Leviticus 25:50

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 25:50 precisely outlines the method for calculating the redemption price of an Israelite who had sold themselves into temporary servitude to a foreign resident, ensuring their liberation before the arrival of the Jubilee year. This verse underscores God's unwavering commitment to the freedom and inherent dignity of His covenant people, mandating a proportional repayment based on the remaining years until the great year of liberty. It thereby prevents exploitation and reinforces the foundational principle that all Israelites ultimately belong to God, not to any human master.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 25 is a pivotal chapter within the book, transitioning from detailed instructions on ritual purity, priestly duties, and offerings to the socio-economic laws governing the land and its inhabitants, particularly the Sabbatical Year (every seventh year, where the land rested) and the Jubilee Year (every fiftieth year). The preceding verses, specifically [Leviticus 25:39-46](/leviticus/25-39-46 "Leviticus 25:39-46 - Laws Concerning Israelite Servants"), establish the foundational principle that no Israelite could be permanently enslaved, especially not by another Israelite, as they are "the Lord's servants." The specific scenario of an Israelite selling themselves into servitude to a foreign resident is introduced in [Leviticus 25:47](/leviticus/25-47 "Leviticus 25:47 - Redemption of an Israelite Sold to a Foreigner"), setting the stage for the detailed redemption provisions outlined in verses 48-55. Verse 50, therefore, provides the precise economic mechanism for this redemption, ensuring fairness and upholding the divine principles of the Jubilee in such transactions.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the broader ancient Near Eastern societies, debt slavery was a common and often permanent practice, where individuals could sell themselves or family members into perpetual servitude to pay off debts. However, Israel's laws, divinely revealed through Moses, stood in stark contrast to these norms, emphasizing principles of justice, mercy, and the ultimate sovereignty of Yahweh over both land and people. The concept of the Jubilee year, proclaimed by the sound of the ram's horn (the _yobel_), was unique to Israel, serving as a national reset button every 50 years. This comprehensive liberation included the return of ancestral lands and the release of all Israelite indentured servants, regardless of their debt status. The provision in [Leviticus 25:50](/leviticus/25-50 "Leviticus 25:50 - Redemption Calculation") specifically addresses the vulnerability of an Israelite who, due to extreme poverty, might sell themselves to a non-Israelite. This scenario was particularly complex because a non-Israelite would not be bound by the same internal covenantal obligations to release the servant. The law ensures that even in such circumstances, the Israelite's temporary servitude was akin to that of a hired worker, with a calculable, diminishing value, reinforcing their ultimate freedom and belonging to God, not to any human master.
* **Key Themes:** Leviticus 25:50 significantly contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Leviticus and the Pentateuch. Foremost is the theme of **God's Sovereignty and Ownership**, particularly over the land and its people. The laws concerning the Sabbatical and Jubilee years (explored in [Leviticus 25:1-55](/leviticus/25 "Leviticus 25 - The Sabbatical and Jubilee Years")) repeatedly emphasize that the land belongs to God, and the Israelites are merely sojourners and tenants (cf. [Leviticus 25:23](/leviticus/25-23 "Leviticus 25:23 - God's Ownership of the Land")). This divine ownership is the theological bedrock for the prohibition of permanent enslavement of Israelites. Another critical theme is **Redemption and Liberation**. The entire system of the Jubilee and the provisions for early redemption underscore God's desire for His people to live in freedom, reflecting His act of redeeming them from slavery in Egypt (as recounted in [Exodus 12](/exodus/12 "Exodus 12 - The Passover")). Finally, the verse highlights **Justice and Equity**. The meticulous calculation of the redemption price, based on a diminishing value, demonstrates God's demand for fairness in all economic transactions, preventing exploitation of the vulnerable and ensuring that the poor are not perpetually trapped by their circumstances.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Reckon (Hebrew, _châshab_ H2803):** A primitive root meaning properly "to plait or interpenetrate," but figuratively, "to think, regard, value, compute." In this context, it denotes a precise, mathematical calculation and a deliberate, just assessment of value. The buyer is commanded to engage in a fair accounting, demonstrating God's demand for equity and careful consideration in all financial dealings, even those involving servitude. It implies a thoughtful, non-arbitrary determination of the remaining value.
* **Jubile (Hebrew, _yôwbêl_ H3104):** Apparently from a root meaning "to flow" or "bring," this term refers to "the blast of a horn (from its continuous sound); specifically, the signal of the silver trumpets; hence, the instrument itself and the festival thus introduced." It signifies the fiftieth year of liberty, a time of universal release and restoration. Its inclusion here emphasizes that the calculation of redemption is always framed by this ultimate, divinely ordained end-point of freedom, ensuring that no Israelite's servitude could extend beyond this fixed, liberating horizon.
* **Hired Servant (Hebrew, _sâkîyr_ H7916):** This term refers to "a man at wages by the day or year; hired (man, servant), hireling." By explicitly comparing the indentured Israelite to a "hired servant," the law fundamentally limits the nature of their servitude. It underscores that even when an Israelite sold their labor, they were not selling their person permanently but rather their service for a defined period, with an inherent end date (the Jubilee) or the possibility of earlier redemption. This distinction was crucial for maintaining the Israelite's dignity and their status as God's redeemed people, never to be treated as mere chattel.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he shall reckon with him that bought him from the year that he was sold to him unto the year of jubile:"** This initial clause establishes the precise timeframe for the calculation of the redemption price. It mandates that the buyer (or the Israelite seeking redemption, or a kinsman redeemer) must accurately calculate the value of the remaining service from the point of sale until the next Jubilee year. This highlights the diminishing value of the servant's labor over time, as the ultimate freedom of the Jubilee was always on the horizon, acting as a built-in "expiration date" for any servitude.
* **"and the price of his sale shall be according unto the number of years,"** This specifies the exact method of calculation. The original "price of his sale" (which was essentially an advance payment for future labor) must be prorated. The redemption price is not the original sum, but a decreasing amount corresponding to the number of years of service remaining until the Jubilee. This ensures that the buyer does not profit excessively from the early redemption and that the servant or their redeemer pays a fair, diminishing value for the unfulfilled portion of the labor contract.
* **"according to the time of an hired servant shall it be with him."** This final phrase reiterates and profoundly reinforces the temporary and dignified nature of the servitude. The Israelite's status is explicitly defined as that of a temporary, wage-earning laborer, not a permanent chattel slave. This legal stipulation safeguards the Israelite's fundamental freedom and identity as belonging to God, emphasizing that their labor, not their person, was temporarily "sold." It underscores the conditional nature of the arrangement, always pointing towards the ultimate liberation of the Jubilee and maintaining the Israelite's inherent dignity.

