Leviticus 25:52

KJV

And if there remain but few years unto the year of jubile, then he shall count with him, [and] according unto his years shall he give him again the price of his redemption.

KJV (with Strong's)

And if there remain {H7604} but few {H4592} years {H8141} unto the year {H8141} of jubile {H3104}, then he shall count {H2803} with him, and according {H6310} unto his years {H8141} shall he give him again {H7725} the price of his redemption {H1353}.

Complete Jewish Bible

If there remain only a few years until the year of yovel, then he will calculate with him; according to his years will he refund the amount for his redemption.

Berean Standard Bible

If only a few years remain until the Year of Jubilee, he is to calculate and pay his redemption according to his remaining years.

American Standard Version

And if there remain but few years unto the year of jubilee, then he shall reckon with him; according unto his years shall he give back the price of his redemption.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 25:52 meticulously outlines the divine regulation for calculating the redemption price of an Israelite sold into temporary servitude, or their alienated land, when the highly anticipated Year of Jubilee is drawing near. This specific instruction ensures a just and equitable transaction for all parties involved, stipulating that the redemption cost must be precisely prorated based on the remaining years until the great year of release, thereby preventing exploitation and upholding God's foundational standards of justice and compassion within the covenant community.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 25 is entirely dedicated to the intricate laws governing the Sabbatical Year (every seventh year) and the climactic Year of Jubilee (every fiftieth year). These statutes, presented as direct divine pronouncements from God to Moses on Mount Sinai, establish a unique socio-economic framework for ancient Israel. The chapter begins by detailing the Sabbatical Year's mandate for the land to lie fallow ([Leviticus 25:1-7](/leviticus/25-1-7 "Leviticus 25:1-7 - Laws of the Sabbatical Year")). It then transitions to the more comprehensive Jubilee, a period of profound release that included the return of ancestral lands to their original families and the emancipation of Israelites who had sold themselves into servitude due to poverty ([Leviticus 25:8-55](/leviticus/25-8-55 "Leviticus 25:8-55 - Laws of the Year of Jubilee")). Specifically, verses 25:39-55 address the redemption of fellow Israelites who had entered servitude, often to a wealthy Israelite or a resident alien. Verse 52 is precisely situated within this section, providing the exact methodology for calculating the redemption price when the Jubilee is imminent, ensuring that the cost accurately reflects the diminishing term of service or land use, rather than an arbitrary or fixed sum.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Near Eastern societies commonly practiced systems of debt-slavery, where individuals could sell themselves or family members into servitude to settle debts. However, Israel's Jubilee laws stand out as remarkably unique among ancient legal codes, providing a divinely ordained mechanism to prevent perpetual economic bondage and the permanent loss of family inheritance. This radical system was deeply rooted in the theological understanding that the land of Israel belonged exclusively to God ([Leviticus 25:23](/leviticus/25-23 "Leviticus 25:23 - God's Ownership of the Land")), and the people themselves were His servants, having been redeemed by Him from slavery in Egypt ([Leviticus 25:42](/leviticus/25-42 "Leviticus 25:42 - Israelites as God's Servants")). The Jubilee, dramatically proclaimed by the trumpet on the Day of Atonement ([Leviticus 25:9](/leviticus/25-9 "Leviticus 25:9 - Proclamation of Jubilee")), represented a profound social and economic reset. It was meticulously designed to prevent the unchecked accumulation of wealth and power in the hands of a few, and to preserve the tribal land allotments established during the conquest of Canaan. Leviticus 25:52 specifically addresses the fairness of redemption for those who had fallen into servitude, ensuring that their freedom was both accessible and justly priced as the ultimate year of release approached.

