Leviticus 25:28

Authorized King James 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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְאִ֨ם
H518
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
#2
לֹֽא
H3808
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#3
מָצְאָ֜ה
H4672
to restore
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
#4
בְּיַד֙
H3027
But if he
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
#5
דֵּי֮
H1767
be not able
enough (as noun or adverb), used chiefly with preposition in phrases
#6
וְשָׁ֖ב
H7725
and he shall return
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
#7
לוֹ֒
H0
#8
וְהָיָ֣ה
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#9
מִמְכָּר֗וֹ
H4465
it to him then that which is sold
merchandise; abstractly, a selling
#10
בְּיַד֙
H3027
But if he
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
#11
הַקֹּנֶ֣ה
H7069
of him that hath bought
to erect, i.e., create; by extension, to procure, especially by purchase (causatively, sell); by implication to own
#12
אֹת֔וֹ
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#13
עַ֖ד
H5704
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
#14
שְׁנַ֣ת
H8141
it until the year
a year (as a revolution of time)
#15
בַּיֹּבֵ֔ל
H3104
and in the jubile
the blast of a horn (from its continuous sound); specifically, the signal of the silver trumpets; hence, the instrument itself and the festival thus i
#16
וְיָצָא֙
H3318
it shall go out
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#17
בַּיֹּבֵ֔ל
H3104
and in the jubile
the blast of a horn (from its continuous sound); specifically, the signal of the silver trumpets; hence, the instrument itself and the festival thus i
#18
וְשָׁ֖ב
H7725
and he shall return
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
#19
לַֽאֲחֻזָּתֽוֹ׃
H272
unto his possession
something seized, i.e., a possession (especially of land)

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

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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