Leviticus 25:33

Authorized King James Version

And if a man purchase of the Levites, then the house that was sold, and the city of his possession, shall go out in the year of jubile: for the houses of the cities of the Levites are their possession among the children of Israel.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַֽאֲשֶׁ֤ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#2
יִגְאַל֙
And if a man purchase
to redeem (according to the middle eastern law of kinship), i.e., to be the next of kin (and as such to buy back a relative's property, marry his wido
#3
מִן
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#4
הַלְוִיִּ֗ם
of the Levites
a levite or descendant of levi
#5
וְיָצָ֧א
shall go out
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#6
מִמְכַּר
that was sold
merchandise; abstractly, a selling
#7
בָתֵּ֞י
for the houses
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#8
עָרֵ֣י
and the city
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
#9
אֲחֻזָּתָ֔ם
are their possession
something seized, i.e., a possession (especially of land)
#10
בַּיֹּבֵ֑ל
in the year of 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
#11
כִּ֣י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#12
בָתֵּ֞י
for the houses
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#13
עָרֵ֣י
and the city
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
#14
הַלְוִיִּ֗ם
of the Levites
a levite or descendant of levi
#15
הִ֚וא
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
#16
אֲחֻזָּתָ֔ם
are their possession
something seized, i.e., a possession (especially of land)
#17
בְּת֖וֹךְ
among
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
#18
בְּנֵ֥י
the children
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#19
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

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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