Leviticus 25:9

KJV

Then shalt thou cause the trumpet of the jubile to sound on the tenth [day] of the seventh month, in the day of atonement shall ye make the trumpet sound throughout all your land.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then shalt thou cause the trumpet {H7782} of the jubile {H8643} to sound {H5674} on the tenth {H6218} day of the seventh {H7637} month {H2320}, in the day {H3117} of atonement {H3725} shall ye make the trumpet {H7782} sound {H5674} throughout all your land {H776}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then, on the tenth day of the seventh month, on Yom-Kippur, you are to sound a blast on the shofar; you are to sound the shofar all through your land;

Berean Standard Bible

Then you are to sound the horn far and wide on the tenth day of the seventh month, the Day of Atonement. You shall sound it throughout your land.

American Standard Version

Then shalt thou send abroad the loud trumpet on the tenth day of the seventh month; in the day of atonement shall ye send abroad the trumpet throughout all your land.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 25:9 issues a precise divine command for the solemn inauguration of the Year of Jubilee, a pivotal institution of radical social and economic restoration within ancient Israel. This verse meticulously dictates that the trumpet of Jubilee must be sounded on the tenth day of the seventh month, a date intentionally coinciding with the Day of Atonement, thereby profoundly linking national spiritual repentance and divine forgiveness with the comprehensive release and renewal that the Jubilee year represented for the covenant community.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 25 is dedicated to outlining the laws of the Sabbath year and the Year of Jubilee, establishing a divinely ordained rhythm of rest, restoration, and equity for both the land and its people. Verse 9 is strategically placed within the broader instructions for the Jubilee, which are initiated in [Leviticus 25:8](/leviticus/25-8 "Leviticus 25:8 - The Timing of Jubilee") by setting its timing as the 50th year, following seven complete cycles of seven Sabbath years. The preceding verses ([Leviticus 25:1-7](/leviticus/25-1 "Leviticus 25:1-7 - Laws of the Sabbath Year")) lay the foundational principle of the land resting every seventh year, a concept upon which the more expansive Jubilee builds. Following the specific command in verse 9, the subsequent verses ([Leviticus 25:10-17](/leviticus/25-10 "Leviticus 25:10-17 - Proclamations of Jubilee")) elaborate on the practical implications and transformative effects of the Jubilee: the mandatory return of ancestral land to its original families, the release of indentured servants, and the prohibition of permanent land sales, all of which reinforce God's ultimate sovereignty and ownership over the land and His people.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Year of Jubilee (Hebrew: _yovel_) was a unique socio-economic and spiritual institution designed by God to prevent the permanent accumulation of wealth by a privileged few and the perpetual impoverishment of others within the Israelite covenant community. Occurring every 50th year, it served as a radical expression of God's justice, mercy, and faithfulness to His covenant, ensuring that the tribal land inheritances, which were meticulously established during the conquest and allotment of Canaan (see [Joshua 13-21](/joshua/13 "Joshua 13-21 - Allotment of the Land")), remained intact across generations. The command to sound the trumpet on the "tenth day of the seventh month" carries immense significance because this date was the [Day of Atonement](/leviticus/16 "Leviticus 16 - The Day of Atonement"), or Yom Kippur, the most solemn and sacred day in the Israelite calendar. On this day, the high priest performed intricate rituals for the national atonement of sins (as detailed in [Leviticus 16](/leviticus/16 "Leviticus 16 - The Day of Atonement")), signifying divine forgiveness and comprehensive cleansing. By linking the joyous proclamation of Jubilee with the somber day of national repentance, God underscored the profound theological truth that true freedom, restoration, and social equity could only genuinely flow from a right relationship with Him, founded upon the atoning sacrifice for sin. The trumpet, typically a _shofar_ (ram's horn), served as a public, audible, and unmistakable declaration, ensuring the message of release reached "throughout all your land."

