Leviticus 25:23
Leviticus 25:23 in Multiple Translations
The land must not be sold permanently, because it is Mine, and you are but foreigners and residents with Me.
¶ The land shall not be sold for ever: for the land is mine; for ye are strangers and sojourners with me.
And the land shall not be sold in perpetuity; for the land is mine: for ye are strangers and sojourners with me.
No exchange of land may be for ever, for the land is mine, and you are as my guests, living with me for a time.
Land must not be permanently sold, because it really belongs to me. To me you are only foreigners and travelers passing through.
Also the lande shall not be solde to be cut off from the familie: for the land is mine, and ye be but strangers and soiourners with me.
'And the land is not sold — to extinction, for the land [is] Mine, for sojourners and settlers [are] ye with Me;
“‘The land shall not be sold in perpetuity, for the land is mine; for you are strangers and live as foreigners with me.
The land shall not be sold for ever; for the land is mine, for ye are strangers and sojourners with me.
The land also shall not be sold for ever: because it is mine, and you are strangers and sojourners with me.
‘You must not sell any of your land to belong to someone else permanently, because the land is not yours, it; is really mine, and you are only living on it temporarily and ◄farming/taking care of► it for me.
Berean Amplified Bible — Leviticus 25:23
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Leviticus 25:23 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/הָ/אָ֗רֶץ
לֹ֤א
תִמָּכֵר֙
לִ/צְמִתֻ֔ת
כִּי
לִ֖/י
הָ/אָ֑רֶץ
כִּֽי
גֵרִ֧ים
וְ/תוֹשָׁבִ֛ים
אַתֶּ֖ם
עִמָּדִֽ/י
וְ/הָ/אָ֗רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
land
Conj | Art | N-cs
לֹ֤א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
תִמָּכֵר֙
mâkar
H4376
to sell
V-Niphal-Imperf-3fs
לִ/צְמִתֻ֔ת
tsᵉmîythuth
H6783
finality
Prep | N-fs
כִּי
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
לִ֖/י
Prep | Suff
הָ/אָ֑רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
land
Art | N-cs
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
גֵרִ֧ים
gêr
H1616
sojourner
N-mp
וְ/תוֹשָׁבִ֛ים
tôwshâb
H8453
sojourner
Conj | N-mp
אַתֶּ֖ם
ʼattâh
H859
you(m.s.)
Pron
עִמָּדִֽ/י
ʻimmâd
H5978
with me
Prep | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Leviticus 25:23
וְ/הָ/אָ֗רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
"land"
Conj | Art | N-cs
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
לֹ֤א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
תִמָּכֵר֙
mâkar
H4376
"to sell"
V-Niphal-Imperf-3fs
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to sell something or someone, like a merchant selling goods or a father selling his daughter into marriage. It appears in books like Genesis and Exodus. The word can also mean to surrender or give something up.
Definition: 1) to sell 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to sell 1a2) seller (participle) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be sold 1b2) to sell oneself 1b3) to be given over to death 1c) (Hithpael) to sell oneself
Usage: Occurs in 74 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, sell (away, -er, self). See also: Genesis 25:31; Deuteronomy 32:30; Psalms 44:13.
לִ/צְמִתֻ֔ת
tsᵉmîythuth
H6783
"finality"
Prep | N-fs
This word means finality or completion, referring to something that is perpetual or everlasting. It is often used with a prepositional prefix to mean to extinction or forever. The KJV translates it as ever.
Definition: completion, finality, in perpetuity
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: ever. See also: Leviticus 25:23; Leviticus 25:30.
כִּי
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
לִ֖/י
""
Prep | Suff
הָ/אָ֑רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
"land"
Art | N-cs
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
גֵרִ֧ים
gêr
H1616
"sojourner"
N-mp
A sojourner is a foreigner or temporary resident, lacking inherited rights, but often given concessions in Israel. This term appears in the Bible to describe outsiders living among God's people.
