Leviticus 25:27

Verse

he shall calculate the years since its sale, repay the balance to the man to whom he sold it, and return to his property.

American Standard Version (1901)

then let him reckon the years of the sale thereof, and restore the overplus unto the man to whom he sold it; and he shall return unto his possession.

Bible in Basic English

Then let him take into account the years from the time when he gave it up, and make up the loss for the rest of the years to him who took it, and so get back his property.

Douay-Rheims 1899

The value of the fruits shall be counted from that time when he sold it: and the overplus he shall restore to the buyer, and so shall receive his possession again.

Free Bible Version

they will work how many years it has been since the sale, and pay back the balance to the person who bought it, and go back to their property

Geneva Bible 1599

Then shall he count the yeeres of his sale, and restore the ouerplus to the man, to whome he solde it: so shall he returne to his possession.

King James (Authorized) Version

Then let him count the years of the sale thereof, and restore the overplus unto the man to whom he sold it; that he may return unto his possession.

One Unity Resource Bible

then let him reckon the years since its sale, and restore the surplus to the man to whom he sold it; and he shall teshuvah ·completely return· to his property.

Translation for Translators

he must calculate how many years there will be until the next Year of Celebration. Then he must pay to the man who bought the land the money that he would have earned by continuing to grow crops on that land for those years.

Unlocked Literal Bible

then he may calculate the years since the land was sold and repay the balance to the man to whom he sold it. Then he may return to his own property.

Noah Webster Bible

Then let him count the years of the sale of it, and restore the overplus to the man to whom he sold it; that he may return to his possession.

World English Bible

then let him reckon the years since its sale, and restore the surplus to the man to whom he sold it; and he shall return to his property.

Young's Literal Translation

then he hath reckoned the years of its sale, and hath given back that which is over to the man to whom he sold [it], and he hath returned to his possession.

Context

The Law of Redemption

²⁶Or if a man has no one to redeem it for him, but he prospers and acquires enough to redeem his land,²⁷he shall calculate the years since its sale, repay the balance to the man to whom he sold it, and return to his property.²⁸But if he cannot obtain enough to repay him, what he sold will remain in possession of the buyer until the Year of Jubilee. In the Jubilee, however, it is to be released, so that he may return to his property.

Sermons

Jubilee - Part 1

G.W. North

1.4K

Summary

In Leviticus 25:27, the law addresses the scenario where a person becomes poor and is forced to sell their ancestral land. This verse emphasizes the importance of preserving family inheritance and ensuring that land remains within the original family lineage. It reflects God's concern for justice, equity, and the well-being of His people, promoting a system that prevents permanent loss of property and safeguards against exploitation. The provision in this verse serves as a reminder of God's care for the vulnerable and His desire for fairness and compassion within the community. Ultimately, it points to the value of honoring God's principles in all aspects of life, including property rights and social welfare.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

Then let him count the years of the sale thereof,.... How many years had passed since it was sold, how many it had been in the hands of the purchaser, and how many were yet to come to the year of the jubilee, by which means the price of redemption might easily be settled; thus, for instance, if the years were alike and there was just half the time gone, then half of the price it was sold at was repaid to the purchaser; and if not alike, then in proportion to what had passed and were to come: and restore the overplus unto the man to whom he sold it; for the years that were yet to come; if, as Jarchi says, he has eaten of or enjoyed the fruit of the field three or four years, deduct the price of them from the account, and take the rest; this is the meaning, "and restore the overplus", out of the price of the sale, according to what is eaten, and give it to the buyer: Maimonides (e) explains it thus; that if there were ten years to the year of the jubilee, and the field was sold for an hundred pieces, if he that bought it has eaten of it three years, then the seller that redeems it must give him seventy pieces, and he must restore his field; if he has eaten of it six years, he is to give forty pieces, and the other restores him the field: in the Misnah it is put thus; if he sell it (his field) to the first for an hundred pence, and the first sells it to a second for two hundred, he must not reckon but with the first, as it is said, "unto the man to whom he sold it"; if he sold it to the first for two hundred, and the first sells it to a second for an hundred, he shall not count but with the last, as it is said, "to a man", i.e. to the man which is in the midst of it, or is possessed of it; nor may he sell it for a distant time, that he may redeem it near, nor when in a bad condition, that he may redeem it when in a good one; nor may he borrow to redeem it, nor redeem it by halves (f): that he may return to his possession; and enjoy it again. (e) Hilchot Shemittah Vejobel, ut supra, (c. 11.) sect. 5. (f) Misn. Eracin, ut supra. (c. 9. 1.)