* **Key Themes:** Leviticus 25:52 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Leviticus and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost among these is **Divine Justice and Equity**, as God meticulously legislates fair economic practices to protect the vulnerable and prevent exploitation. The proration of the redemption price underscores God's commitment to proportional justice, where value is tied to actual remaining benefit. Another crucial theme is **God's Sovereignty and Ownership**, particularly over the land and His people. The Jubilee laws, including this verse, reinforce the idea that Israel's land is God's, merely leased to its inhabitants, and that Israelites are His servants, not to be permanently enslaved by others ([Leviticus 25:23-24](/leviticus/25-23-24 "Leviticus 25:23-24 - Land Ownership and Redemption")). This leads to the theme of **Redemption and Restoration**, as the Jubilee system provides a regular, divinely mandated mechanism for individuals and families to be restored to their original status and inheritance. Finally, the verse speaks to **Human Dignity and Compassion**, reflecting God's desire for a society where economic hardship does not lead to the permanent degradation or enslavement of His people, but rather offers pathways to renewed freedom and opportunity, echoing the spirit found in other laws concerning the poor and needy throughout the Mosaic Law, such as those in [Deuteronomy 15](/deuteronomy/15 "Deuteronomy 15 - Laws of Release and Lending").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Count (Hebrew, _châshab'_):** This verb (H2803) signifies "to reckon," "to calculate," "to compute," or "to devise." In the context of Leviticus 25:52, it emphasizes the precise, mathematical nature of the transaction. The redemption price is not an arbitrary or negotiated sum, but a calculated one, based on the exact number of years remaining until the Jubilee. This highlights God's demand for meticulous justice and fairness in economic dealings, ensuring transparency and preventing exploitation by either party through a clear, arithmetical process.
* **Jubile (Hebrew, _yôwbêl'_):** This term (H3104) refers to the "blast of a horn" or "trumpet," and by extension, the festival thus introduced. The Jubilee year was inaugurated by the sounding of the ram's horn (shofar) on the Day of Atonement. Its inclusion here signifies the ultimate, divinely ordained deadline for all land and personal servitude contracts among Israelites. The approaching Jubilee is the critical factor that diminishes the value of the remaining servitude, necessitating the prorated calculation for redemption. It underscores the profound theological significance of this year as a time of universal release and restoration.
* **Redemption (Hebrew, _gᵉʼullâh'_):** While the KJV translates "price of his redemption" from `מכס גאלתו` (mekes gᵉʼullāṯō), the core concept is `gᵉʼullâ` (H1353), meaning "redemption," "reclaiming," or "kinship-redemption." Derived from the root `gāʼal`, it refers to the act of buying back or reclaiming property or a person, often by a close relative known as a "kinsman-redeemer." Here, it signifies the act of restoring a person to their original status of freedom, or land to its original family, by paying a calculated price. The proration ensures that this act of restoration is not unduly burdensome or exploitative, but a just exchange for the remaining period of service or use, aligning with God's character as the ultimate Redeemer.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And if there remain but few years unto the year of jubile":** This initial clause establishes the specific condition under which the subsequent calculation applies. It describes a scenario where the divinely appointed Year of Jubilee is not far off, indicating that the period of servitude or land alienation is nearing its natural, God-ordained conclusion. The phrase "few years" highlights the diminishing economic value of the remaining service or land use, which must be accurately reflected in the redemption price.
* **"then he shall count with him":** This phrase mandates a collaborative calculation process between the master/buyer and the person being redeemed or their designated redeemer. The verb "count" (Hebrew: _châshab'_) implies a precise, arithmetical procedure, emphasizing transparency and mutual agreement on the valuation. This stipulation prevents either party from unilaterally setting an unfair or arbitrary price, thereby upholding the principle of accountability and fairness in all economic transactions within the covenant community.
* **"and according unto his years shall he give him again the price of his redemption.":** This final clause specifies the precise method of calculation: the redemption price is directly proportional to the number of years remaining until the Jubilee. The value of the servitude or land use is depreciated year by year, meaning that the longer the servitude has continued, and the closer the Jubilee, the lower the redemption price. This ensures that the price paid for freedom or land is just, reflecting only the actual remaining economic benefit to the master/buyer, rather than an inflated or fixed cost, thereby facilitating redemption and upholding God's standard of equity.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 25:52 primarily employs **Legal Precision**, a hallmark of biblical law, evident in its meticulous detail and clear stipulations regarding the calculation of the redemption price. This precision is underscored by the repeated emphasis on "counting" (`châshab'`) and basing the price "according unto his years," leaving no room for ambiguity, arbitrary valuation, or potential exploitation. This device highlights the divine commitment to **Justice** and **Equity** within the covenant community, ensuring that economic transactions, even those involving servitude, are governed by fairness rather than self-interest. Furthermore, the entire framework of the Jubilee laws, of which this verse is an integral part, functions as profound **Symbolism**. It points beyond mere economic regulation to a grander divine plan of ultimate restoration and release from all forms of bondage—economic, social, and spiritual. The practical, detailed nature of this verse grounds the lofty ideals of the Jubilee in tangible, equitable practices, demonstrating how divine principles are to be lived out in daily life.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 25:52 profoundly illustrates God's unwavering commitment to justice, equity, and the principle of restoration within His covenant people. By mandating a prorated redemption price, God ensures that economic hardship does not lead to permanent enslavement or irreversible loss of ancestral inheritance. This regulation reflects His character as a God who provides pathways for second chances, limits the accumulation of unchecked power and wealth, and consistently reasserts His ultimate ownership over all land and persons. The meticulous nature of this law highlights that all human transactions operate under divine oversight, and that ultimately, all resources and lives belong to Him. The Jubilee system, epitomized by this precise instruction, serves as a powerful testament to God's desire for a society marked by compassion, fairness, and the periodic rebalancing of social and economic structures, preventing the perpetuation of poverty and upholding the inherent dignity of every individual created in His image.

