Leviticus 25:51 - If there are yet many years, according to them he shall give back the price of his redemption out of the money that he was bought for.

Generated Verse: Leviticus 25:51

What does "Leviticus 25:51" mean?


Leviticus 25 deals with the laws of redemption, specifically concerning land and people who have sold themselves into servitude due to poverty. Verse 51 addresses the situation where someone sold themselves into servitude and wants to buy their freedom back before the Jubilee year (a year of release and restoration) arrives.

Here's a breakdown of the verse and its meaning:

"If there are yet many years...": This refers to the time remaining until the next Jubilee year. The Jubilee year was to occur every 50th year, a time when debts were forgiven and people regained their ancestral lands.

"...according to them he shall give back the price of his redemption...": "According to them" refers to calculating the number of years remaining until the Jubilee. The person seeking redemption needs to pay back a proportional amount of the money they received when they sold themselves into servitude. This is not a fixed sum, but rather depends on how much time is left until the Jubilee.

"...out of the money that he was bought for.": This refers to the initial price the master paid for the servant. The redemption price is based on this original purchase price, but scaled to the remaining time.

In essence, the verse establishes a system for calculating the price a servant must pay to buy their freedom before the Jubilee year. The redemption price is determined by how many years are left until the Jubilee, allowing the servant to pay a fair amount proportional to the service they still owe.

Example:

Let's say someone sold themselves for 50 shekels, and there are 25 years left until the Jubilee. They would only need to pay back 25/50 (or half) of the original purchase price. In this case, they would pay 25 shekels.

Significance:

This verse reflects the Israelite concern for justice and fairness, even within the context of servitude. It acknowledges the economic realities that might force someone to sell themselves, but it also provides a way for them to regain their freedom before the Jubilee, provided they can afford it. It provides a legal and structured means for regaining personal freedom.

The laws in Leviticus 25 are not about promoting or condoning slavery, but rather about regulating existing social and economic realities in a way that mitigates their harshest effects and prioritizes eventual restoration.

What categories does "Leviticus 25:51" have?