Leviticus 25:54

KJV

And if he be not redeemed in these [years], then he shall go out in the year of jubile, [both] he, and his children with him.

KJV (with Strong's)

And if he be not redeemed {H1350} in these years, then he shall go out {H3318} in the year {H8141} of jubile {H3104}, both he, and his children {H1121} with him.

Complete Jewish Bible

"'If he has not been redeemed by any of these procedures, nevertheless he will go free in the year of yovel -he and his children with him.

Berean Standard Bible

Even if he is not redeemed in any of these ways, he and his children shall be released in the Year of Jubilee.

American Standard Version

And if he be not redeemed by these means, then he shall go out in the year of jubilee, he, and his children with him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 25:54 serves as the ultimate safeguard within the Mosaic law of the Jubilee, ensuring that any Israelite who had fallen into servitude due to poverty would inevitably regain their freedom, along with their children, in the fiftieth year. This verse powerfully underscores God's profound commitment to the principles of liberty, social justice, and the restoration of dignity and inheritance within the Israelite community, preventing the permanent disenfranchisement of any family.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at the culmination of the detailed regulations concerning the Year of Jubilee in [Leviticus 25](/leviticus/25 "Leviticus 25 - The Laws of the Sabbatical and Jubilee Years"). The broader chapter outlines the divine statutes for the Sabbatical Year (every seventh year, land rests, debts are remitted, Hebrew servants are released) and the Jubilee (every fiftieth year, a grand reset). The preceding verses, particularly [Leviticus 25:39-55](/leviticus/25-39 "Leviticus 25:39-55 - Laws Concerning Israelite Servitude"), specifically address the conditions under which an Israelite might sell themselves into servitude, either to a fellow Israelite or to a foreign resident. The law explicitly states that such individuals were not to be treated as slaves but as hired servants or sojourners, with their service essentially functioning as a temporary means of survival or debt repayment. Various provisions for earlier redemption by a family member are detailed in [Leviticus 25:48-52](/leviticus/25-48 "Leviticus 25:48-52 - Redemption of an Israelite Servant"). Leviticus 25:54 acts as the final, non-negotiable clause, guaranteeing freedom even if no kinsman redeemer could be found or if the period of service had not expired before the Jubilee. It is the capstone of God's provision for liberty.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern societies, economic hardship often forced individuals or families to sell themselves into servitude to survive. However, the Mosaic Law, particularly the Jubilee, stands in stark contrast to the practices of surrounding nations by placing strict limits on the duration and nature of such servitude. The Israelite society was founded on the principle that the land belonged ultimately to God, and the people were His tenants ([Leviticus 25:23](/leviticus/25-23 "Leviticus 25:23 - The Land Belongs to God")). This divine ownership meant that neither land nor personal freedom could be permanently alienated. The Jubilee system was a radical economic and social policy designed to prevent the permanent concentration of wealth and land, ensuring that every family retained their ancestral inheritance and that extreme poverty would not lead to perpetual bondage. This provided a crucial safety net, fostering a more equitable society and reinforcing the covenant relationship between God and His people, who had themselves been delivered from slavery in [Egypt](/exodus/1 "Exodus 1 - The Enslavement of Israel in Egypt").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **redeemed (Hebrew, _ga'al'_):** This verb carries significant theological weight, meaning "to buy back," "to reclaim," "to set free," or "to act as a kinsman-redeemer." In the context of Leviticus 25, it refers to the act by which a family member could pay a sum to release a relative from servitude before the Jubilee. The *go'el* (redeemer) was a specific role within Israelite society, responsible for protecting the family's integrity, property, and lineage. The fact that the Jubilee provides an automatic "redemption" even without a human *go'el* highlights God's ultimate role as the divine Redeemer, ensuring liberty when human means fail.
* **jubile (Hebrew, _yobel'_):** Derived from the word for "ram's horn" or "trumpet," the *yobel* refers to the specific instrument used to announce the beginning of this fiftieth year. The sound of the *shofar* (ram's horn) was a public, unmistakable declaration, signifying a momentous, divinely ordained reset. This auditory signal underscored the universal and undeniable nature of the freedom and restoration proclaimed. It was a year of "liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof" ([Leviticus 25:10](/leviticus/25-10 "Leviticus 25:10 - Proclamation of Liberty in the Jubilee")).

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And if he be not redeemed in these [years]":** This clause acknowledges the possibility that the provisions for earlier redemption by a kinsman or by the servant themselves (through accumulated earnings) might not materialize. Despite the various opportunities for an earlier release outlined in [Leviticus 25:48-52](/leviticus/25-48 "Leviticus 25:48-52 - Redemption of an Israelite Servant"), circumstances could prevent such a redemption from occurring. This phrase highlights the vulnerability of the impoverished individual and the potential for their situation to persist without divine intervention.
* **"then he shall go out in the year of jubile":** This is the core declaration of the verse, emphasizing the absolute and unconditional nature of the Jubilee release. Regardless of the remaining term of service, the amount of debt, or the failure of human redemption, the arrival of the Jubilee year automatically triggered freedom. The phrase "go out" signifies a physical departure from servitude and a return to one's original state of liberty and independence. This was not a negotiation but a divinely mandated liberation.
* **"[both] he, and his children with him":** This crucial addition underscores the comprehensive nature of the restoration. The freedom extended beyond the individual servant to include their entire family unit, specifically their children. This ensured that the next generation would not inherit the burden of their parents' servitude but would begin their lives in freedom, with the opportunity to return to their ancestral land and re-establish their family's heritage. It reflects God's concern for generational blessing and the prevention of cycles of poverty and disenfranchisement.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 25:54 employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. **Divine Mandate** is evident in the declarative, unconditional language ("he shall go out"), emphasizing God's sovereign authority in establishing and enforcing these laws. This is not a suggestion but a command, highlighting the non-negotiable nature of the Jubilee's provisions. **Symbolism** is central, with the "year of jubile" serving as a powerful symbol of ultimate liberation, restoration, and a societal reset. It represents God's ideal for a just and equitable community, where cycles of poverty and permanent dispossession are broken. The release of the individual and their children also carries the **symbolism** of a new beginning and the preservation of family lineage and inheritance, reflecting God's commitment to the well-being of the entire household.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 25:54 encapsulates several foundational theological principles. It underscores God's character as a God of justice and mercy, who actively intervenes to protect the vulnerable and ensure equity within His covenant community. The Jubilee laws, culminating in this verse, reveal God's ultimate ownership of both the land and His people, meaning that no human could permanently enslave another or permanently alienate land that ultimately belonged to the Creator. This system was designed to prevent the concentration of wealth and power, fostering a society where dignity, freedom, and ancestral inheritance were periodically restored, reflecting God's desire for holistic well-being and the breaking of oppressive cycles. It highlights the theme of **redemption** as a core aspect of God's relationship with humanity, both physically and spiritually.

* [Isaiah 61:1](/isaiah/61-1 "Isaiah 61:1 - The Spirit of the Lord and Proclamation of Liberty")
* [Deuteronomy 15:12-15](/deuteronomy/15-12 "Deuteronomy 15:12-15 - Release of Hebrew Servants Every Seven Years")
* [Nehemiah 5:1-13](/nehemiah/5-1 "Nehemiah 5:1-13 - Nehemiah Addresses Social Injustice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The profound principles embedded in Leviticus 25:54 resonate deeply with believers today, inviting us to reflect on God's enduring heart for freedom, justice, and restoration. Just as the Jubilee provided a guaranteed release from physical and economic bondage, it points to a deeper, spiritual liberation that God desires for all humanity. This verse challenges us to examine our own lives and societies, asking how we might embody God's compassion for the oppressed and work towards alleviating systemic injustices. It calls us to recognize that true freedom is not merely the absence of external constraints but a holistic state of being, rooted in our relationship with God and our commitment to His kingdom values. The ultimate release promised in the Jubilee offers a powerful metaphor for the hope we have in Christ, who secures our eternal freedom and inheritance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's commitment to guaranteed freedom in the Jubilee challenge my understanding of liberty and justice in contemporary society?**
* **In what ways can I, as a follower of Christ, actively participate in bringing about restoration and alleviating oppression in my community, reflecting the spirit of the Jubilee?**
* **How does the ultimate and unconditional release offered in the Jubilee deepen my appreciation for the spiritual redemption and freedom I have received through Christ?**

### FAQ

**What was the primary purpose of the Year of Jubilee?**

Answer: The primary purpose of the Year of Jubilee, observed every fiftieth year, was to serve as a comprehensive societal reset for Israel, ensuring the periodic restoration of land, liberty, and family inheritance. It was designed to prevent the permanent concentration of wealth and land in the hands of a few, to alleviate extreme poverty, and to ensure that no Israelite would remain in perpetual servitude. The Jubilee reinforced the theological principle that the land and the people ultimately belonged to God ([Leviticus 25:23](/leviticus/25-23 "Leviticus 25:23 - The Land Belongs to God")) and that humans were merely stewards. It provided a mechanism for families to regain their dignity, ancestral property, and freedom, fostering a more equitable and compassionate society in line with God's covenant with Israel.

**How did the Jubilee differ from the Sabbatical Year?**

Answer: While both the Sabbatical Year (Shemitah) and the Jubilee were years of rest and release, they had distinct purposes and frequencies. The Sabbatical Year occurred every seventh year ([Leviticus 25:1-7](/leviticus/25-1 "Leviticus 25:1-7 - Laws of the Sabbatical Year")), requiring the land to lie fallow, debts to be remitted ([Deuteronomy 15:1-2](/deuteronomy/15-1 "Deuteronomy 15:1-2 - Release of Debts")), and Hebrew servants to be released ([Deuteronomy 15:12](/deuteronomy/15-12 "Deuteronomy 15:12 - Release of Hebrew Servants")). The Jubilee, on the other hand, occurred every fiftieth year (after seven cycles of seven years, [Leviticus 25:8-10](/leviticus/25-8 "Leviticus 25:8-10 - Proclamation of the Jubilee")). Its provisions were broader and more comprehensive: not only were debts remitted and servants released, but all ancestral lands that had been sold were returned to their original families, and all Israelite bondservants, along with their children, were set free, regardless of when their servitude began ([Leviticus 25:13](/leviticus/25-13 "Leviticus 25:13 - Return to Possessions in the Jubilee")). The Jubilee was a grander, more encompassing reset, symbolizing a complete restoration of social and economic order.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 25:54, with its promise of ultimate, guaranteed release in the Year of Jubilee, powerfully foreshadows the spiritual liberation accomplished through Jesus Christ. Just as the Jubilee provided freedom from physical and economic bondage, Christ offers a far greater and eternal freedom from the bondage of sin and death. The *go'el*, or kinsman-redeemer, concept finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus, who, being fully God and fully man, became our Kinsman and paid the ultimate price to redeem us, not with silver or gold, but with His precious blood ([1 Peter 1:18-19](/1_peter/1-18 "1 Peter 1:18-19 - Redemption through Christ's Blood")). His life, death, and resurrection inaugurated the true "Year of the Lord's favor," as prophesied in [Isaiah 61:1-2](/isaiah/61-1 "Isaiah 61:1-2 - The Spirit of the Lord and Proclamation of Liberty"), which Jesus Himself proclaimed in [Luke 4:18-19](/luke/4-18 "Luke 4:18-19 - Jesus Proclaims His Mission in Nazareth"). Through Him, we are set free from the slavery of sin ([John 8:34-36](/john/8-34 "John 8:34-36 - Freedom from Sin through the Son")), reconciled to God, and granted an eternal inheritance that can never be lost ([Ephesians 1:11](/ephesians/1-11 "Ephesians 1:11 - Our Inheritance in Christ")). The Jubilee's restoration of land and family points to our spiritual restoration and our secure place in God's eternal family, inheriting the kingdom prepared for us ([Matthew 25:34](/matthew/25-34 "Matthew 25:34 - Inheriting the Kingdom")).

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.