Leviticus 25:50 - He shall reckon with him who bought him from the year that he sold himself to him to the Year of Jubilee. The price of his sale shall be according to the number of years; he shall be with him according to the time of a hired servant.
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What does "Leviticus 25:50" mean?
This verse from Leviticus 25:50 is part of a larger section dealing with the redemption of Israelites who have sold themselves into servitude due to poverty. Let's break down what it means:
"He shall reckon with him who bought him from the year that he sold himself to him to the Year of Jubilee." This establishes a financial accounting. The person who sold himself (or was sold by family due to debt) has the right to be redeemed before the Year of Jubilee. "Reckon with" means to calculate the remaining value of the servitude. The calculation goes back to when the individual was first sold into servitude.
"The price of his sale shall be according to the number of years;..." This means the original purchase price was determined based on the anticipated number of years of service until the next Jubilee.
"...he shall be with him according to the time of a hired servant." This is a key point. Even though the Israelite is in a servant-like relationship, they are to be treated like a hired servant (a temporary worker) rather than a permanent slave. This implies certain rights and protections, differentiating this situation from chattel slavery (where the person is considered property). A hired servant had more legal protections and a shorter, defined term of service.
In summary, this verse outlines the process by which an Israelite who has sold themselves into servitude can be redeemed (bought back) before the Year of Jubilee:
1. Calculation: The current owner must calculate the value remaining in the servant's labor by determining how many years are left until the next Jubilee.
2. Redemption Price: The redemption price is then determined based on the original value of the service minus the value of service already provided.
3. Treatment as Hired Servant: The overarching principle is that even while under servitude, the person is to be treated like a hired servant, not as a permanent slave with no rights. This reflects the covenant relationship between God and the Israelites; even in poverty, they are still part of the chosen people and deserve a certain level of respect and dignity.
Context and Significance:
The Year of Jubilee: The Year of Jubilee (occurring every 50 years) was a time of societal reset. Debts were canceled, land was returned to its original owners, and indentured servants were freed. This was designed to prevent permanent economic stratification and maintain a more equitable society.
Protection Against Permanent Enslavement: These laws in Leviticus were designed to prevent Israelites from falling into permanent, inescapable servitude to other Israelites. The ability to be redeemed and the automatic release at the Jubilee were crucial safeguards.
Emphasis on Covenant: The entire system reflects the understanding that all Israelites belonged ultimately to God and that the land and its resources were meant to be shared equitably.
This verse, therefore, speaks to a more nuanced understanding of servitude in ancient Israel than a simple master/slave dichotomy. It emphasizes redemption, financial responsibility, and humane treatment, all within the framework of the covenant between God and his people.
Leviticus 25:50 - He shall reckon with him who bought him from the year that he sold himself to him to the Year of Jubilee. The price of his sale shall be according to the number of years; he shall be with him according to the time of a hired servant.
What does "Leviticus 25:50" mean?
This verse from Leviticus 25:50 is part of a larger section dealing with the redemption of Israelites who have sold themselves into servitude due to poverty. Let's break down what it means:
"He shall reckon with him who bought him from the year that he sold himself to him to the Year of Jubilee." This establishes a financial accounting. The person who sold himself (or was sold by family due to debt) has the right to be redeemed before the Year of Jubilee. "Reckon with" means to calculate the remaining value of the servitude. The calculation goes back to when the individual was first sold into servitude.
"The price of his sale shall be according to the number of years;..." This means the original purchase price was determined based on the anticipated number of years of service until the next Jubilee.
"...he shall be with him according to the time of a hired servant." This is a key point. Even though the Israelite is in a servant-like relationship, they are to be treated like a hired servant (a temporary worker) rather than a permanent slave. This implies certain rights and protections, differentiating this situation from chattel slavery (where the person is considered property). A hired servant had more legal protections and a shorter, defined term of service.
In summary, this verse outlines the process by which an Israelite who has sold themselves into servitude can be redeemed (bought back) before the Year of Jubilee:
1. Calculation: The current owner must calculate the value remaining in the servant's labor by determining how many years are left until the next Jubilee.
2. Redemption Price: The redemption price is then determined based on the original value of the service minus the value of service already provided.
3. Treatment as Hired Servant: The overarching principle is that even while under servitude, the person is to be treated like a hired servant, not as a permanent slave with no rights. This reflects the covenant relationship between God and the Israelites; even in poverty, they are still part of the chosen people and deserve a certain level of respect and dignity.
Context and Significance:
The Year of Jubilee: The Year of Jubilee (occurring every 50 years) was a time of societal reset. Debts were canceled, land was returned to its original owners, and indentured servants were freed. This was designed to prevent permanent economic stratification and maintain a more equitable society.
Protection Against Permanent Enslavement: These laws in Leviticus were designed to prevent Israelites from falling into permanent, inescapable servitude to other Israelites. The ability to be redeemed and the automatic release at the Jubilee were crucial safeguards.
Emphasis on Covenant: The entire system reflects the understanding that all Israelites belonged ultimately to God and that the land and its resources were meant to be shared equitably.
This verse, therefore, speaks to a more nuanced understanding of servitude in ancient Israel than a simple master/slave dichotomy. It emphasizes redemption, financial responsibility, and humane treatment, all within the framework of the covenant between God and his people.