Leviticus 25:28

But if he be not able to restore [it] to him, then that which is sold shall remain in the hand of him that hath bought it until the year of jubile: and in the jubile it shall go out, and he shall return unto his possession.

But if he {H3027} be not able {H1767} to restore {H4672}{H7725} it to him, then that which is sold {H4465} shall remain in the hand {H3027} of him that hath bought {H7069} it until the year {H8141} of jubile {H3104}: and in the jubile {H3104} it shall go out {H3318}, and he shall return {H7725} unto his possession {H272}.

If he hasn't sufficient means to get it back himself, then what he sold will remain in the hands of the buyer until the year of yovel; in the yovel the buyer will vacate it and the seller return to his property.

But if he cannot obtain enough to repay him, what he sold will remain in possession of the buyer until the Year of Jubilee. In the Jubilee, however, it is to be released, so that he may return to his property.

But if he be not able to get it back for himself, then that which he hath sold shall remain in the hand of him that hath bought it until the year of jubilee: and in the jubilee it shall go out, and he shall return unto his possession.

Commentary

Context

Leviticus 25 outlines God's intricate laws for the Sabbath year and the Year of Jubilee for the Israelites. These regulations were foundational to their socio-economic structure, designed to prevent permanent economic disparity and ensure that ancestral land inheritances remained within families. Verse 28 specifically addresses a scenario where an Israelite, having sold their land due to poverty, is unable to repurchase it before the Jubilee year arrives. It's part of a larger divine system to prevent perpetual debt and maintain the equitable distribution of land within the tribes.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Stewardship: The core principle underlying the Jubilee laws is that the land ultimately belongs to God, as declared in Leviticus 25:23. Humans were stewards, not absolute owners, and this system reminded them of their dependence on God.
  • Restoration and Redemption: The Jubilee served as a powerful mechanism for economic and social reset. Every 50 years, land returned to its original family, and slaves were set free. This provided a crucial "second chance" for those who had fallen on hard times, preventing permanent poverty and maintaining tribal integrity.
  • Social Justice and Equity: God's law provided a built-in safeguard against the concentration of wealth and land in a few hands. It ensured that no family could be permanently disenfranchised from their ancestral inheritance, promoting a measure of economic balance and compassion within the community.
  • Hope for the Disadvantaged: For those who had lost their land and could not redeem it, the Jubilee offered a guaranteed future hope of restoration and release, even if their immediate circumstances were challenging.

Linguistic Insights

The term "Jubile" (KJV) or "Jubilee" comes from the Hebrew word yobel (יוֹבֵל), which literally refers to the ram's horn trumpet. This horn was solemnly blown to announce the commencement of the Jubilee year, signifying a profound declaration of liberty, release, and return to one's possession.

Practical Application

While the specific laws of the Jubilee are not directly applicable to all believers today, the principles behind them remain profoundly relevant:

  • God's Heart for Justice and Compassion: This law reveals God's deep concern for the poor, the oppressed, and the marginalized. It calls believers to seek justice and equity in society, reflecting God's character.
  • The Principle of Release and Redemption: The Jubilee prefigures the ultimate spiritual release and redemption offered through Jesus Christ. Just as the land was returned to its rightful owner, believers are set free from the bondage of sin and spiritual debt through His sacrifice. Christ's ministry was announced as bringing liberty to the captives, echoing the Jubilee's themes (Luke 4:18, referencing Isaiah 61:1).
  • Stewardship of Resources: The Jubilee reminds us that all we possess—our wealth, talents, and time—ultimately belongs to God. We are called to be good stewards, using His resources for His glory and the good of others, rather than clinging to them selfishly.
  • Hope in God's Promises: Even when life's circumstances seem to trap us in difficult situations, there is always a divine promise of future restoration and a "reset" that comes from God's faithfulness.
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Cross-References

  • 1 Peter 1:4 (2 votes)

    To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

  • 1 Peter 1:5 (2 votes)

    Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

  • 1 Thessalonians 4:13 (2 votes)

    ¶ But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

  • 1 Thessalonians 4:18 (2 votes)

    Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

  • Isaiah 35:9 (2 votes)

    No lion shall be there, nor [any] ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk [there]:

  • Isaiah 35:10 (2 votes)

    And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:52 (2 votes)

    In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.