Leviticus 25:32-42

32 Nevertheless the cities of the Levites, and the houses in the cities of their possession, the Levites may redeem at any time.

33 And if a man purchases a house from the Levites, then the house that was sold in the city of his possession shall be released in the Jubilee; for the houses in the cities of the Levites are their possession among the children of Israel.

34 But the field of the common-land of their cities may not be sold, for it is their perpetual possession.

35 'If one of your brethren becomes poor, and falls into poverty among you, then you shall help him, like a stranger or a sojourner, that he may live with you.

36 Take no usury or interest from him; but fear your God, that your brother may live with you.

37 You shall not lend him your money for usury, nor lend him your food at a profit.

38 I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, to give you the land of Canaan and to be your God.

39 'And if one of your brethren who dwells by you becomes poor, and sells himself to you, you shall not compel him to serve as a slave.

40 As a hired servant and a sojourner he shall be with you, and shall serve you until the Year of Jubilee.

41 And then he shall depart from you--he and his children with him--and shall return to his own family. He shall return to the possession of his fathers.

42 For they are My servants, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt; they shall not be sold as slaves.

Leviticus 25:32-42 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO LEVITICUS 25

In this chapter the Israelites are directed, when come into the land of Canaan, to observe every seventh year as a sabbatical year, in which there was to be no tillage of the land, and yet there would be a sufficiency for man and beast, Le 25:1-7; and every fiftieth year as a year of jubilee, in which also there was to be no tillage of the land, and every man was to return to his possession or estate, which had been sold to another any time before this, Le 25:8-17; and a promise of safety and plenty in the seventh year is made to encourage the observance of it, Le 25:18-22; and several laws and rules are delivered out concerning the sale of lands, the redemption of them, and their return to their original owner in the year of jubilee, Le 25:23-28; and the sale of houses, and the redemption of them, and the difference between those in walled cities and those in villages, with respect thereunto, Le 25:29-31; and also concerning the houses of the cities of the Levites, and the fields of the suburbs of them, Le 25:32-34; to which are added some instructions about relieving decayed, persons, and lending and giving to them, without taking usury of them, Le 25:34-38; and other laws concerning the release of such Israelites as had sold themselves for servants to the Israelites, in the year of jubilee, since none but Heathens were to be bondmen and bondmaids for ever, Le 25:39-46; and of such who were sold to proselytes, Le 25:47-55.