#### Literary Devices
The passage primarily employs **Legal Language** and adheres to the structure of **Casuistic Law**, characteristic of the Mosaic covenant. It presents a specific scenario ("if an Israelite sells himself to a foreigner") and prescribes a precise legal remedy and calculation. The detailed instructions for "reckoning" and prorating the price based on "the number of years" demonstrate a profound emphasis on **Proportionality** and **Equity**. This mathematical precision in a legal context ensures fairness for both the buyer and the servant, preventing arbitrary pricing or exploitation. Furthermore, the explicit comparison of the indentured Israelite to a "hired servant" serves as a powerful **Simile**, clarifying the temporary and non-permanent nature of the servitude, which is a crucial theological and social distinction within Israelite law, contrasting sharply with the chattel slavery prevalent in surrounding cultures.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 25:50 profoundly illustrates God's heart for justice, mercy, and the liberation of His people. It underscores the theological truth that all Israelites are ultimately God's servants, redeemed by Him from Egyptian bondage, and therefore cannot be permanently enslaved by human masters. This law ensures that economic hardship does not lead to perpetual servitude, reflecting God's desire for the dignity and freedom of His covenant community. The system of redemption, based on a fair calculation, highlights divine principles of equity and compassion, preventing exploitation and affirming the inherent value of every individual as created in God's image and belonging to Him.

