Leviticus 25:23

Authorized King James Version

The land shall not be sold for ever: for the land is mine; for ye are strangers and sojourners with me.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
הָאָ֑רֶץ
The land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#2
לֹ֤א
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#3
תִמָּכֵר֙
shall not be sold
to sell, literally (as merchandise, a daughter in marriage, into slavery), or figuratively (to surrender)
#4
לִצְמִתֻ֔ת
for ever
excision, i.e., destruction; used only (adverbially) with prepositional prefix to extinction, i.e., perpetually
#5
כִּי
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#6
לִ֖י
H0
#7
הָאָ֑רֶץ
The land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#8
כִּֽי
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#9
גֵרִ֧ים
is mine for ye are strangers
properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner
#10
וְתֽוֹשָׁבִ֛ים
and sojourners
a dweller but not outlandish [h5237]; especially (as distinguished from a native citizen [active participle of h3427] and a temporary inmate [h1616] o
#11
אַתֶּ֖ם
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
#12
עִמָּדִֽי׃
along with

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Leviticus Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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