Definition: 1) sojourner 1a) a temporary inhabitant, a newcomer lacking inherited rights 1b) of foreigners in Israel, though conceded rights
Usage: Occurs in 83 OT verses. KJV: alien, sojourner, stranger. See also: Genesis 15:13; Deuteronomy 10:19; Psalms 39:13.
וְ/תוֹשָׁבִ֛ים
tôwshâb
H8453
"sojourner"
Conj | N-mp
Tishbe refers to a resident alien or foreigner, as seen in the home of Elijah, who was known as the Tishbite. This term appears in various KJV translations, including foreigner and stranger. It signifies someone living outside their native land.
Definition: sojourner, stranger
Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: foreigner, inhabitant, sojourner, stranger. See also: Genesis 23:4; Leviticus 25:40; Psalms 39:13.
אַתֶּ֖ם
ʼattâh
H859
"you(m.s.)"
Pron
You is the translation of a Hebrew word used to address someone directly, like when God says you to someone in the Bible. It can be singular or plural, and is often translated as thee, thou, or ye.
Definition: you (second pers. sing. masc.)
Usage: Occurs in 997 OT verses. KJV: thee, thou, ye, you. See also: Genesis 3:11; Exodus 23:9; Deuteronomy 14:1.
עִמָּדִֽ/י
ʻimmâd
H5978
"with me"
Prep | Suff
Means 'with me', showing accompaniment, like in Psalm 23:4 where David says God is with him even in difficult times.
Definition: with A grammatical form of im (עִם "with" H5973A) § 1) with
Usage: Occurs in 44 OT verses. KJV: against, by, from, [phrase] me, [phrase] mine, of, [phrase] that I take, unto, upon, with(-in.) See also: Genesis 3:12; 1 Samuel 20:28; Psalms 23:4.
Study Notes — Leviticus 25:23
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Leviticus 25:23 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 25:23
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Leviticus 25:23
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Leviticus 25:23
- Trapp's Commentary on Leviticus 25:23
- Ellicott's Commentary on Leviticus 25:23
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Leviticus 25:23
- Cambridge Bible on Leviticus 25:23
- Barnes' Notes on Leviticus 25:23
- Whedon's Commentary on Leviticus 25:23
- Sermons on Leviticus 25:23
Context — The Law of Redemption
21But I will send My blessing upon you in the sixth year, so that the land will yield a crop sufficient for three years.
22While you are sowing in the eighth year, you will be eating from the previous harvest, until the ninth year’s harvest comes in.
23The land must not be sold permanently, because it is Mine, and you are but foreigners and residents with Me.
24Thus for every piece of property you possess, you must provide for the redemption of the land. 25If your brother becomes impoverished and sells some of his property, his nearest of kin may come and redeem what his brother has sold.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Peter 2:11 | Beloved, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from the desires of the flesh, which war against your soul. |
| 2 | Psalms 39:12 | Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry for help; do not be deaf to my weeping. For I am a foreigner dwelling with You, a stranger like all my fathers. |
| 3 | Ezekiel 48:14 | They must not sell or exchange any of it, and they must not transfer this best part of the land, for it is holy to the LORD. |
| 4 | Psalms 24:1 | The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof, the world and all who dwell therein. |
| 5 | 1 Chronicles 29:15 | For we are foreigners and strangers in Your presence, as were all our forefathers. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope. |
| 6 | Exodus 19:5 | Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine. |
| 7 | Deuteronomy 32:43 | Rejoice, O heavens, with Him, and let all God’s angels worship Him. Rejoice, O nations, with His people; for He will avenge the blood of His children. He will take vengeance on His adversaries and repay those who hate Him; He will cleanse His land and His people. |
| 8 | Hosea 9:3 | They will not remain in the land of the LORD; Ephraim will return to Egypt and eat unclean food in Assyria. |
| 9 | Leviticus 25:10 | So you are to consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty in the land for all its inhabitants. It shall be your Jubilee, when each of you is to return to his property and to his clan. |
| 10 | 2 Chronicles 7:20 | then I will uproot Israel from the soil I have given them, and I will banish from My presence this temple I have sanctified for My Name. I will make it an object of scorn and ridicule among all the peoples. |
Leviticus 25:23 Summary
This verse reminds us that everything belongs to God, and we are just temporary inhabitants of the land He has given us. Just like the Israelites, we are called to be good stewards of the resources God has provided, recognizing that they are not our own, as seen in Matthew 25:14-30. By acknowledging God's ownership, we can learn to trust Him more fully and use the resources He has given us for His glory. As we reflect on this verse, we can ask ourselves how we can better acknowledge God's ownership in our daily lives, and how we can use our resources to honor Him, just as the Israelites were called to do in Leviticus 25:23.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that the land belongs to God?
