Leviticus 25:53
Leviticus 25:53 in Multiple Translations
He shall be treated like a man hired from year to year, but a foreign owner must not rule over him harshly in your sight.
And as a yearly hired servant shall he be with him: and the other shall not rule with rigour over him in thy sight.
As a servant hired year by year shall he be with him: he shall not rule with rigor over him in thy sight.
And he will be with him as a servant working for payment year by year; his master is not to be cruel to him before your eyes.
They are to live with their foreign owner just like a paid worker, hired from year to year, but see to it that the owner doesn't treat him brutally.
He shalbe with him yeere by yeere as an hired seruant: he shall not rule cruelly ouer him in thy sight.
as an hireling, year by year, he is with him, and he doth not rule him with rigour before thine eyes.
As a servant hired year by year shall he be with him. He shall not rule with harshness over him in your sight.
And as a yearly hired servant shall he be with him: and the other shall not rule with rigor over him in thy sight.
His wages being allowed for which he served before: he shall not afflict him violently in thy sight.
During the years that he is working for the man who bought him, the man who bought him must treat him like he would treat a hired worker, and all of you must make sure that his owner does not treat him cruelly.
Berean Amplified Bible — Leviticus 25:53
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 25:53 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
כִּ/שְׂכִ֥יר
שָׁנָ֛ה
בְּ/שָׁנָ֖ה
יִהְיֶ֣ה
עִמּ֑/וֹ
לֹֽא
יִרְדֶּ֥/נּֽוּ
בְּ/פֶ֖רֶךְ
לְ/עֵינֶֽי/ךָ
כִּ/שְׂכִ֥יר
sâkîyr
H7916
hired
Prep | Adj
שָׁנָ֛ה
shâneh
H8141
year
N-fs
בְּ/שָׁנָ֖ה
shâneh
H8141
year
Prep | N-fs
יִהְיֶ֣ה
hâyâh
H1961
to be
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
עִמּ֑/וֹ
ʻim
H5973
with
Prep | Suff
לֹֽא
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
יִרְדֶּ֥/נּֽוּ
râdâh
H7287
to rule
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms | Suff
בְּ/פֶ֖רֶךְ
perek
H6531
severity
Prep | N-ms
לְ/עֵינֶֽי/ךָ
ʻayin
H5869
eye
Prep | N-cd | 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 25:53
כִּ/שְׂכִ֥יר
sâkîyr
H7916
"hired"
Prep | Adj
This Hebrew word describes a hired worker, someone paid by the day or year. In the Bible, hired laborers were common, and the KJV translates this word as hired or hireling.
Definition: 1) hired 1a) hired (of animal) 1b) hireling, hired labourer (subst) 1b1) mercenary
Usage: Occurs in 17 OT verses. KJV: hired (man, servant), hireling. See also: Exodus 12:45; Deuteronomy 15:18; Isaiah 16:14.
שָׁנָ֛ה
shâneh
H8141
"year"
N-fs
This word also means a year, like when Abraham was 100 years old in Genesis 21. It is used to describe a period of time, age, or a lifetime.
Definition: 1) year 1a) as division of time 1b) as measure of time 1c) as indication of age 1d) a lifetime (of years of life) Aramaic equivalent: she.nah (שְׁנָה "year" H8140)
Usage: Occurs in 647 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] whole age, [idiom] long, [phrase] old, year([idiom] -ly). See also: Genesis 1:14; Genesis 47:28; Numbers 7:35.
בְּ/שָׁנָ֖ה
shâneh
H8141
"year"
Prep | N-fs
This word also means a year, like when Abraham was 100 years old in Genesis 21. It is used to describe a period of time, age, or a lifetime.
Definition: 1) year 1a) as division of time 1b) as measure of time 1c) as indication of age 1d) a lifetime (of years of life) Aramaic equivalent: she.nah (שְׁנָה "year" H8140)
Usage: Occurs in 647 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] whole age, [idiom] long, [phrase] old, year([idiom] -ly). See also: Genesis 1:14; Genesis 47:28; Numbers 7:35.
יִהְיֶ֣ה
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
עִמּ֑/וֹ
ʻim
H5973
"with"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means with or together, like when God is with his people in Exodus 33:14-15. It's used to describe accompaniment or association, and can also mean against or beside. The word is used to convey a sense of relationship or proximity between people or things.
Definition: 1) with 1a) with 1b) against 1c) toward 1d) as long as
Usage: Occurs in 919 OT verses. KJV: accompanying, against, and, as ([idiom] long as), before, beside, by (reason of), for all, from (among, between), in, like, more than, of, (un-) to, with(-al). See also: Genesis 3:6; Exodus 21:14; Deuteronomy 29:11.
לֹֽא
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.
יִרְדֶּ֥/נּֽוּ
râdâh
H7287
"to rule"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms | Suff
This word means to have power or control over someone or something. It can also mean to scrape or crumble something, like scraping out a bowl.
