Leviticus 25 - Introduction

INTRODUCTION TO LEVITICUS 25

In this chapter the Israelites are directed, when come into the land of Canaan, to observe every seventh year as a sabbatical year, in which there was to be no tillage of the land, and yet there would be a sufficiency for man and beast, Leviticus 25:1; and every fiftieth year as a year of jubilee, in which also there was to be no tillage of the land, and every man was to return to his possession or estate, which had been sold to another any time before this, Leviticus 25:8; and a promise of safety and plenty in the seventh year is made to encourage the observance of it, Leviticus 25:18; and several laws and rules are delivered out concerning the sale of lands, the redemption of them, and their return to their original owner in the year of jubilee,

Leviticus 25:23; and the sale of houses, and the redemption of them, and the difference between those in walled cities and those in villages, with respect thereunto, Leviticus 25:29; and also concerning the houses of the cities of the Levites, and the fields of the suburbs of them, Leviticus 25:32; to which are added some instructions about relieving decayed, persons, and lending and giving to them, without taking usury of them, Leviticus 25:34; and other laws concerning the release of such Israelites as had sold themselves for servants to the Israelites, in the year of jubilee, since none but Heathens were to be bondmen and bondmaids for ever, Leviticus 25:39; and of such who were sold to proselytes, Leviticus 25:47.