Leviticus 25:23 - “‘The land shall not be sold in perpetuity, for the land is mine; for you are strangers and live as foreigners with me.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Leviticus 25:23" mean?
This verse from Leviticus 25:23, part of the Jubilee law, is a cornerstone of the Israelite understanding of land ownership and its relationship to God. Let's break down its meaning:
"‘The land shall not be sold in perpetuity...": This is the core principle. It means that land sales should not be permanent. It prevents the accumulation of land by a few wealthy individuals and aims to maintain a more equitable distribution of resources throughout generations.
"...for the land is mine...": This is the theological justification. The land ultimately belongs to God (Yahweh). The Israelites are merely stewards or tenants, not absolute owners. This establishes God's supreme authority and control over the land.
"...for you are strangers and live as foreigners with me.": This emphasizes the temporary and dependent nature of the Israelites' relationship to the land. They are "strangers" (Hebrew: gerim) and "foreigners" (Hebrew: toshavim) residing with God on His land. This reminds them of their origin and their obligation to treat the land with respect and justice, as God's tenants.
In simpler terms:
You can't sell land forever. It has to revert back to the original family after a certain period (specifically, during the Jubilee year, every 50 years).
The reason you can't sell it forever is that the land actually belongs to God, not to you.
You're basically just living here temporarily, like a guest on God's property.
Key Implications and Interpretations:
Social Justice: This law aimed to prevent the creation of a permanent class of landless poor. The Jubilee year allowed families who had fallen into debt and sold their land to recover it, restoring their economic independence.
Relationship with God: It reinforced the idea that the Israelites were in a covenant relationship with God. The land was a gift from God, conditional on their obedience to His laws.
Stewardship: It promoted a sense of responsibility and stewardship toward the land. The Israelites were not free to exploit it without regard for future generations or the environment.
Symbolic Meaning: Some interpretations extend the meaning beyond just physical land. The "land" can also symbolize one's heritage, identity, or spiritual connection to God. The principle of not selling it "in perpetuity" can be applied to preserving one's values and faith.
Impact on Later Thought: This concept of land ownership has had lasting influence on Jewish thought, as well as informing social justice movements and theological perspectives on environmentalism.
In conclusion, Leviticus 25:23 isn't just a real estate regulation. It's a statement about divine ownership, social responsibility, and the temporary nature of human possession, reminding the Israelites, and later readers, of their place within God's world.
Leviticus 25:23 - “‘The land shall not be sold in perpetuity, for the land is mine; for you are strangers and live as foreigners with me.
What does "Leviticus 25:23" mean?
This verse from Leviticus 25:23, part of the Jubilee law, is a cornerstone of the Israelite understanding of land ownership and its relationship to God. Let's break down its meaning:
"‘The land shall not be sold in perpetuity...": This is the core principle. It means that land sales should not be permanent. It prevents the accumulation of land by a few wealthy individuals and aims to maintain a more equitable distribution of resources throughout generations.
"...for the land is mine...": This is the theological justification. The land ultimately belongs to God (Yahweh). The Israelites are merely stewards or tenants, not absolute owners. This establishes God's supreme authority and control over the land.
"...for you are strangers and live as foreigners with me.": This emphasizes the temporary and dependent nature of the Israelites' relationship to the land. They are "strangers" (Hebrew: gerim) and "foreigners" (Hebrew: toshavim) residing with God on His land. This reminds them of their origin and their obligation to treat the land with respect and justice, as God's tenants.
In simpler terms:
You can't sell land forever. It has to revert back to the original family after a certain period (specifically, during the Jubilee year, every 50 years).
The reason you can't sell it forever is that the land actually belongs to God, not to you.
You're basically just living here temporarily, like a guest on God's property.
Key Implications and Interpretations:
Social Justice: This law aimed to prevent the creation of a permanent class of landless poor. The Jubilee year allowed families who had fallen into debt and sold their land to recover it, restoring their economic independence.
Relationship with God: It reinforced the idea that the Israelites were in a covenant relationship with God. The land was a gift from God, conditional on their obedience to His laws.
Stewardship: It promoted a sense of responsibility and stewardship toward the land. The Israelites were not free to exploit it without regard for future generations or the environment.
Symbolic Meaning: Some interpretations extend the meaning beyond just physical land. The "land" can also symbolize one's heritage, identity, or spiritual connection to God. The principle of not selling it "in perpetuity" can be applied to preserving one's values and faith.
Impact on Later Thought: This concept of land ownership has had lasting influence on Jewish thought, as well as informing social justice movements and theological perspectives on environmentalism.
In conclusion, Leviticus 25:23 isn't just a real estate regulation. It's a statement about divine ownership, social responsibility, and the temporary nature of human possession, reminding the Israelites, and later readers, of their place within God's world.