Leviticus 25:29 - “‘If a man sells a dwelling house in a walled city, then he may redeem it within a whole year after it has been sold. For a full year he shall have the right of redemption.
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 25:29" mean?
Leviticus 25:29 outlines a specific law regarding the sale of a house within a walled city in ancient Israel. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
"If a man sells a dwelling house in a walled city...": This sets the context. The law applies specifically to a residential property located inside the walls of a city.
"...then he may redeem it within a whole year after it has been sold.": This is the core of the law. The seller (or a close relative, according to related laws) has the right to buy back (redeem) the house within one year from the date of sale.
"For a full year he shall have the right of redemption.": This emphasizes the duration of the right of redemption. It's a one-year window, not a shorter period.
In essence, the verse grants a seller (or their family) a one-year option to repurchase their house in a walled city.
Purpose and Significance:
This law likely served several purposes:
Protecting Family Heritage: Land and houses were considered part of a family's inheritance and connection to the land. This law helped prevent families from permanently losing their property due to financial hardship.
Social Safety Net: It provided a safety net for those who had to sell their homes due to economic circumstances. It gave them a chance to recover and reclaim their property.
Limiting Speculation: By allowing redemption, it might have discouraged excessive speculation in real estate within walled cities.
Differentiation from Rural Property: The fact that this law specifically applied to houses within walled cities suggests a difference in how such properties were viewed compared to agricultural land or houses in unwalled villages. Land sales had their own redemption rules (see Leviticus 25:23-28). Perhaps properties in cities were seen as more easily recoverable financially, or more linked to a person's livelihood beyond agriculture.
Important Considerations:
Redemption Price: The verse doesn't specify how the redemption price was calculated. It would likely have involved repaying the original purchase price.
After the Year: Leviticus 25:30 goes on to say that if the house is not redeemed within the year, it becomes the permanent property of the buyer.
Context: This law is part of a larger section in Leviticus dealing with land redemption, the Year of Jubilee, and the treatment of the poor. It needs to be understood within that broader context.
In summary, Leviticus 25:29 is a specific legal provision designed to protect families from permanently losing their homes in walled cities by granting them a one-year right of redemption after the sale. It reflects the values of preserving family heritage and providing a safety net for those facing economic hardship.
Leviticus 25:29 - “‘If a man sells a dwelling house in a walled city, then he may redeem it within a whole year after it has been sold. For a full year he shall have the right of redemption.
What does "Leviticus 25:29" mean?
Leviticus 25:29 outlines a specific law regarding the sale of a house within a walled city in ancient Israel. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
"If a man sells a dwelling house in a walled city...": This sets the context. The law applies specifically to a residential property located inside the walls of a city.
"...then he may redeem it within a whole year after it has been sold.": This is the core of the law. The seller (or a close relative, according to related laws) has the right to buy back (redeem) the house within one year from the date of sale.
"For a full year he shall have the right of redemption.": This emphasizes the duration of the right of redemption. It's a one-year window, not a shorter period.
In essence, the verse grants a seller (or their family) a one-year option to repurchase their house in a walled city.
Purpose and Significance:
This law likely served several purposes:
Protecting Family Heritage: Land and houses were considered part of a family's inheritance and connection to the land. This law helped prevent families from permanently losing their property due to financial hardship.
Social Safety Net: It provided a safety net for those who had to sell their homes due to economic circumstances. It gave them a chance to recover and reclaim their property.
Limiting Speculation: By allowing redemption, it might have discouraged excessive speculation in real estate within walled cities.
Differentiation from Rural Property: The fact that this law specifically applied to houses within walled cities suggests a difference in how such properties were viewed compared to agricultural land or houses in unwalled villages. Land sales had their own redemption rules (see Leviticus 25:23-28). Perhaps properties in cities were seen as more easily recoverable financially, or more linked to a person's livelihood beyond agriculture.
Important Considerations:
Redemption Price: The verse doesn't specify how the redemption price was calculated. It would likely have involved repaying the original purchase price.
After the Year: Leviticus 25:30 goes on to say that if the house is not redeemed within the year, it becomes the permanent property of the buyer.
Context: This law is part of a larger section in Leviticus dealing with land redemption, the Year of Jubilee, and the treatment of the poor. It needs to be understood within that broader context.
In summary, Leviticus 25:29 is a specific legal provision designed to protect families from permanently losing their homes in walled cities by granting them a one-year right of redemption after the sale. It reflects the values of preserving family heritage and providing a safety net for those facing economic hardship.