signifies the formal and mandatory release of the Israelite servant from the household of their temporary master. The "thee" refers to the master, indicating that the master is required to release the servant at the Jubilee. This departure is not optional but a divine command, marking the end of the contractual period of servitude.
* **"[both] he and his children with him,"**: This phrase emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the liberation. It includes not only the individual who entered servitude but also any children born to them during that period. This provision ensured that the next generation would not inherit their parent's economic hardship or servitude, securing their future and preserving the family line's connection to their heritage.
* **"and shall return unto his own family,"**: This clause highlights the social and relational restoration. The released individual and their children are to be re-integrated into their original family unit and kinship network. This return was vital for social identity, support, and the continuation of tribal lineage, preventing the dissolution of families due to economic distress.
* **"and unto the possession of his fathers shall he return."**: This final clause underscores the economic and territorial restoration. The individual is to regain their ancestral land, the portion of the Promised Land originally allotted to their family and tribe. This was the ultimate expression of Jubilee liberty, ensuring economic stability, self-sufficiency, and a tangible link to God's covenant promises, preventing the permanent concentration of land and wealth.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices to emphasize its profound message. **Repetition** of the verb "return" (שׁוּב, _shuv_) powerfully reinforces the central theme of restoration and reversal. The servant "shall return unto his own family, and unto the possession of his fathers shall he return," highlighting the dual and complete nature of this re-establishment—social and economic. This repetition creates a sense of definitive closure to the period of servitude and a triumphant re-entry into their rightful place. Furthermore, the two "return" clauses exhibit a form of **parallelism**, specifically **synonymous parallelism**, where similar ideas are expressed in successive phrases. "Return unto his own family" and "unto the possession of his fathers shall he return" both speak to the re-integration and re-establishment of the individual, reinforcing the completeness of the Jubilee's restorative power. Finally, the entire concept of the Jubilee, as encapsulated in this verse, functions as **symbolism**. It symbolizes God's ultimate sovereignty over His people and their land, His commitment to justice and equity, and His redemptive plan to liberate those in bondage and restore them to their rightful inheritance. It foreshadows a greater, spiritual liberation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 25:41 is not merely a legal statute but a profound theological statement about God's character and His covenant relationship with Israel. It reveals a God who is deeply concerned with justice, equity, and the well-being of the vulnerable. The Jubilee system, culminating in this verse's promise of return, demonstrates God's sovereign ownership over all creation, particularly the land of Israel, and His desire to prevent permanent social stratification or economic disenfranchisement among His people. It underscores the principle that human beings are ultimately God's servants, liberated by Him from bondage, and therefore should not be permanently enslaved by one another. This divine concern for restoration and liberty provides a foundational understanding of redemption, both physical and spiritual, echoing throughout the biblical narrative.
* [Isaiah 61:1-2](/isaiah/61-1 "Isaiah 61:1-2 - The Anointed One Proclaims Liberty")
* [Jeremiah 34:8-17](/jeremiah/34-8 "Jeremiah 34:8-17 - Broken Covenant and Release of Slaves")
* [Nehemiah 5:1-13](/nehemiah/5-1 "Nehemiah 5:1-13 - Nehemiah Addresses Social Injustice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Leviticus 25:41, though rooted in ancient Israelite law, provides timeless principles for reflection and application in contemporary life. It challenges us to consider God's heart for justice and His profound concern for those oppressed by economic hardship, debt, or social marginalization. The Jubilee's radical reset encourages us to examine systems and structures, both personal and societal, that perpetuate inequality or prevent people from thriving. It calls believers to embody God's restorative character by actively working towards liberation, advocating for the poor, and extending grace and forgiveness. Just as the Israelite servant looked forward to a definitive end to their bondage and a return to their inheritance, believers today are invited to live in the hope of ultimate restoration found in Christ, who frees us from spiritual servitude and restores us to our true identity and inheritance in Him. This verse reminds us that true freedom is found in returning to God's intended design for human flourishing, marked by equity, dignity, and belonging.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways does our society, or even our personal lives, fall short of the radical equity and restoration envisioned by the Jubilee laws?**
* **How can we, as individuals and communities, actively participate in bringing about "Jubilee moments" of liberation, forgiveness, and restoration for others?**
* **What does it mean to truly "return to the possession of our fathers" in a spiritual sense, considering our inheritance in Christ?**

### FAQ
**What was the primary purpose of the Year of Jubilee, as exemplified in Leviticus 25:41?**

Answer: The primary purpose of the Year of Jubilee was to prevent permanent economic and social stratification in Israel, ensuring that every Israelite family retained their ancestral land and that no one would fall into perpetual servitude. As highlighted in [Leviticus 25:41](/leviticus/25-41 "Leviticus 25:41 - Return to Family and Possession"), it mandated a comprehensive reset every fifty years, where all land reverted to its original owners and all Israelite indentured servants were set free. This system reflected God's ultimate ownership of the land ([Leviticus 25:23](/leviticus/25-23 "Leviticus 25:23 - The Land is Mine")) and His compassionate concern for social justice, equity, and the preservation of family heritage within the covenant community. It was a mechanism to maintain the foundational tribal structure and prevent the concentration of wealth and power in a few hands.

**Was the Year of Jubilee actually observed throughout Israelite history?**

Answer: While the laws of Jubilee are clearly laid out in Leviticus, historical and biblical evidence suggests that its full and consistent observance was likely sporadic, if at all. There are few explicit mentions of its widespread practice in the historical books of the Old Testament. Prophets like Jeremiah ([Jeremiah 34:8-17](/jeremiah/34-8 "Jeremiah 34:8-17 - Broken Covenant and Release of Slaves")) condemned the people for failing to release their servants, implying that the spirit of these laws was often neglected. However, the *ideal* of the Jubilee remained a powerful theological concept, embodying God's perfect standard for justice and restoration, even if imperfectly applied by His people. Its principles continued to shape Israelite thought and expectations for divine intervention and ultimate redemption.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 25:41, with its powerful declaration of liberation and return to inheritance, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Year of Jubilee, a temporal and earthly system designed to free the oppressed and restore lost inheritances, served as a prophetic shadow of the eternal spiritual Jubilee inaugurated by Christ. When Jesus began His public ministry, He famously quoted from [Isaiah 61:1-2](/isaiah/61-1 "Isaiah 61:1-2 - The Spirit of the Lord is Upon Me") in the synagogue at Nazareth, declaring, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor" ([Luke 4:18-19](/luke/4-18 "Luke 4:18-19 - Jesus Proclaims His Mission")). This "year of the Lord's favor" is a direct reference to the Jubilee, signifying that in Him, the ultimate liberation from the bondage of sin and death has arrived. Through Christ, we are not merely released from temporary servitude but are eternally freed from sin's dominion ([Romans 6:18](/romans/6-18 "Romans 6:18 - Freed from Sin")). We are restored not to an earthly family and possession, but to the family of God as adopted sons and daughters ([Galatians 4:4-7](/galatians/4-4 "Galatians 4:4-7 - Adoption as Sons")), and we inherit an imperishable, undefiled, and unfading inheritance in heaven ([1 Peter 1:3-4](/1_peter/1-3 "1 Peter 1:3-4 - A Living Hope and Inheritance")). Jesus is the true Jubilee, through whom all who are enslaved by sin can "depart" from their bondage and "return" to their rightful place as children of God, possessing an eternal inheritance secured by His sacrifice.

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.