* **Key Themes:** Leviticus 25:9 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Leviticus and the Pentateuch. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **God's Sovereignty and Ownership**, particularly over the land of Israel, asserting that the land ultimately belongs to Him ([Leviticus 25:23](/leviticus/25-23 "Leviticus 25:23 - God's Ownership of the Land")) and is not to be permanently alienated. Secondly, it embodies the theme of **Justice and Equity**, demonstrating God's concern for the poor and marginalized by providing a mechanism to prevent perpetual poverty and maintain family inheritances. Thirdly, the verse intricately weaves in the theme of **Atonement and Forgiveness**, by linking the social liberation of Jubilee to the spiritual cleansing of the Day of Atonement, emphasizing that true freedom is rooted in reconciliation with God. Finally, it reinforces the theme of **Rest and Renewal**, extending the principle of Sabbath rest from weekly and yearly cycles to a grand, fifty-year reset, ensuring the land and its people could experience periodic rejuvenation and a fresh start.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Trumpet (Hebrew, _shôwphâr'_):** The Hebrew word `shôwphâr` (H7782) refers to a cornet or curved horn, typically a ram's horn, known for giving a clear and penetrating sound. In ancient Israel, the _shofar_ was used for various purposes, including calling assemblies, signaling war, and marking sacred occasions. Here, its sound is explicitly designated as the herald of the Jubilee, symbolizing a divine pronouncement of liberation and a significant transition for the entire nation. Its powerful and unmistakable blast ensured the message of release was heard universally.
* **Jubile (Hebrew, _tᵉrûwʻâh'_):** While the KJV translates this as "jubile," the underlying Hebrew word `tᵉrûwʻâh` (H8643) specifically means "clamor, i.e. acclamation of joy or a battle-cry; especially clangor of trumpets, as an alarum." In this context, it refers to the loud, joyful, and authoritative sound of the trumpet that announces the special 50th year of release. The concept of Jubilee (from the Hebrew `yovel`, referring to the ram's horn and the year it inaugurates) encompassed debt cancellation, the return of ancestral lands to their original families, and the freeing of indentured servants. The `tᵉrûwʻâh` is the audible manifestation of this radical re-setting of the social and economic order, designed to prevent the permanent disenfranchisement of families and to remind Israel that the land ultimately belonged to God.
* **Atonement (Hebrew, _kippur'_):** The Hebrew word `kippur` (H3725), meaning "expiation" or "atonement," refers to the solemn Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). This was the most sacred day of the year for Israel, a day of national fasting, repentance, and ritual cleansing from sin, when the high priest entered the Most Holy Place to make atonement for the sins of the people and the sanctuary ([Leviticus 16:29-34](/leviticus/16-29 "Leviticus 16:29-34 - Annual Atonement Rituals")). The deliberate timing of the Jubilee proclamation on this day underscores a profound theological truth: true societal and personal freedom, restoration, and justice are inextricably linked to spiritual reconciliation with God and the forgiveness of sins. Without atonement, genuine and lasting liberation is impossible.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then shalt thou cause the trumpet of the jubile to sound":** This is a direct, authoritative command, likely addressed to the Levitical priests, to initiate the Jubilee year. The active verb "cause to sound" emphasizes the deliberate and mandatory nature of this proclamation. The specific instrument, the "trumpet of the jubile" (the _shofar_ or _yovel_), signals its unique purpose as a herald of profound societal and economic transformation, a divine decree of grace and restoration.
* **"on the tenth [day] of the seventh month,":** This precise calendrical instruction fixes the exact commencement of the Jubilee. The seventh month (Tishrei) was highly significant in the Israelite calendar, containing several major festivals, including Rosh Hashanah (New Year) and Sukkot (Tabernacles). The tenth day, specifically, was chosen for its profound spiritual significance as the Day of Atonement, highlighting the intentional connection between spiritual and social liberation.
* **"in the day of atonement shall ye make the trumpet sound":** This clause reiterates and emphatically underscores the critical link between the joyful release of the Jubilee and the solemn Day of Atonement. The repetition of the command to "make the trumpet sound" on this particular day highlights the divine intention that the physical and social liberation inherent in the Jubilee is not arbitrary but is deeply rooted in, and flows from, the spiritual liberation and cleansing achieved through national atonement for sin.
* **"throughout all your land.":** This concluding phrase stresses the universal and comprehensive scope of the Jubilee's impact. The trumpet blast was not to be confined to Jerusalem or major cities but was to resonate across every tribal territory, every village, and every family dwelling in Israel. This ensured that the message of release, restoration, and re-ordering according to God's just principles was heard, understood, and observed by all Israelites, without exception or geographical limitation.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 25:9 is rich in powerful literary devices that amplify its theological message. **Symbolism** is paramount, with the "trumpet of the jubile" (the _shofar_) symbolizing not merely an audible sound but a divine decree of liberation, a fresh start, and a re-establishment of equilibrium within the covenant community. Its blast is a tangible manifestation of God's command for release and restoration. The "Day of Atonement" itself is a profound symbol of spiritual cleansing, reconciliation, and national repentance, making its deliberate pairing with the Jubilee's proclamation a powerful act of **juxtaposition**. This pairing suggests that the solemnity of national spiritual reconciliation is directly and inextricably linked to the joy of socio-economic freedom, implying that true and lasting liberation is predicated on spiritual alignment with God. The **repetition** of the command to "make the trumpet sound" (implied across the clause structure) serves to emphasize the absolute necessity, divine mandate, and widespread nature of this action. Furthermore, the phrase "throughout all your land" utilizes **hyperbole** to convey the universal and inescapable reach of the Jubilee's laws, ensuring that no corner of Israel would be untouched by its transformative and restorative power.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 25:9 powerfully intertwines the profound theological themes of divine justice, boundless mercy, and absolute sovereignty. By mandating the Jubilee's proclamation on the Day of Atonement, God reveals that true societal and personal restoration is not merely an economic or social policy but a spiritual reality rooted in reconciliation with Him. The Jubilee was a practical outworking of God's compassionate character, designed to prevent perpetual poverty, maintain the integrity of tribal inheritances, and ensure the dignity of every Israelite family, thereby reflecting His desire for equity and human flourishing within the covenant community. It served as a constant, tangible reminder that all land and all life ultimately belong to God, and that Israel were merely stewards of His creation, thus preventing the idolatry of possessions and fostering a deep dependence on divine provision and grace.