This verse emphasizes God's ownership of the land, as stated in Leviticus 25:23, which is a reminder that everything belongs to Him, as seen in Psalm 24:1, which says 'The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world and all who live in it.'
Why are the Israelites considered foreigners and residents with God?
The Israelites are considered foreigners and residents with God because they are living in the land that God has given them, but they do not have permanent ownership of it, as stated in Leviticus 25:23, and this is a reminder of their dependence on God, as seen in Deuteronomy 29:10-13.
How does this verse relate to the concept of stewardship?
This verse highlights the importance of stewardship, as the Israelites are entrusted with the care of the land, but they do not own it, as seen in Leviticus 25:23, and this principle is also seen in Genesis 1:28, where God gives humanity the responsibility to care for the earth.
What is the significance of the land not being sold permanently?
The land not being sold permanently, as stated in Leviticus 25:23, ensures that the Israelites do not forget that the land belongs to God and that they are only temporary inhabitants, and this principle is also seen in 1 Chronicles 29:11, where God is acknowledged as the owner of everything.
Reflection Questions
- What does it mean for me to acknowledge God's ownership of everything in my life, and how can I apply this principle in my daily life?
- In what ways can I be a good steward of the resources that God has given me, and how can I ensure that I am using them for His glory?
- How can I balance my desire for security and ownership with the reality that everything belongs to God, and what does this mean for my trust in Him?
- What are some ways that I can cultivate a sense of dependence on God, recognizing that I am a foreigner and resident with Him, just like the Israelites?
Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 25:23
The land shall not be sold for ever,.... That is, the land of Israel; the meaning is, any part of it, for that the whole might be sold or disposed of at once is not to be supposed, but anyone part of
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Leviticus 25:23
The land shall not be sold for ever: for the land is mine; for ye are strangers and sojourners with me. The land shall not be sold for ever - or, 'be quite cut off,' as the margin better renders it.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Leviticus 25:23
For ever, or, absolutely and properly, so as to become the propriety of the buyer; or to the extermination or utter cutting off, to wit, of the seller, from all hopes and possibility of redemption. For the land is mine; procured for you by my power, given to you by my mere grace and bounty, and the right of propriety reserved by me, and to be disposed of by you only to such persons and in such manner as I shall have ordained. Sojourners with me, i.e. in my land or houses: thus he is said to sojourn with another that dwells in his house. Thus the poor decayed Israelites and the strangers are said to live with them, i.e. with the other Israelites, to wit, in the land or houses here, ,36,40,44. Or, before me, in my sight, or in my account. Howsoever in your own or other men’ s opinions you pass for lords and proprietors, yet in truth, according to which my judgment always is, you are but strangers and sojourners, not to possess the land for ever, but only for a season, and to leave it to such as I have appointed for it.
Trapp's Commentary on Leviticus 25:23
Leviticus 25:23 The land shall not be sold for ever: for the land [is] mine; for ye [are] strangers and sojourners with me.Ver. 23. The land is mine.] See Leviticus 25:2.
