Leviticus 25:28

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

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

Analysis & Commentary

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.

This verse falls within the section on Sabbath Year and Jubilee. Sabbath year rest for land and Year of Jubilee releasing debts and slaves, teaching trust in God's provision.


Every sacrifice and ritual in Leviticus points forward to Jesus Christ, who fulfills the entire sacrificial system as both perfect sacrifice and eternal high priest.

Historical Context

Sabbath year rest for land and Year of Jubilee releasing debts and slaves, teaching trust in God's provision. Chapters 17-27, often called the 'Holiness Code,' expand covenant obligations beyond ritual to encompass all of life—sexuality, economics, justice, and relationships. The repeated refrain 'I am the LORD' grounds these laws in God's character and covenant relationship with Israel. Israel received these laws while encamped at Sinai, before entering Canaan. The laws prepared them for life in the promised land, distinguishing them from Canaanite practices and establishing their identity as God's holy nation. The portable tabernacle, central to Levitical worship, accompanied them through wilderness wanderings and eventually found permanent form in Solomon's temple. The Israelite dietary laws in Leviticus 11 have no exact parallel in surrounding cultures, though some ancient cultures had food taboos, suggesting unique revelation rather than borrowed customs.

Questions for Reflection

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