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Leviticus 27:24

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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].

In the year {H8141} of the jubile {H3104} the field {H7704} shall return {H7725} unto him of whom it was bought {H7069}, even to him to whom the possession {H272} of the land {H776} did belong.

In the year of yovel the field will revert to the person from whom it was bought, that is, to the person to whose tribal possession it belongs.

In the Year of Jubilee the field shall return to the one from whom it was bought—the original owner of the land.

In the year of jubilee the field shall return unto him of whom it was bought, even to him to whom the possession of the land belongeth.

Commentary

Leviticus 27:24 KJV speaks to a crucial aspect of the Israelite legal system concerning land ownership and the unique institution of the Jubilee year. This verse clarifies that any land sold during the fifty-year cycle must revert to its original tribal or family owner when the Jubilee arrives, emphasizing God's ultimate sovereignty over the land and His design for Israelite society.

Context of the Jubilee

The book of Leviticus contains detailed laws given by God to the nation of Israel, guiding their worship, social structure, and ethical conduct. Leviticus 27 specifically deals with laws concerning vows and the redemption of dedicated things, including property. Verse 24 falls within the broader context of the Year of Jubilee, which was to be observed every fifty years (after seven cycles of sabbatical years).

The Jubilee was a comprehensive year of liberation: all Israelite slaves were set free, all debts were remitted, and all land that had been bought or sold since the previous Jubilee was to return to its original family or tribal owner. This ensured that no family could permanently lose its ancestral inheritance, and it prevented the permanent accumulation of vast estates by a few wealthy individuals, thereby promoting social equity and reminding the people that the land ultimately belonged to God (as stated in Leviticus 25:23).

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Sovereignty and Ownership: The Jubilee laws, including the return of land, underscore the theological truth that God is the ultimate owner of the land of Israel. The people were merely stewards, holding the land in trust from Him. This principle prevented Israel from developing a landed aristocracy that could permanently dispossess others.
  • Redemption and Restoration: The return of land signifies a powerful theme of redemption and restoration. It provided a fresh start for families who had fallen on hard times and had to sell their inheritance. This cycle prevented generational poverty and ensured the long-term stability of the tribal inheritances established in the division of the land.
  • Social Justice and Equity: The Jubilee acted as a built-in economic and social safety net, providing a mechanism for wealth redistribution and preventing extreme disparities. It ensured that every Israelite family had access to the means of livelihood and maintained their tribal identity and inheritance.
  • Foreshadowing of Spiritual Jubilee: Many theologians see the earthly Jubilee as a type or shadow of a greater spiritual Jubilee to come. The release from debt, the freeing of slaves, and the return to one's inheritance all point to the spiritual liberation and restoration offered through the Messiah.

Linguistic Insights

  • The word "jubile" comes from the Hebrew word yobel (יוֹבֵל), which refers to the ram's horn trumpet that was blown to proclaim the beginning of the Jubilee year (Leviticus 25:9). This audible signal marked a time of profound change and new beginnings.
  • "Possession" in this context is from the Hebrew 'achuzzah (אֲחֻזָּה), which refers to an inherited, permanent holding or property. It emphasizes the concept of an inalienable family inheritance that was to be maintained across generations.

Significance and Practical Application

Leviticus 27:24, as part of the Jubilee law, highlights God's concern for justice, equity, and the well-being of all members of His covenant people. While the literal observance of the Jubilee ceased with the dispersion of Israel, its principles remain highly relevant:

  • God's Ultimate Ownership: We are reminded that all we possess, including our resources and even our lives, ultimately belong to God. This encourages stewardship and generosity rather than hoarding.
  • Second Chances: The Jubilee provided a built-in system for second chances and fresh starts, reflecting God's grace and His desire for people to be free from oppressive burdens.
  • Spiritual Liberation: The most profound application is found in the spiritual Jubilee proclaimed by Jesus Christ. In Luke 4:18-19, Jesus quotes Isaiah 61:1-2, declaring His mission to "preach deliverance to the captives... to set at liberty them that are bruised," signaling the spiritual Jubilee that grants freedom from the bondage of sin, debt to God, and spiritual inheritance through faith in Him.

This verse, therefore, is not just an ancient land law but a powerful illustration of God's character as a Redeemer and a Just King who desires restoration for His people.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Leviticus 25:28 (4 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.

  • Leviticus 27:20 (2 votes)

    And if he will not redeem the field, or if he have sold the field to another man, it shall not be redeemed any more.