Definition: 1) to rule, have dominion, dominate, tread down 1a) (Qal) to have dominion, rule, subjugate 1b) (Hiphil) to cause to dominate
Usage: Occurs in 25 OT verses. KJV: (come to, make to) have dominion, prevail against, reign, (bear, make to) rule,(-r, over), take. See also: Genesis 1:26; 2 Chronicles 8:10; Psalms 49:15.
בְּ/פֶ֖רֶךְ
perek
H6531
"severity"
Prep | N-ms
This Hebrew word means severity or harshness, like cruelty or rigor. It describes something or someone that is strict or unyielding. In the Bible, it is used to convey a sense of intensity or sternness.
Definition: harshness, severity, cruelty
Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: cruelty, rigour. See also: Exodus 1:13; Leviticus 25:46; Ezekiel 34:4.
לְ/עֵינֶֽי/ךָ
ʻayin
H5869
"eye"
Prep | N-cd | Suff
This word can mean a spring or fountain, but also refers to the eye or a source of something. It is often translated as affliction, outward appearance, or countenance, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : eye 1) eye 1a) eye 1a1) of physical eye 1a2) as showing mental qualities 1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 828 OT verses. KJV: affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves). See also: Genesis 3:5; Exodus 34:9; Deuteronomy 28:67.
Study Notes — Leviticus 25:53
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Redemption of Servants
51If many years remain, he must pay for his redemption in proportion to his purchase price.
52If only a few years remain until the Year of Jubilee, he is to calculate and pay his redemption according to his remaining years.
53He shall be treated like a man hired from year to year, but a foreign owner must not rule over him harshly in your sight.
54Even if he is not redeemed in any of these ways, he and his children shall be released in the Year of Jubilee. 55For the Israelites are My servants. They are My servants, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leviticus 25:46 | You may leave them to your sons after you to inherit as property; you can make them slaves for life. But as for your brothers, the Israelites, no man may rule harshly over his brother. |
| 2 | Leviticus 25:43 | You are not to rule over them harshly, but you shall fear your God. |
Leviticus 25:53 Summary
[This verse is saying that even though an Israelite may have sold himself into servitude, he should still be treated with respect and fairness, like a hired worker. This is because the Israelites are the servants of the Lord, and He cares for their well-being. As it says in Leviticus 25:55, 'For the Israelites are My servants, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.' This teaches us that God is a God of justice and mercy, who wants us to treat others with kindness and respect, just as He treats us.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to be treated like a man hired from year to year?
This means that the Israelite who has sold himself into servitude is to be treated with respect and fairness, with the understanding that his service is temporary, much like a hired worker (see Leviticus 25:39-40).
Why is it forbidden for a foreign owner to rule over an Israelite harshly?
This is because the Israelites are the servants of the Lord, and He is their protector and redeemer, as seen in Leviticus 25:55, which says, 'For the Israelites are My servants, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.'
How does this verse relate to the concept of the Year of Jubilee?
This verse is part of the larger context of the Year of Jubilee, which is a time of release and restoration for the Israelites, as described in Leviticus 25:8-55, where all Israelites are to be freed from their servitude and returned to their ancestral lands.
What does this verse teach us about God's character?
This verse teaches us that God is a God of justice, mercy, and compassion, who cares for the well-being of His people, as seen in Exodus 22:21-24, where He commands the Israelites to treat the foreigner and the poor with kindness and respect.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which I can treat others with respect and fairness, even if they are in a position of servitude or weakness?
- How can I apply the principle of temporary service to my own life, recognizing that my circumstances are not permanent?
- What does it mean for me to be a 'servant of the Lord', and how can I live out this identity in my daily life?
- How can I balance the need for justice and fairness with the need for mercy and compassion in my relationships with others?
Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 25:53
[And] as a yearly hired servant shall he be with him,.... Being redeemable every year, and upon his redemption might quit his master's service, as an hireling may; and the price of his redemption to
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Leviticus 25:53
Thou shalt not suffer this to be done, but whether thou art a magistrate, or a private person, thou shalt take care according to thy capacity to get it remedied.
Ellicott's Commentary on Leviticus 25:53
(53) And as a yearly hired servant shall he be.—Better, As a yearly servant, &c, without the “and,” which is not in the original, and is not wanted. That is, as long as he is in service his master must not treat him like a slave, but is to behave to him as if he were simply one who hires out his services from year to year, and who, after a short time, will be his own master again. And the other shall not rule with rigour over him.—Better, he shall not rule, &c, that is, the heathen master. The words “and the other” are not in the original, and the sense of the passage is quite plain without them. In thy sight.—The Israelite is here admonished not to be a tacit spectator of the cruel treatment of his brother Israelite by a heathen master, and though he is not to resent in the same way in which the Lawgiver himself resented it (Exodus 2:11-12), still he is to remonstrate with the cruel Gentile, and invoke the protection of the powers that be.
Cambridge Bible on Leviticus 25:53
53. in thy sight] whenever thou art cognizant of it.
Whedon's Commentary on Leviticus 25:53
53. As a yearly hired servant — He shall be treated mercifully, and all his rights shall be respected as if serving for wages.