Ellicott's Commentary on Leviticus 25:23
(23) The land shall not be sold for ever.—That is, no plot of the land of Israel must be absolutely alienated from the original proprietor, who has been driven by poverty to sell his patrimony. We have here a resumption of the laws relating to the sale and purchase of land, which have already been briefly stated in Leviticus 25:14-17. Having been interrupted by the insertion of the Divine promise with regard to the sabbatical year (Leviticus 25:20-22), the legislation now proceeds with more directions about the limited sale of land. For the land is mine.—The reason for this prohibition absolutely to cut off the patrimony from the family, is that God claims to be the supreme owner of the land (Exodus 15:17; Isaiah 14:2; Isaiah 14:25; Jeremiah 2:5; Psalms 10:16), and as the Lord of the soil He prescribes conditions on which he allotted it to the different tribes of Israel. Ye are strangers and sojourners with me.—God has not only helped the Israelites to conquer the land of Canaan, but has selected it as His own dwelling-place, and erected His sanctuary in the midst of it (Exodus 15:13; Numbers 35:34). He therefore is enthroned in it as Lord of the soil, and the Israelites are simply His tenants at will (Leviticus 14:34; Leviticus 20:24; Leviticus 23:10; Numbers 13:2; Numbers 15:2), and as such will have to quit it if they disobey His commandments (Leviticus 18:28; Leviticus 20:22; Leviticus 26:33; Deuteronomy 28:63). For this reason they are accounted as strangers and sojourners, and hence have no right absolutely to sell that which is not theirs.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Leviticus 25:23
Verse 23. The land shall not be sold for ever - the land is mine] As God in a miraculous manner gave them possession of this land, they were therefore to consider themselves merely as tenants to him; and on this ground he, as the great landholder or lord of the soil, prescribes to them all the conditions on which they shall hold it. This one circumstance was peculiarly favourable to their advancement in religion, in righteousness, and true holiness; for feeling that they had nothing which they could call their own upon earth, they must frequently, by this, be put in mind of the necessity of having a permanent dwelling in the heavenly inheritance, and of that preparation without which it could not be possessed.
Cambridge Bible on Leviticus 25:23
23. A resumption of the Jubile regulation (after the interruption of Lev 25:18-22) providing that the land was not to be alienated beyond the next Jubile.
Barnes' Notes on Leviticus 25:23
These verses express the principle on which the law of Jubilee, as it regards the land, was based. The land belonged to Yahweh, and it was He who allotted it among the families of Israel for their use.
Whedon's Commentary on Leviticus 25:23
THE JUBILEE YEAR — THE OF LAND, Leviticus 25:23-28. 23. The land shall not be sold for ever — The usufruct only could be sold. In their deeds of conveyance the phrase “to him and to his heirs forever” had no place.
Sermons on Leviticus 25:23
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Whats Wrong With the Gospel - Part 3 by Keith Green | In the video, the preacher emphasizes the importance of prioritizing plants and nature. He mentions that living in mansions and exceeding regular limits is not allowed, and encoura |
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(The Book of Ruth) 2. Boaz - the Kinsman by Roy Hession | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the power of Jesus to redeem and forgive our failures. They emphasize that Jesus' power goes beyond just dealing with our guilt, but also ex |
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(Following the Footsteps of Christ) Redemption by Willie Mullan | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the concept of bondage and freedom in the context of the grace of God. He references Galatians chapter 4 and Titus 2 verse 11 to emphasize t |
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Jubilee - Part 1 by G.W. North | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of not relying solely on personal testimonies or experiences, but rather on the wonders of God. He highlights the need for a |
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41 - Preparation Questions for North Korea Opening by Ben Torrey | In this sermon, Ben Torrey discusses the importance of preparing for the opening of North Korea through the Prepared People Organization. He emphasizes the need to understand the d |
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46 - Questions on the Church Response to the Opening of North Korea by Ben Torrey | In this sermon transcript, the speaker discusses the importance of addressing questions related to the Church's response to the opening of North Korea. They emphasize the need for |
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Preparing the Way of the Lord in Our Church Life by Stewart Ruch | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing that our lives are a loan from God. He encourages Christians to take regular breaks from the busyness of life a |