Leviticus 25:48

After that he is sold he may be redeemed again; one of his brethren may redeem him:

After {H310} that he is sold {H4376} he may be redeemed again {H1353}; one {H259} of his brethren {H251} may redeem {H1350} him:

he may be redeemed after he has been sold. One of his brothers may redeem him;

he retains the right of redemption after he has sold himself. One of his brothers may redeem him:

after that he is sold he may be redeemed: one of his brethren may redeem him;

Commentary

Leviticus 25:48 KJV Commentary: This verse is part of God's detailed instructions to the Israelites concerning the laws of the Sabbatical Year and the Year of Jubilee, particularly addressing situations of economic hardship and servitude.

Context

Leviticus Chapter 25 lays out the foundational principles for land ownership, debt, and personal freedom within the Israelite community, all rooted in God's ultimate ownership of the land and His people. Specifically, verses 47-55 deal with an Israelite who, due to poverty, sells himself into servitude to a "sojourner" or "stranger" living among them. Unlike selling oneself to another Israelite (where the servitude was less severe and ended at the Jubilee), selling to a foreigner presented a greater risk of permanent or harsher bondage. Verse 48 introduces the crucial provision for such a person's liberation, stating that even after being sold, there is a pathway to freedom.

Key Themes

  • Redemption and Restoration: The core message is that even if an Israelite is sold into servitude, their freedom is not lost forever. God provides a way for them to be bought back, emphasizing the principle of restoration and the sanctity of personal liberty within the covenant. This aligns with the broader themes of release and liberty during the Year of Jubilee.
  • Kinsman-Redeemer: The phrase "one of his brethren may redeem him" highlights the role of the go'el, or kinsman-redeemer. This family member had the legal and moral obligation to buy back property or persons to keep them within the family and preserve the family's inheritance and standing. This concept is beautifully illustrated in the Book of Ruth with Boaz as a kinsman-redeemer, where he fulfills this role for Naomi and Ruth.
  • God's Ownership: Underlying these laws is the theological truth that God owns the land and His people. "For the children of Israel are my servants; they are my servants whom I brought forth out of the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God" (Leviticus 25:55). This divine ownership ensured that no Israelite could be permanently enslaved, even if economic circumstances forced temporary servitude.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "redeem" used here is ga'al (Χ’ΧΧœ). This term carries significant theological weight. It means to 'buy back,' 'ransom,' 'deliver,' or 'act as a kinsman-redeemer.' It implies a close relationship and a legal obligation to restore what was lost or taken. This same word is famously used for God's act of redeeming Israel from slavery in Egypt, highlighting a divine pattern for human relationships and God's covenant faithfulness.

Practical Application

Leviticus 25:48 offers several enduring lessons for believers today:

  • Compassion for the Vulnerable: It demonstrates God's heart for the poor and those in bondage, establishing a system that prevented perpetual oppression and offered hope for release. This principle calls us to extend mercy and aid to those suffering economic hardship or any form of oppression.
  • Community Responsibility: The law emphasizes the importance of family and community in caring for its members, especially in times of crisis. Believers today are called to bear one another's burdens and extend help to those in need, reflecting God's love and justice.
  • Foreshadowing of Christ: This Old Testament concept of the kinsman-redeemer powerfully foreshadows Jesus Christ. Just as a kinsman could redeem a relative from servitude, Christ, being fully human and our "kinsman" through His incarnation, redeemed humanity from the bondage of sin and death. He paid the ultimate price with His own blood (Ephesians 1:7), making Him our ultimate Kinsman-Redeemer, who sets us free from spiritual slavery.
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Cross-References

  • Hebrews 2:11

    For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified [are] all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

  • Hebrews 2:13

    And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.

  • Nehemiah 5:5

    Yet now our flesh [is] as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children: and, lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and [some] of our daughters are brought unto bondage [already]: neither [is it] in our power [to redeem them]; for other men have our lands and vineyards.

  • Leviticus 25:35

    And if thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee; then thou shalt relieve him: [yea, though he be] a stranger, or a sojourner; that he may live with thee.

  • Galatians 4:4

    But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

  • Galatians 4:5

    To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

  • Leviticus 25:25

    If thy brother be waxen poor, and hath sold away [some] of his possession, and if any of his kin come to redeem it, then shall he redeem that which his brother sold.
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