Leviticus 25:50

And he shall reckon with him that bought him from the year that he was sold to him unto the year of jubile: and the price of his sale shall be according unto the number of years, according to the time of an hired servant shall it be with him.

And he shall reckon {H2803} with him that bought {H7069} him from the year {H8141} that he was sold {H4376} to him unto the year {H8141} of jubile {H3104}: and the price {H3701} of his sale {H4465} shall be according unto the number {H4557} of years {H8141}, according to the time {H3117} of an hired servant {H7916} shall it be with him.

He will calculate with the person who bought him the time from the year he sold himself to him to the year of yovel; and the amount to be paid will be according to the number of years and his time at an employee's wage.

He and his purchaser will then count the time from the year he sold himself up to the Year of Jubilee. The price of his sale will be determined by the number of years, based on the daily wages of a hired hand.

And he shall reckon with him that bought him from the year that he sold himself to him unto the year of jubilee: and the price of his sale shall be according unto the number of years; according to the time of a hired servant shall he be with him.

Commentary

Leviticus 25:50 is part of God's detailed instructions to Israel regarding the Sabbatical Year and the Jubilee, particularly concerning the redemption of Israelites who had fallen into debt and sold themselves into servitude to a foreigner or temporary resident.

Context

The book of Leviticus outlines the laws and regulations given by God to the Israelites, focusing on holiness, worship, and social justice. Chapter 25 introduces the unique and foundational laws of the Jubilee year, which occurred every 50th year. This was a time of national liberation and economic reset, where land returned to its original families and all Israelite indentured servants were set free. Verse 50 specifically addresses the situation of an Israelite who had been sold into servitude to a non-Israelite. It mandates a fair system for their redemption before the Jubilee, ensuring that the price was proportionate to the number of years remaining until the next Jubilee.

Key Themes

  • Redemption and Freedom: This verse highlights God's provision for the redemption of His people from servitude. It underscores the divine principle that no Israelite should remain permanently enslaved, reflecting God's desire for freedom for His covenant people.
  • Fairness and Justice: The calculation of the redemption price "according unto the number of years" demonstrates God's emphasis on equitable dealings. The value of the servant's remaining service was meticulously measured, preventing exploitation and ensuring a just transaction for both the servant and the buyer.
  • God's Ownership: Underlying these laws is the profound truth that God owns the land and the people of Israel. As Leviticus 25:23 states, "The land shall not be sold for ever: for the land is mine; for ye are strangers and sojourners with me." Similarly, the Israelites were God's servants, bought out of Egyptian bondage, and therefore could not be permanently enslaved by others.
  • Temporary Servitude: The phrase "according to the time of an hired servant" emphasizes that even if an Israelite sold themselves, their status was never one of permanent slavery but rather temporary indentured servitude, akin to a hired worker whose contract had a defined end.

Linguistic Insights

The term "jubilee" comes from the Hebrew word yobel (Χ™Χ•ΦΉΧ‘Φ΅Χœ), which refers to the ram's horn trumpet used to proclaim the year of liberty. The calculation described in this verse ensures that the price paid for redemption was not a fixed sum, but a decreasing amount based on the remaining years until the trumpet of freedom would sound. The concept of an "hired servant" (Hebrew: Χ©Χ‚ΦΈΧ›Φ΄Χ™Χ¨, sakir) further reinforces the temporary nature of the servitude, highlighting that the individual was essentially selling their labor for a set period, not their person permanently.

Practical Application

While these laws are specific to ancient Israel, the principles resonate with timeless spiritual truths. This verse reminds us of God's heart for justice, mercy, and ultimate freedom for those who belong to Him. Spiritually, humanity was sold into bondage to sin, but Christ came to pay the ultimate redemption price, offering spiritual redemption. Just as the Israelite servant looked forward to the Jubilee, believers anticipate the full and final freedom found in Christ. The passage also encourages us to live justly, care for the vulnerable, and remember that our ultimate allegiance and ownership belong to God, not to any earthly master or system.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 16:14

    But now the LORD hath spoken, saying, Within three years, as the years of an hireling, and the glory of Moab shall be contemned, with all that great multitude; and the remnant [shall be] very small [and] feeble.

  • Isaiah 21:16

    For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Within a year, according to the years of an hireling, and all the glory of Kedar shall fail:

  • Deuteronomy 15:18

    It shall not seem hard unto thee, when thou sendest him away free from thee; for he hath been worth a double hired servant [to thee], in serving thee six years: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all that thou doest.

  • Leviticus 25:53

    [And] as a yearly hired servant shall he be with him: [and the other] shall not rule with rigour over him in thy sight.

  • Leviticus 25:40

    [But] as an hired servant, [and] as a sojourner, he shall be with thee, [and] shall serve thee unto the year of jubile:

  • Job 7:1

    ΒΆ [Is there] not an appointed time to man upon earth? [are not] his days also like the days of an hireling?

  • Job 7:2

    As a servant earnestly desireth the shadow, and as an hireling looketh for [the reward of] his work:
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