Leviticus 25:52 - If there remain but a few years to the year of jubilee, then he shall reckon with him; according to his years of service he shall give back the price of his 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 25:52" mean?
Leviticus 25:52 refers to a scenario where an Israelite has sold themselves into servitude (think indentured servitude, not chattel slavery as practiced in the Americas) to another Israelite (or a resident alien who had become prosperous). This law governs how much they need to pay to be released from that servitude before the Year of Jubilee.
Here's a breakdown:
"If there remain but a few years to the year of jubilee...": This sets the context. The Year of Jubilee was a special year occurring every 50 years where debts were forgiven, land was returned to its original owners, and indentured servants were freed.
"...then he shall reckon with him...": This means the servant and their master (or the person to whom they sold themselves) must calculate the remaining time until the Jubilee.
"...according to his years of service...": This is key. The price of redemption (the amount the servant needs to pay to be freed) is proportional to the amount of time they've already served. The more years they've served, the less they owe.
"...he shall give back the price of his redemption.": The servant, or someone on their behalf, pays the master a sum calculated based on the remaining years until the Jubilee. This sum allows them to be released from servitude.
In simpler terms:
Imagine someone sold themselves into servitude for 50 years (to the Jubilee).
If they want to buy their freedom after 10 years (40 years before Jubilee), they need to pay for the remaining 40 years' worth of service.
If they wait until 45 years have passed (5 years before Jubilee), they only need to pay for the remaining 5 years' worth of service.
Key Principles and Context:
Redemption: This verse emphasizes the principle of redemption. There's always a way out of servitude.
Justice and Fairness: The law aims to be fair to both the servant and the master. The master receives compensation for the service lost, and the servant isn't trapped indefinitely.
Economic Safety Net: The Year of Jubilee and these redemption laws acted as an economic safety net for Israelites who had fallen into poverty. They prevented families from becoming permanently impoverished and enslaved.
Protection Against Abuse: While servitude existed in this system, these laws were designed to limit its duration and protect the servant from exploitation. This servitude was also likely less harsh than the chattel slavery the Israelites experienced in Egypt. The goal was to help those in financial trouble, not to permanently oppress them.
In essence, this verse outlines a mechanism for a person in indentured servitude to buy their freedom early by paying a sum proportional to the remaining time until the Year of Jubilee. It reflects the values of justice, redemption, and protection for the vulnerable within the Israelite community.
Leviticus 25:52 - If there remain but a few years to the year of jubilee, then he shall reckon with him; according to his years of service he shall give back the price of his redemption.
What does "Leviticus 25:52" mean?
Leviticus 25:52 refers to a scenario where an Israelite has sold themselves into servitude (think indentured servitude, not chattel slavery as practiced in the Americas) to another Israelite (or a resident alien who had become prosperous). This law governs how much they need to pay to be released from that servitude before the Year of Jubilee.
Here's a breakdown:
"If there remain but a few years to the year of jubilee...": This sets the context. The Year of Jubilee was a special year occurring every 50 years where debts were forgiven, land was returned to its original owners, and indentured servants were freed.
"...then he shall reckon with him...": This means the servant and their master (or the person to whom they sold themselves) must calculate the remaining time until the Jubilee.
"...according to his years of service...": This is key. The price of redemption (the amount the servant needs to pay to be freed) is proportional to the amount of time they've already served. The more years they've served, the less they owe.
"...he shall give back the price of his redemption.": The servant, or someone on their behalf, pays the master a sum calculated based on the remaining years until the Jubilee. This sum allows them to be released from servitude.
In simpler terms:
Imagine someone sold themselves into servitude for 50 years (to the Jubilee).
If they want to buy their freedom after 10 years (40 years before Jubilee), they need to pay for the remaining 40 years' worth of service.
If they wait until 45 years have passed (5 years before Jubilee), they only need to pay for the remaining 5 years' worth of service.
Key Principles and Context:
Redemption: This verse emphasizes the principle of redemption. There's always a way out of servitude.
Justice and Fairness: The law aims to be fair to both the servant and the master. The master receives compensation for the service lost, and the servant isn't trapped indefinitely.
Economic Safety Net: The Year of Jubilee and these redemption laws acted as an economic safety net for Israelites who had fallen into poverty. They prevented families from becoming permanently impoverished and enslaved.
Protection Against Abuse: While servitude existed in this system, these laws were designed to limit its duration and protect the servant from exploitation. This servitude was also likely less harsh than the chattel slavery the Israelites experienced in Egypt. The goal was to help those in financial trouble, not to permanently oppress them.
In essence, this verse outlines a mechanism for a person in indentured servitude to buy their freedom early by paying a sum proportional to the remaining time until the Year of Jubilee. It reflects the values of justice, redemption, and protection for the vulnerable within the Israelite community.