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.

And then shall he depart {H3318} from thee, both he and his children {H1121} with him, and shall return {H7725} unto his own family {H4940}, and unto the possession {H272} of his fathers {H1} shall he return {H7725}.

Then he will leave you, he and his children with him, and return to his own family and regain possession of his ancestral land.

Then he and his children are to be released, and he may return to his clan and to the property of his fathers.

then shall he go out from thee, he and his children with him, and shall return unto his own family, and unto the possession of his fathers shall he return.

Commentary

Leviticus 25:41 is part of God's detailed instructions to Israel regarding the Year of Jubilee, a divinely ordained seventy-seventh year of rest and restoration. This specific verse highlights the ultimate freedom and return granted to an Israelite who had fallen into servitude due to poverty, ensuring they would not remain permanently enslaved.

Context

This verse is deeply embedded within the laws concerning the Year of Jubilee, found in Leviticus chapter 25. God commanded that every fiftieth year, after seven cycles of seven Sabbatical years, a special year of liberty would be proclaimed throughout the land (Leviticus 25:10). During this year, all land was to revert to its original tribal and family owners, and all Israelite indentured servants were to be set free. The preceding verses (Leviticus 25:39-40) explain that if an Israelite became poor and sold himself, he was not to be treated as a slave but as a hired servant, because they were God's servants, whom He brought out of the land of Egypt. Verse 41 provides the culmination of this temporary servitude, emphasizing the return to their rightful heritage.

Key Themes

  • Restoration and Redemption: The core message is one of full restoration. The individual, along with their children, is not just released from servitude but returns to their ancestral home and the land inherited from their fathers. This symbolizes a complete reset, preventing the permanent disenfranchisement of families. It echoes God's redemptive plan for His people.
  • God's Ownership of the Land: Underlying the Jubilee laws is the principle that the land ultimately belongs to God, and the Israelites were merely tenants (Leviticus 25:23). This divine ownership prevented permanent sales and ensured that every Israelite family retained a connection to their heritage, preventing the concentration of wealth and land in a few hands.
  • Social Justice and Equity: The Jubilee laws, including this verse, demonstrate God's profound concern for social equity and the prevention of extreme poverty. They provided a built-in mechanism to address economic disparities, ensure a safety net for the poor, and maintain the tribal inheritance structure established when Israel entered the promised land (Numbers 26:53).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "possession of his fathers" (Hebrew: ahuzzat abotayv) strongly emphasizes the concept of inherited land and property, which was foundational to Israelite identity and tribal structure. It highlights the importance of lineage and the divinely appointed distribution of land among the twelve tribes. The return to this "possession" meant a restoration of dignity, economic stability, and family legacy.

Practical Application

While the specific practice of the Jubilee is not observed today, the principles behind Leviticus 25:41 remain highly relevant:

  • God's Heart for the Oppressed: This verse reveals God's deep compassion for the poor and those trapped in debt or servitude. It calls believers to advocate for social justice, economic fairness, and to care for the vulnerable in society.
  • The Hope of Restoration: Just as the Israelite servant looked forward to the Year of Jubilee for release and restoration, believers today can find hope in the ultimate redemption offered through Christ. He offers freedom from the bondage of sin and a return to a right relationship with God, our true inheritance (Galatians 5:1).
  • Cycles of Rest and Renewal: The Jubilee concept encourages us to consider the need for cycles of rest, forgiveness, and renewal in our personal lives, communities, and even economic systems, preventing burnout and promoting holistic well-being.

Leviticus 25:41 is a powerful reminder of God's desire for liberty, justice, and the restoration of His people to their rightful place and inheritance.

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Cross-References

  • Leviticus 25:28 (5 votes)

    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.

  • Exodus 21:3 (3 votes)

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

  • Titus 2:14 (2 votes)

    Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

  • Leviticus 25:10 (2 votes)

    And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout [all] the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubile unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family.

  • Romans 6:14 (2 votes)

    For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

  • John 8:32 (2 votes)

    And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.