* [Isaiah 61:1-2](/isaiah/61-1 "Isaiah 61:1-2 - The Year of the Lord's Favor")
* [Luke 4:18-19](/luke/4-18 "Luke 4:18-19 - Jesus Proclaims His Mission")
* [Jeremiah 34:8-17](/jeremiah/34-8 "Jeremiah 34:8-17 - Broken Covenant of Release")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The command in Leviticus 25:9, though deeply rooted in ancient Israelite covenant law, offers timeless and profound principles for believers today. It challenges us to consider the inextricable connection between spiritual reconciliation with God and the active pursuit of societal justice and restoration. Just as the trumpet blast on the Day of Atonement heralded a year of radical release and a fresh start, our spiritual freedom in Christ is inextricably linked to His atoning work on the cross. We are called to live as recipients of this ultimate Jubilee, having been freed from the bondage of sin, spiritual debt, and the curse of the law. Consequently, we are also commissioned to extend its principles of mercy, compassion, and restoration to others in our world. This means actively seeking justice for the oppressed, advocating for the poor, offering "fresh starts" to those burdened by life's circumstances, and dismantling systems that perpetuate injustice. The Jubilee reminds us that true liberation is holistic, encompassing both spiritual and tangible dimensions, and that our God is one who desires _shalom_—wholeness, peace, and flourishing—for all His creation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the timing of the Jubilee proclamation on the Day of Atonement deepen your understanding of the source and nature of true freedom?**
* **In what practical ways can you, as a follower of Christ, embody the spirit of the Jubilee by promoting justice, mercy, and restoration within your community or sphere of influence?**
* **What "debts" or "bondages" in your own life—whether spiritual, emotional, or relational—do you need to surrender to God's liberating power, recognizing that true and lasting release comes through His atoning work?**

### FAQ

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

Answer: The primary purpose of the Year of Jubilee was to restore social and economic equity within ancient Israel, ensuring that no family would be permanently impoverished or lose their ancestral land inheritance. It mandated the return of land to its original owners and the release of indentured servants every 50 years, thereby preventing extreme wealth disparity and reminding the Israelites that the land ultimately belonged to God, and they were merely stewards of His provision ([Leviticus 25:23](/leviticus/25-23 "Leviticus 25:23 - God's Ownership of the Land")).

**Why was the trumpet of Jubilee sounded specifically on the Day of Atonement?**

Answer: The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) was the most solemn day of the year, dedicated to national repentance and ritual cleansing from sin, representing God's forgiveness and purification for the nation ([Leviticus 16](/leviticus/16 "Leviticus 16 - The Day of Atonement")). Sounding the trumpet of Jubilee on this day profoundly linked the physical and economic liberation of the Jubilee with spiritual reconciliation and forgiveness. It taught Israel that true freedom and comprehensive restoration could only flow from a right relationship with God, founded on the atonement for sin. This timing underscored that God's justice and mercy are inseparable from His holiness and the essential human need for repentance and divine cleansing.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 25:9 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The trumpet blast of Jubilee, signaling release from debt, restoration of inheritance, and a fresh start, powerfully prefigures the spiritual Jubilee inaugurated by Christ. Just as the _shofar_ announced freedom for Israel, Jesus, in His inaugural sermon in [Luke 4:18-19](/luke/4-18 "Luke 4:18-19 - Jesus Proclaims His Mission"), quotes [Isaiah 61:1-2](/isaiah/61-1 "Isaiah 61:1-2 - The Year of the Lord's Favor"), declaring His mission to "proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor." This "year of the Lord's favor" is the eschatological Jubilee, a spiritual release from the bondage of sin, spiritual debt, and the ultimate captivity of death. Furthermore, the deliberate timing of the earthly Jubilee trumpet on the Day of Atonement is deeply significant: Christ is our ultimate Atonement, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), whose perfect sacrifice on the cross secured our forgiveness and made true, eternal freedom possible. Through Him, we are not only released from the crushing debt of sin but are also restored to our true inheritance as children of God, receiving an [eternal inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading](/1_peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - Our Heavenly Inheritance"), a fulfillment far grander and more enduring than any earthly land restoration.

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

Leviticus 23:24

Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first [day] of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation.

Leviticus 23:27

Also on the tenth [day] of this seventh month [there shall be] a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD.

Leviticus 27:24

In the year of the jubile the field shall return unto him of whom it was bought, [even] to him to whom the possession of the land [did belong].

Numbers 10:10

Also in the day of your gladness, and in your solemn days, and in the beginnings of your months, ye shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; that they may be to you for a memorial before your God: I [am] the LORD your God.

Leviticus 16:30

For on that day shall [the priest] make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, [that] ye may be clean from all your sins before the LORD.

1 Thessalonians 1:8

For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.

Leviticus 27:17

If he sanctify his field from the year of jubile, according to thy estimation it shall stand.