* [Exodus 21:2-6](/exodus/21-2-6 "Exodus 21:2-6 - Laws Concerning Hebrew Servants") - Details initial laws for Hebrew servants, including their release in the seventh year, providing a foundational contrast to the Jubilee's broader, more comprehensive release.
* [Deuteronomy 15:1-2](/deuteronomy/15-1-2 "Deuteronomy 15:1-2 - The Year of Release for Debts") - Commands the release of debts every seven years, another crucial facet of God's overarching economic justice and compassion for the poor.
* [Nehemiah 5:1-13](/nehemiah/5-1-13 "Nehemiah 5:1-13 - Nehemiah Addresses Social Injustice and Debt-Slavery") - Presents a later historical example of a leader addressing and rectifying severe economic injustices where people had been enslaved due to debt, powerfully echoing the spirit and principles of the Jubilee laws.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Leviticus 25:52, while a specific ancient legal code, offers profound and timeless principles for reflection and application in our contemporary lives. It challenges us to deeply consider the ethical dimensions of our economic interactions, urging us towards fairness, transparency, and profound compassion in all our dealings. In a world often driven by unchecked profit motives and the pursuit of power, this verse calls us to embody God's heart for justice, ensuring that our financial and social practices do not exploit the vulnerable, perpetuate cycles of poverty, or create insurmountable barriers to human flourishing. It serves as a powerful reminder that true prosperity is not merely about personal accumulation, but fundamentally about equitable distribution and the opportunity for all to experience dignity, freedom, and a fresh start. We are called to be active agents of restoration in our communities, seeking to alleviate burdens, advocate for fair systems, and provide pathways to new beginnings for those experiencing distress, always recognizing that all we possess ultimately belongs to God, and we are merely stewards of His abundant resources.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the principle of prorated redemption in Leviticus 25:52 challenge modern economic practices that might lead to perpetual debt, systemic disadvantage, or the concentration of wealth?**
* **In what tangible ways can we, as individuals or communities, embody the spirit of "counting with him" to ensure fairness, transparency, and mutual accountability in our financial dealings and relationships today?**
* **Considering the emphasis on restoration, release, and second chances, how might we contribute to systems, initiatives, or ministries that offer genuine "new beginnings" and alleviate burdens for those experiencing hardship in our contemporary society?**

### FAQ

**Why was the redemption price prorated, rather than a fixed amount?**

Answer: The redemption price was meticulously prorated to ensure absolute fairness and justice for both the person being redeemed (or their family) and the master/buyer. The fundamental theological principle of the Jubilee was that all land and Israelite persons ultimately belonged to God and would revert to their original families or status in the Jubilee year. Therefore, any "sale" of land or person was essentially a lease or temporary arrangement until the Jubilee. If a person or their land was redeemed before the Jubilee, the value of the remaining "lease" was calculated. A fixed price would have been inherently unjust, as the economic value of the remaining service or land use diminished significantly as the Jubilee approached. Proration ensured that the master/buyer was compensated only for the actual remaining time of service or use, reflecting the true economic value, and crucially, making redemption more accessible as the divinely appointed year of release drew near. This system prevented exploitation and upheld the divine principle of equitable exchange, a cornerstone of the Jubilee laws found throughout [Leviticus 25](/leviticus/25 "Leviticus 25 - The Sabbatical and Jubilee Years").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 25:52, with its meticulous calculation for redemption as the Jubilee approached, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate, non-prorated redemption accomplished by Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament, redemption required a price, calculated according to human limitations and the remaining "years" of servitude or land use. However, Christ's work on the cross represents a complete, final, and eternal redemption, paying a price beyond measure—His own precious and spotless blood ([1 Peter 1:18-19](/1_peter/1-18-19 "1 Peter 1:18-19 - Redeemed by Christ's Precious Blood")). Unlike the temporary release of the earthly Jubilee, which merely postponed future servitude or land alienation, Christ's sacrifice brings eternal freedom from the bondage of sin and death for all who believe ([Romans 6:22](/romans/6-22 "Romans 6:22 - Freedom from Sin")). We were "sold under sin" and enslaved to its power ([Romans 7:14](/romans/7-14 "Romans 7:14 - Enslaved to Sin")), but Christ, our perfect Kinsman-Redeemer, paid the full and unprorated price, securing our liberty not for a mere fifty years, but for eternity ([Hebrews 9:12](/hebrews/9-12 "Hebrews 9:12 - Eternal Redemption through Christ")). The earthly Jubilee in Leviticus 25:52 pointed to a future, perfect release; that release is fully realized in the liberating work of the Lamb of God, who proclaims true liberty to the captives and the opening of the prison to those who are bound, ushering in the acceptable year of the Lord ([Luke 4:18-19](/luke/4-18-19 "Luke 4:18-19 - Jesus Proclaims Liberty and the Year of the Lord's Favor")).

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.