Leviticus 25:46
Leviticus 25:46 in Multiple Translations
You may leave them to your sons after you to inherit as property; you can make them slaves for life. But as for your brothers, the Israelites, no man may rule harshly over his brother.
And ye shall take them as an inheritance for your children after you, to inherit them for a possession; they shall be your bondmen for ever: but over your brethren the children of Israel, ye shall not rule one over another with rigour.
And ye shall make them an inheritance for your children after you, to hold for a possession; of them shall ye take your bondmen for ever: but over your brethren the children of Israel ye shall not rule, one over another, with rigor.
And they will be your children's heritage after you, to keep as their property; they will be your servants for ever; but you may not be hard masters to your countrymen, the children of Israel.
You can pass them on to your children to inherit as property after you die. You can make them slaves for life, but you must not brutally treat any of your own people, the Israelites, as a slave.
So ye shall take them as inheritance for your children after you, to possesse them by inheritance, ye shall vse their labours for euer: but ouer your brethren the children of Israel ye shall not rule one ouer another with crueltie.
and ye have taken them for inheritance to your sons after you, to occupy [for] a possession; to the age ye lay service upon them, but upon your brethren, the sons of Israel, one with another, thou dost not rule over him with rigour.
You may make them an inheritance for your children after you, to hold for a possession. Of them you may take your slaves forever, but over your brothers the children of Israel you shall not rule, one over another, with harshness.
And ye shall take them as an inheritance for your children after you, to inherit them for a possession, they shall be your bond-men for ever: but over your brethren the children of Israel, ye shall not rule one over another with rigor.
And by right of inheritance shall leave them to your posterity, and shall possess them for ever. But oppress not your brethren the children of Israel by might.
They will be your slaves for the remaining years of your life, and after you die, it is permitted for your children to own them. But you must not act in brutal ways toward your fellow Israelis.
Berean Amplified Bible — Leviticus 25:46
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Leviticus 25:46 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Hebrew Word Reference — Leviticus 25:46
Study Notes — Leviticus 25:46
- Context
- Cross References
- Leviticus 25:46 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 25:46
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Leviticus 25:46
- Trapp's Commentary on Leviticus 25:46
- Ellicott's Commentary on Leviticus 25:46
- Cambridge Bible on Leviticus 25:46
- Whedon's Commentary on Leviticus 25:46
Context — Redemption of Bondmen
46You may leave them to your sons after you to inherit as property; you can make them slaves for life. But as for your brothers, the Israelites, no man may rule harshly over his brother.
47If a foreigner residing among you prospers, but your countryman dwelling near him becomes destitute and sells himself to the foreigner or to a member of his clan, 48he retains the right of redemption after he has sold himself. One of his brothers may redeem him:Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 14:2 | The nations will escort Israel and bring it to its homeland. Then the house of Israel will possess the nations as menservants and maidservants in the LORD’s land. They will make captives of their captors and rule over their oppressors. |
| 2 | Leviticus 25:43 | You are not to rule over them harshly, but you shall fear your God. |
Leviticus 25:46 Summary
This verse, Leviticus 25:46, teaches that while the Israelites could have slaves from other nations, they were not allowed to treat their fellow Israelites harshly or make them slaves. This principle is rooted in God's command to love and respect one another, as seen in Leviticus 19:18 and 19:34. In simple terms, this means treating others with kindness, fairness, and compassion, whether they are friends, family, or even those we might consider 'below' us, as Jesus taught in Matthew 22:39 and Matthew 25:31-46. By following this principle, we can create a more just and loving community, reflecting God's heart for humanity, as seen in Isaiah 61:1 and Luke 4:18-19.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to make someone a slave for life according to Leviticus 25:46?
According to Leviticus 25:46, making someone a slave for life means they are bound to serve their master and their descendants forever, as stated in the verse, but it's essential to note that this principle does not apply to fellow Israelites, as seen in the second part of the verse, which emphasizes the importance of treating brothers with kindness and respect, similar to the teachings in Exodus 21:2-6 and Deuteronomy 15:12-18.
Why are the Israelites not allowed to rule harshly over their brothers?
The Israelites are not allowed to rule harshly over their brothers because God wants them to treat each other with love, kindness, and respect, as taught in Leviticus 19:18 and 19:34, where it says to love your neighbor as yourself, and in the New Testament, Jesus reinforces this teaching in Matthew 22:39.
Can this verse be applied to modern-day employment or social relationships?
While the context of Leviticus 25:46 is specific to the Israelites and their relationships with slaves and fellow Israelites, the underlying principle of treating others with kindness, respect, and fairness can be applied to modern-day relationships, including employment, as seen in Ephesians 6:5-9 and Colossians 3:22-4:1, where it teaches about the relationships between masters and slaves, and by extension, employers and employees.
How does this verse relate to the concept of redemption in the Bible?
The concept of redemption is closely tied to the idea of treating others with kindness and respect, as seen in the surrounding verses, such as Leviticus 25:47-48, where it talks about the right of redemption for an Israelite who has sold himself to a foreigner, highlighting God's heart for justice, mercy, and the value of human life, as also seen in Isaiah 61:1 and Luke 4:18-19.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can apply the principle of treating others with kindness and respect in my daily life, especially in my relationships with those who may be considered 'under' me, such as employees or those in need?
- How can I balance the need to lead or manage others with the command to treat them with love and respect, as taught in Matthew 20:25-28 and 1 Peter 5:1-5?
- In what ways can I show respect and kindness to those who may be different from me, whether in social status, background, or beliefs, as taught in Galatians 3:28 and Colossians 3:11?
- What are some areas in my life where I may be unintentionally 'ruling harshly' over others, and how can I change my behavior to be more like Christ, as seen in Matthew 11:28-30 and Philippians 2:3-8?
