Leviticus 25:48 — Word Study
WLCאַחֲרֵ֣י נִמְכַּ֔ר גְּאֻלָּ֖ה תִּהְיֶה־ לּ֑וֹ אֶחָ֥ד מֵאֶחָ֖יו יִגְאָלֶֽנּוּ׃
BSAhe retainshâyâh▸ [keeps, holds onto] ◂the right of redemptiongᵉʼullâh [to be bought back, freed] afterʼachar he has sold himselfmâkar■ [given himself over, transferred ownership] Oneʼechâd [a single, unique] of his brothersʼâch [male siblings, close relatives] may redeem himgâʼal▸ [buy back, free]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| אַחֲרֵ֣י | after | Prep |
| נִמְכַּ֔ר | he has sold himself | Verb, Niphal, perfect third person masculine singular |
| גְּאֻלָּ֖ה | a right of redemption | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
| תִּהְיֶה־ | it will belong | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person feminine singular |
| לּ֑וֹ | to him | Preposition, suffix |
| אֶחָ֥ד | one | Adj |
| מֵאֶחָ֖יו | of brothers his | Preposition, noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| יִגְאָלֶֽנּוּ׃ | he will redeem him | Verb qal imperfect third person masculine singular, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | he retains the right of redemption after he has sold himself. One of his brothers may redeem him: |
| KJV | After that he is sold he may be redeemed again; one of his brethren may redeem him: |
| ASV | after that he is sold he may be redeemed: one of his brethren may redeem him; |
| YLT | after he hath been sold, there is a right of redemption to him; one of his brethren doth redeem him, |
| WEB | after he is sold he may be redeemed. One of his brothers may redeem him; |
| BBE | After he has given himself he has the right to be made free, for a price, by one of his brothers, |
Where they part company is נִמְכַּ֔ר — see How Translations Differ.
One main clause with two subordinate phrases providing context and detail about the act of redemption.
4 commentators on this verse
Gill, Ellicott, Cambridge, Whedon & more — read them ›
clause
subjectגְּאֻלָּה
verbמָכַר
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Leviticus 25:48
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Laws of Redemptiongenerated
Leviticus 25:48 discusses the right of redemption for an Israelite who has sold himself into servitude. This law emphasizes the importance of family ties and responsibilities, allowing a close relative to redeem him. Such provisions are crucial for maintaining the integrity of family and property within the community, as seen in other related passages like Leviticus 25:25–35 and Nehemiah 5:5–8.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leviticus 25:25–35 | If your brother becomes impoverished and sells some of his property, his nearest of kin may come and redeem what his brother has sold. |
| 2 | Nehemiah 5:5–8 | We and our children are just like our countrymen and their children, yet we are subjecting our sons and daughters to slavery. Some of our daughters are already enslaved, but we are powerless to redeem them because our fields and vineyards belong to others.” |
| 3 | Galatians 4:4–5 | But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, |
| 4 | Hebrews 2:11–13 | For both the One who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 4 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — גְּאֻלָּ֖ה, ge.'u.Lahgenerated
The Hebrew word גְּאֻלָּה (*ge'ulah*) refers to the concept of redemption, particularly in familial contexts. It denotes the right to buy back property or free a relative from bondage, reflecting kinship ties and responsibilities.
This noun is derived from the root that conveys the act of redeeming, which is essential in the societal and religious fabric of ancient Israel. The parsing indicates it is a feminine singular noun, emphasizing its role in the context of family and property rights.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb תִּהְיֶה־, it will belong, governs the structure of the verse, linking the subject and the action of redemption. The main clause is followed by a prepositional phrase and a noun phrase that provide additional context.
The word order places emphasis on the right of redemption, highlighting its importance in the social structure. The subject גְּאֻלָּ֖ה is followed by the verb, creating a clear relationship between the right and the act of redemption.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates גְּאֻלָּ֖ה as λύτρωσις, which means 'redemption' or 'release'. This choice emphasizes the act of freeing someone from bondage, aligning closely with the Hebrew meaning.
The term used in the Septuagint reflects a broader understanding of redemption, suggesting a more general application beyond familial ties, which may indicate an interpretative expansion from the original Hebrew context.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Leviticus 25:48 explains that if an Israelite sells himself, he has the right to be redeemed by a close relative. This law ensures that family members can support one another and maintain their heritage, reflecting the importance of kinship in Israelite society.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
A right of redemption allows a person to be bought back or freed from servitude, emphasizing the importance of family responsibility.
A close relative, such as a brother, can redeem someone who has sold themselves, as outlined in this verse.
Redemption is crucial for maintaining family integrity and ensuring that individuals do not remain in servitude permanently, reflecting God's concern for justice.
This law highlights the importance of kinship and community support, ensuring that family members look out for one another.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- How can I apply the principle of redemption in my own life and relationships?
- What responsibilities do I have towards my family and community in times of need?
- In what ways can I support those who are struggling, similar to the concept of a kinsman-redeemer?
- How does understanding the right of redemption enhance my view of justice and mercy?
Commentators on this verse — 4 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Leviticus 25:48 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAfter that he is sold he may be redeemed again,.... Though an Heathen, sold to an Israelite, was to be a bondman for ever, and could not be released by the year of jubilee, yet an Israelite sold to
Read John Gill on Leviticus 25 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(48) He may be redeemed again.—The law which applies to a heathen who sold himself to a Hebrew is reversed in this case. Whilst the heathen cannot be redeemed, and is to remain a bondman for ever, the Israelite who sells himself to a heathen may be redeemed. Indeed, according to the interpretation which obtained during the second Temple, this passage enjoins it upon his relations and the congregation to redeem him as soon as possible. Hence the ancient Chaldee Version translates it, “his redemption must be effected forthwith.”
Read Charles John Ellicott on Leviticus 25 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges47–55. The case of Israelites who are slaves of resident foreigners (H but with a large admixture of P) Such a person might be redeemed, or, if he acquired the means, might redeem himself, the price of redemption to be calculated according to the number of years intervening before the Jubile, as in the case of the redemption of land (Leviticus 25:27). In any case the bondage was limited by the law of the Jubile.
Read Cambridge on Leviticus 25 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible48. He may be redeemed again — At any time.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Leviticus 25 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
he retains the right of redemption after he has sold himself. One of his brothers may redeem him:
after he is sold he may be redeemed. One of his brothers may redeem him;
he retains the right of redemption after he has sold himself. One of his brothers may redeem him:
after he has sold himself he retains a right of redemption. One of his brothers may redeem him,
Tyndale line
After that he is sold he may be redeemed again; one of his brethren may redeem him:
after that he is sold he may be redeemed: one of his brethren may redeem him;
after that he is sold he may be redeemed; one of his brethren may redeem him:
After that he is sold he may be redeemed again; one of his brethren may redeem him:
After that he is solde, he may be bought out: one of his brethren may bye him out,
Strictly literal
after that he is sold there shall be right of redemption for him; one of his brethren may redeem him.
after he hath been sold, there is a right of redemption to him; one of his brethren doth redeem him,
after he has been sold, there is a right of redemption for him; one of his brothers redeems him,
After he hath sold himself shall he have the right of redemption; one of his brethren may redeem him.
after your fellow Israelite has been bought, he may be bought back. Someone in his family may redeem him.
From the Latin
After the sale he may be redeemed. He that will of his brethren shall redeem him:
Simplified
they still have the right of being bought back after the sale. A member of their family can buy them back—
After he has given himself he has the right to be made free, for a price, by one of his brothers,
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text is supported by the Samaritan Pentateuch, which agrees word for word. The Septuagint matches seven of the eight words, indicating a close alignment with the Hebrew text, while the Dead Sea Scrolls show some restoration, confirming the core message of redemption.
אַחֲרֵ֣י נִמְכַּ֔ר גְּאֻלָּ֖ה תִּהְיֶה־ לּ֑וֹ אֶחָ֥ד מֵאֶחָ֖יו יִגְאָלֶֽנּוּ׃
7 of the 8 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
אחרי נמכר גאלה תהיה לו אחד מאחיו יגאלנו
Agrees with the Masoretic Text here, word for word.
[אחרי] [נמכר] [גאלה] [תהיה] [ל׳ו] [אחד] [מאחי׳ו] יגאל׳נו
nothing on the leather here — 1 partly restored, 7 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Leviticus 25:48
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word אַחַר (*achar*) primarily denotes the concept of 'after' or 'behind' in both spatial and temporal contexts. It functions as a substantive, adverb, preposition, and conjunction, indicating a following part or time. The related form אַחֲרַי (*acharai*) refers to a person who turns backwards. There is a reference to Proverbs 28:23 in relation to the latter.
אַחַר prop. subst. the hinder or following part
adv.
of place, behind
of time, afterwards
prep.
of place, behind, after
of time, after
conj. after that.
H310a אַחַר prop. subst. the hinder or following part . adv. . of place, behind
. of time, afterwards
. prep. . of place, behind, after
. of time, after
. conj. after that.
H310b אַחֲרַי a man that turneth backwards.
310 'achar akh-ar'
from 309; properly, the hind part; generally used as an
adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses):--after
(that, -ward), again, at, away from, back (from, -side),
behind, beside, by, follow (after, -ing), forasmuch, from,
hereafter, hinder end, + out (over) live, + persecute,
posterity, pursuing, remnant, seeing, since, thence(-forth),
when, with.
see HEBREW for 0309
אַחַר (a.char) — after.
1) after the following part, behind (of place), hinder, afterwards (of time)
1a) as an adverb
1a1) behind (of place)
1a2) afterwards (of time)
1b) as a preposition
1b1) behind, after (of place)
1b2) after (of time)
1b3) besides
1c) as a conjunction
1c) after that
1d) as a substantive
1d1) hinder part
1e) with other prepositions
1e1) from behind
1e2) from following after
אַחֲרַי (a.cha.ray) — backwards.
backwards (of a man that turns backwards)
Prep — PrepHAcmpc
מָכַר (makar) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to sell.' It encompasses various forms, including selling merchandise, giving a daughter in marriage, or even selling oneself into slavery. The word appears in different grammatical forms, such as Qal (to sell), Niphal (to be sold), and Hithpael (to sell oneself). It reflects both literal and figurative senses of selling.
מָכַר vb. sell
Qal sell
Niph. be sold
Hithp. sell oneself as slave
base
H4376 מָכַר sell
4376 makar maw-kar'
a primitive root; to sell, literally (as merchandise, a
daughter in marriage, into slavery), or figuratively (to
surrender):--X at all, sell (away, -er, self).
מָכַר (ma.khar) — to sell.
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
V-Niphal-Perf-3ms — Verb · Niphal · perfect third person masculine singularHVNp3ms
גְּאֻלָּה (g'ulah) refers to concepts of redemption, kinship, and the rights associated with redeeming property or family members. It is a feminine passive participle derived from a related root, encompassing meanings like the price of redemption and kinship ties. The entries highlight its use in contexts related to familial and property redemption.
גְּאֻלָּה 14 n.f. kin(?), redemption
kin
redemption, of field
right of redemption
price of redemption
base
H1353 גְּאֻלָּה kin(?), redemption . kin
. redemption, of field
. right of redemption
. price of redemption
1353 gullah gheh-ool-law'
feminine passive participle of 1350; redemption (including
the right and the object); by implication,
relationship:--kindred, redeem, redemption, right.
see HEBREW for 01350
גְּאֻלָּה (ge.ul.lah) — redemption.
1) kindred, redemption, right of redemption, price of redemption
1a) kin, kindred
1b) redemption
1c) right of redemption
1d) price of redemption, redemption price
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
Redemption
The purchase back of something that had been lost, by the payment of a ransom. The Greek word so rendered is apolutrosis, a word occurring nine times in Scripture, and always with the idea of a ransom or price paid, i.e., redemption by a lutron (see Matt. 20:28; Mark 10:45). There are instances in the LXX. Version of the Old Testament of the use of lutron in man’s relation to man (Lev. 19:20; 25:51; Ex. 21:30; Num. 35:31, 32; Isa. 45:13; Prov. 6:35), and in the same sense of man’s relation to God (
→ Of persons or property Le 25:25-34; 27:2-13,14-33; Ru 4:3-10
→ Redemption money paid to priests Nu 3:46-51
→ Of the firstborn
See FIRSTBORN
→ Of land
See JUBILEE
The Hebrew word הָיָה (hayah) is a primitive root meaning to exist or become, and it encompasses a range of meanings including to happen, occur, and come to pass. It is often used in narrative contexts, particularly in phrases like "and it came to pass." The word can also denote a state of being or existence, and it appears frequently in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
הָיָה 3570 vb. fall out, come to pass, become, be
Qal
Fall out, happen
occur, take place, come about, come to pass
esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass
וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)
rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה
less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)
Come into being, become
abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come
sq. prep.
become
sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)
sq. pred. adj.
become like
sq. pred. לְ pers.
sq. לְ pred.
oft. c. לְ pred. לְ pers.
with עַל and לְ
sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of
Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming)
exist, be in existence
abide, remain, continue
with word of locality, be in or at a place, be situated, stand, lie
as copula, joining subj. & pred.
H1961 הָיָה fall out, come to pass, become, be .. . . Fall out, happen
. occur, take place, come about, come to pass
. esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass . . וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)
. rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה
. less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)
. Come into being, become . . abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come
. sq. prep.
. become . sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)
. sq. pred. adj.
. become like
. sq. pred. + לְ pers.
. sq. לְ pred.
. oft. c. לְ pred. + לְ pers.
. with עַל and לְ
. sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of
. Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming) . exist, be in existence
. abide, remain, continue
1961 hayah haw-yaw
a primitive root (compare 1933); to exist, i.e. be or become,
come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or
auxiliary):--beacon, X altogether, be(-come), accomplished,
committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint,
fall, + follow, happen, X have, last, pertain, quit
(one-)self, require, X use.
see HEBREW for 01933
הָיָה (ha.yah) — to be.
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
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person feminine singularHVqi3fs
וֹ (o) — him.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 3rd person masculine singular
HRd/Sp3ms — Preposition · suffixHRd/Sp3ms
אֶחָד (echad) means 'one' and is derived from a numeral. It encompasses meanings such as each, every, a certain, and can serve as an indefinite article. It is also used as an ordinal to denote 'first' and appears in various combinations, including eleven. The entries consistently emphasize its numerical and qualitative aspects.
אֶחָד 972 adj.num. one
one
= each, every
= a certain
= indef. art.
only, & (fem.) once
one … another, one … the other
as ordinal first
in combin.
base
H259 אֶחָד one . one
. = each, every
. = a certain
. = indef. art.
. only, & (fem.) once
. one … another, one … the other
. as ordinal first
. in combin.
259 'echad ekh-awd'
a numeral from 258; properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an
ordinal) first:--a, alike, alone, altogether, and,
any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-)ly, each (one), +
eleven, every, few, first, + highway, a man, once, one, only,
other, some, together,
see HEBREW for 0258
אֶחָד (e.chad) — one.
1) one (number)
1a) one (number)
1b) each, every
1c) a certain
1d) an (indefinite article)
1e) only, once, once for all
1f) one...another, the one...the other, one after another, one by one
1g) first
1h) eleven (in combination), eleventh (ordinal)
Adj — AdjHAcfsa
wun.
See NUMBER.
אָח (ach) means 'brother' and encompasses a broad range of relationships, including literal siblings, half-brothers, and metaphorical kinship. It can refer to any male relative or compatriot, and it may also imply resemblance or reciprocal relationships. The term is used in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, highlighting both familial and figurative connections.
אָח 630 n.m. brother
brother, born of same mother (& father)
indef. = relative
fig. of resemblance
in phr. one … another
base
H251 אָח brother
251 'ach awkh
a primitive word; a brother (used in the widest sense of
literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance
(like 1)):--another, brother(-ly); kindred, like, other.
Compare also the proper names beginning with "Ah-" or "Ahi-".
see HEBREW for 01
אָח (ach) — brother: male-sibling.
: male-sibling
1) brother
1a) brother of same parents
1b) half-brother (same father)
1c) relative, kinship, same tribe
1d) each to the other (reciprocal relationship)
1e) (fig.) of resemblance
אָח (ach) — brother: male-relative.
: male-relative
1) brother
1a) brother of same parents
1b) half-brother (same father)
1c) relative, kinship, same tribe
1d) each to the other (reciprocal relationship)
1e) (fig.) of resemblance
אָח (ach) — brother: compatriot.
: compatriot
1) brother
1a) brother of same parents
1b) half-brother (same father)
1c) relative, kinship, same tribe
1d) each to the other (reciprocal relationship)
1e) (fig.) of resemblance
Prep | N-mp | Suff — Preposition · noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHR/Ncmpc/Sp3ms
גָּאַל (ga'al) is a Hebrew verb meaning to redeem, often in the context of acting as a kinsman-redeemer. It encompasses various forms of redemption, including buying back property, marrying a relative's widow, and delivering individuals or Israel from bondage or exile. The related noun גְּאוּלַי (geulai) signifies the concept of redemption itself.
גָּאַל vb. redeem, act as kinsman
Qal
act as kinsman, do the part of next of kin
redeem, by payment of value assessed
redeem, with God as subj. implying personal relationship
H1350a גָּאַל redeem, act as kinsman .. act as kinsman, do the part of next of kin
. redeem, by payment of value assessed
. redeem, with God as subj. implying personal relationship
.. refl. redeem oneself
. pass. be redeemed
H1350b גְּאוּלַי n. abstr. redemption
1350 ga'al gaw-al'
a primitive root, to redeem (according to the Oriental law of
kinship), i.e. to be the next of kin (and as such to buy back
a relative's property, marry his widow, etc.):--X in any wise,
X at all, avenger, deliver, (do, perform the part of near,
next) kinsfolk(-man), purchase, ransom, redeem(-er), revenger.
גָּאַל (ga.al) — to redeem: redeem.
: redeem
1) to redeem, act as kinsman-redeemer, avenge, revenge, ransom, do the part of a kinsman
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to act as kinsman, do the part of next of kin, act as kinsman-redeemer
1a1a) by marrying brother's widow to beget a child for him, to redeem from slavery, to redeem land, to exact vengeance
1a2) to redeem (by payment)
1a3) to redeem (with God as subject)
1a3a) individuals from death
1a3b) Israel from Egyptian bondage
1a3c) Israel from exile
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to redeem oneself
1b2) to be redeemed
גְּאוּלַי (ge.u.lay) — redemption.
redemption
גָּאַל (ga.al) — to redeem: avenge.
: avenge
1) to redeem, act as kinsman-redeemer, avenge, revenge, ransom, do the part of a kinsman
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to act as kinsman, do the part of next of kin, act as kinsman-redeemer
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms | Suff — Verb qal imperfect third person masculine singular · suffixHVqi3ms/Sp3ms