Leviticus 25:28

Verse

But 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.

American Standard Version (1901)

But if he be not able to get it back for himself, then that which he hath sold shall remain in the hand of him that hath bought it until the year of jubilee: and in the jubilee it shall go out, and he shall return unto his possession.

Bible in Basic English

But if he is not able to get it back for himself, then it will be kept by him who gave a price for it, till the year of Jubilee; and in that year it will go back to its first owner and he will have his property again.

Douay-Rheims 1899

But if his hands find not the means to repay the price, the buyer shall have what he bought, until the year of the jubilee. For in that year all that is sold shall return to the owner, and to the ancient possessor.

Free Bible Version

If they can't raise enough to pay the person back for the land, the buyer will remain its owner until the Jubilee Year. But in the Jubilee the land will be returned so that the original owner can so that they can go back to their property.

Geneva Bible 1599

But if he can not get sufficient to restore to him, then that which is solde, shall remaine in the hande of him that hath bought it, vntill the yere of the Iubile: and in the Iubile it shall come out, and he shall returne vnto his possession.

King James (Authorized) Version

But if he be not able to restore it to him, then that which is sold shall remain in the hand of him that hath bought it until the year of jubile: and in the jubile it shall go out, and he shall return unto his possession.

One Unity Resource Bible

But if he is not able to get it back for himself, then what he has sold shall remain in the hand of him who has bought it until the Jubilee Year ·Shofar Year·: and in the Jubilee it shall be released, and he shall teshuvah ·completely return· to his property. (RY:3, LY:5)

Translation for Translators

But if the original owner does not have any money to buy the land that he sold, it will continue to belong to the man who bought it, until the next Year of Celebration. In that year it must be returned to its original owner, and he will be able to live on it again.

Unlocked Literal Bible

But if he is not able to get the land back for himself, then the land he has sold will remain in the ownership of the one who bought it until the year of Jubilee. At the year of Jubilee, the land will be returned to the man who sold it, and the original owner will return to his property.

Noah Webster Bible

But if he shall not be able to restore it to him, then that which is sold shall remain in the hand of him that hath bought it until the year of jubilee: and in the jubilee it shall go out, and he shall return to his possession.

World English Bible

But if he isn’t able to get it back for himself, then what he has sold shall remain in the hand of him who has bought it until the Year of Jubilee. In the Jubilee it shall be released, and he shall return to his property.

Young's Literal Translation

'And if his hand hath not found sufficiency to give back to him, then hath his sold thing been in the hand of him who buyeth it till the year of jubilee; and it hath gone out in the jubilee, and he hath returned to his possession.

Context

The Law of Redemption

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.

Summary

In Leviticus 25:28, the law addresses the issue of property redemption within the context of the Year of Jubilee. It emphasizes the principle of fairness and restoration, ensuring that ancestral land remains with the original family and cannot be permanently sold. This regulation reflects God's concern for social justice and the preservation of family heritage. The Year of Jubilee serves as a reminder of God's provision, mercy, and the importance of stewardship in managing resources according to His divine plan.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

But if he be not able to restore it to him,.... The overplus, or give him what is in proportion to the time he has had it, and yet to come: then that which is sold shall remain in the hand of him that bought it until the year of the jubilee; continue in his possession, and he shall enjoy all the benefit of it till that year comes: and in the jubilee it shall go out: out of his hands or possession; or "he shall go out" (g), the purchaser shall go out of what he has bought, and shall have no more possession of it, but it shall come into the hands of the seller, and that without money, as the Targum of Jonathan adds: and he shall return unto his possession; the seller, and enter upon it and enjoy it as his own property, as before he sold it. (g) "discedet emptor", Junius & Tremellius.