* [Leviticus 25:23](/leviticus/25-23 "God's Ownership of the Land")
* [Jeremiah 34:13-17](/jeremiah/34-13-17 "Covenant to Release Slaves")
* [Ephesians 1:7](/ephesians/1-7 "Redemption Through Christ's Blood")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Leviticus 25:50, while rooted in ancient Israelite socio-economic law, offers profound timeless principles for reflection and application today. It reminds us that true freedom is a divine gift, and that systems of justice should always lean towards liberation and equity, especially for the vulnerable. We are called to consider how we, as individuals and communities, uphold or undermine principles of fairness in our economic dealings and social structures. Do we exploit others' vulnerabilities, or do we seek to create pathways to dignity and freedom? The passage challenges us to remember that ultimate ownership belongs to God, and our possessions, talents, and even our very lives are gifts to be stewarded in a way that honors His liberating character. It beckons us to advocate for justice, to practice generosity, and to live as those who have been redeemed by a gracious God, extending that same liberating grace to others. It calls us to examine our own hearts for any form of "servitude" to sin, materialism, or worldly systems, and to embrace the true freedom found in Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the principle of "reckoning" fairly apply to our modern economic systems and personal financial dealings, especially concerning debt and labor?**
* **In what ways might we, or our society, inadvertently perpetuate forms of "servitude" or exploitation, and how can we actively work towards liberation and equity for all?**
* **How does the ultimate freedom of the Jubilee year inform our understanding of God's character and His desire for humanity to live in dignity and true liberty?**

### FAQ
**What was the purpose of calculating the redemption price based on the years remaining until the Jubilee?**

Answer: The purpose was to ensure fairness and prevent exploitation, reflecting God's just character. Since the Jubilee year would automatically set all Israelite indentured servants free and return land to its original families, the value of a servant's labor diminished as the Jubilee approached. Calculating the redemption price "according unto the number of years" meant that the buyer was only compensated for the actual remaining service time, not the original, full value of the "sale." This prevented the buyer from unjustly profiting from an early redemption and reinforced the temporary nature of the servitude, ensuring that the Israelite's ultimate freedom was always accounted for, as detailed in [Leviticus 25:50](/leviticus/25-50 "Leviticus 25:50 - Redemption Calculation").

**How does this law differ from chattel slavery?**

Answer: This law is fundamentally different from chattel slavery, which involves the permanent, inheritable ownership of a person as property, often with no rights. In ancient Israel, the "sale" of an Israelite into servitude, as described in [Leviticus 25:39-55](/leviticus/25-39-55 "Leviticus 25:39-55 - Laws Concerning Servitude"), was a form of temporary indentured servitude, typically entered into voluntarily due to debt or poverty. The individual was selling their labor for a defined period, not their person permanently. Their status was explicitly compared to that of a "hired servant," and they retained significant rights, including the right to redemption by a kinsman or by themselves, and guaranteed freedom at the Jubilee year. This contrasts sharply with the dehumanizing and permanent nature of chattel slavery, where individuals were considered property with no rights or hope of freedom.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 25:50, with its emphasis on redemption and liberation through a calculated price, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Just as the Israelite servant was "bought" by a kinsman redeemer or through their own means, humanity, enslaved by sin and death, was utterly incapable of redeeming itself. The "price" required for our liberation was infinite, a debt we could never pay. Christ, our divine Kinsman-Redeemer, entered into our human condition to pay that ultimate price, not with silver or gold, but with His own precious blood (as illuminated in [1 Peter 1:18-19](/1_peter/1-18-19 "1 Peter 1:18-19 - Redeemed by Christ's Blood")). He "reckoned" with the demands of divine justice, fulfilling every requirement of the law on our behalf. His atoning sacrifice on the cross secured our spiritual Jubilee, proclaiming "liberty to the captives" and "the opening of the prison to them that are bound" (echoing [Isaiah 61:1](/isaiah/61-1 "Isaiah 61:1 - The Spirit of the Lord is Upon Me"), quoted by Jesus in [Luke 4:18-19](/luke/4-18-19 "Luke 4:18-19 - Jesus Proclaims His Mission")). Through Christ, we are not merely released from temporary servitude but are eternally adopted as sons and daughters, no longer slaves to sin but heirs of God's glorious inheritance (as seen in [Galatians 4:4-7](/galatians/4-4-7 "Galatians 4:4-7 - Sons and Heirs Through Christ")). The temporary, earthly Jubilee pointed forward to this eternal, spiritual liberation accomplished by the Lamb of God, who truly takes away the sin of the world (as proclaimed in [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")).

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

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

¶ [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: