Leviticus 25:54

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.

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.

"'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.

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

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

Leviticus 25:54 is a pivotal verse within the Old Testament laws concerning the Year of Jubilee, specifically addressing the ultimate release for an Israelite who had sold themselves into servitude due to poverty. This verse underscores God's deep commitment to liberty and social justice within the Israelite community, ensuring that no one would remain permanently enslaved or dispossessed of their ancestral land.

Context

This verse is found within a larger section of Leviticus (chapter 25) that outlines the laws for the Sabbatical Year and the Year of Jubilee. These divine statutes were designed to regulate land ownership, debt, and personal freedom, preventing the permanent concentration of wealth and land in the hands of a few. An Israelite who fell into poverty might sell themselves to another Israelite as a temporary bondservant. The law stipulated that they were not to be treated as slaves but as hired servants, and their service was essentially a loan repayment or a means of survival until the Year of Jubilee. This verse provides the ultimate safeguard: even if no family member could redeem them earlier, the Jubilee would automatically grant them freedom.

Key Themes

  • Redemption and Liberation: The central theme is the concept of freedom from bondage. God establishes a system where liberty is guaranteed, reflecting His character as a deliverer. The Year of Jubilee acted as a national reset button, symbolizing God's ultimate plan for proclaiming liberty to captives.
  • Divine Ownership: The underlying principle of the Jubilee is that the land and the people ultimately belong to God (Leviticus 25:23). Therefore, humans could not permanently enslave one another or permanently alienate land, as they were merely stewards under God's sovereign rule.
  • Social Justice and Equity: These laws ensured that extreme poverty and perpetual servitude would not become a permanent state within Israel. It provided a mechanism for families to regain their dignity, land, and freedom, fostering a more equitable society.
  • Restoration: The Jubilee meant not only personal freedom but also the return to one's family and ancestral land, symbolizing a complete restoration of one's social and economic standing.

Linguistic Insights

The term "jubile" comes from the Hebrew word yobel (Χ™Χ•ΦΉΧ‘Φ΅Χœ), which refers to the ram's horn trumpet used to announce the beginning of this special year. This auditory signal emphasized the public and undeniable proclamation of liberty. The word "redeemed" comes from the Hebrew ga'al (Χ’ΦΈΦΌΧΦ·Χœ), which means "to buy back," "to reclaim," or "to set free." This concept of redemption is fundamental throughout the Bible, culminating in the spiritual redemption offered through Christ.

Practical Application

Leviticus 25:54 offers profound insights for believers today:

  • God's Heart for Freedom: It reveals God's deep concern for the oppressed and His desire for all people to experience freedom, both physical and spiritual. This foreshadows the ultimate spiritual liberation found in Christ, who sets us free from the bondage of sin (John 8:36).
  • The Promise of Ultimate Release: Just as the Jubilee provided a guaranteed release, believers have a guaranteed ultimate release from the struggles and bondages of this world through Christ's finished work. Our redemption in Christ is eternal and secure.
  • A Call to Compassion: The principles of the Jubilee challenge us to pursue justice, show compassion, and work towards alleviating poverty and oppression in our own communities, reflecting God's heart for the marginalized.
  • Hope in Restoration: The promise of returning to one's family and inheritance in the Jubilee points to the hope of full restoration and inheritance believers have in God's kingdom, a future where all wrongs are made right and true freedom abounds.
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

  • Exodus 21:2

    If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing.

  • Exodus 21:3

    If he came in by himself, he shall go out by himself: if he were married, then his wife shall go out with him.

  • Isaiah 49:9

    That thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that [are] in darkness, Shew yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures [shall be] in all high places.

  • Isaiah 49:25

    But thus saith the LORD, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.

  • 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:

  • Leviticus 25:41

    And [then] shall he depart from thee, [both] he and his children with him, and shall return unto his own family, and unto the possession of his fathers shall he return.

  • Isaiah 52:3

    For thus saith the LORD, Ye have sold yourselves for nought; and ye shall be redeemed without money.
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