What does Leviticus 25:39 mean?
"¶ And if thy brother that dwelleth by thee be waxen poor, and be sold unto thee; thou shalt not compel him to serve as a bondservant:" - Leviticus 25:39
Leviticus 25:39 in the King James Version of the Bible reads: "And if thy brother that dwelleth by thee be waxen poor, and be sold unto thee; thou shalt not compel him to serve as a bondservant." This verse is part of the larger context of Leviticus 25, which discusses the laws regarding the Sabbath Year and the Year of Jubilee.
The verse speaks to the treatment of a fellow Israelite who has fallen on hard times and has to sell himself into servitude to pay off debts or provide for his family. It puts forth the commandment that the Israelites should not treat their fellow brothers and sisters as slaves or bondservants, but rather with compassion and mercy.
One of the key themes in this verse is social justice. The Israelites were commanded to care for the poor and vulnerable in their midst, and to ensure that they were not exploited or mistreated. By prohibiting the compelling of a poor brother to serve as a bondservant, the verse emphasizes the importance of treating others with dignity and respect, regardless of their social or economic status. This theme of social justice is consistent with other biblical teachings that stress the importance of caring for the marginalized and oppressed.
The context of Leviticus 25 is also important for understanding the significance of this verse. The chapter discusses the Sabbath Year, which was a way for the Israelites to ensure that the land and its people could rest and be rejuvenated. Every seventh year, the land was to lie fallow, and any produce that grew on its own was to be left for the poor and the wild animals. The Year of Jubilee, which occurred every 50 years, was a time for the release of debts, the return of land to its original owner, and the liberation of those who had sold themselves into servitude. These practices were designed to prevent the accumulation of wealth and power in the hands of a few, and to promote a more equitable distribution of resources within the community.
In this broader context, Leviticus 25:39 can be seen as part of the overall system of social and economic justice mandated by God for the Israelites. The verse serves as a reminder that all members of the community are to be treated with fairness and compassion, and that no one should be subjected to the indignity of being exploited or enslaved.
There is also symbolic significance in this verse. The idea of being "sold unto thee" can be seen as a metaphor for the ways in which people can become trapped in situations of poverty and oppression. The commandment not to compel the poor brother to serve as a bondservant symbolizes the need to break the cycles of poverty and exploitation that can afflict individuals and communities. It also speaks to the importance of recognizing the inherent worth and dignity of every person, regardless of their circumstances.
Overall, Leviticus 25:39 is a powerful reminder of the biblical mandate to care for the poor and vulnerable, and to work for greater social and economic justice. It emphasizes the need to treat others with compassion and dignity, and to actively work against systems of oppression and exploitation. In a world that is often marked by inequality and injustice, this verse offers a timeless message of hope and solidarity, calling on believers to advocate for a more just and equitable society.
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Leviticus 25:39 - "¶ And if thy brother that dwelleth by thee be waxen poor, and be sold unto thee; thou shalt not compel him to serve as a bondservant:"
"¶ And if thy brother that dwelleth by thee be waxen poor, and be sold unto thee; thou shalt not compel him to serve as a bondservant:" - Leviticus 25:39
Job 39:13-25
Exodus 25:39 - "Of a talent of pure gold shall he make it, with all these vessels."
Matthew 25:39 - "Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?"
Leviticus 14:39 - "And the priest shall come again the seventh day, and shall look: and, behold, if the plague be spread in the walls of the house;"
Job 39:19-25 – "Do you give the horse its strength or clothe its neck with a flowing mane?"
Leviticus 11:39 - "And if any beast, of which ye may eat, die; he that toucheth the carcase thereof shall be unclean until the even."
Leviticus 13:39 - "Then the priest shall look: and, behold, if the bright spots in the skin of their flesh be darkish white; it is a freckled spot that groweth in the skin; he is clean."
Leviticus 26:39 - "And they that are left of you shall pine away in their iniquity in your enemies' lands; and also in the iniquities of their fathers shall they pine away with them."
Job 39:25 - "He saith among the trumpets, Ha, ha; and he smelleth the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting."
Exodus 39:25 - "And they made bells of pure gold, and put the bells between the pomegranates upon the hem of the robe, round about between the pomegranates;"
Leviticus 25:26 - "And if the man have none to redeem it, and himself be able to redeem it;"
Leviticus 25:34 - "But the field of the suburbs of their cities may not be sold; for it is their perpetual possession."
Leviticus 25:1 - "And the LORD spake unto Moses in mount Sinai, saying,"
Leviticus 16:25 - "And the fat of the sin offering shall he burn upon the altar."
Leviticus 25:24 - "And in all the land of your possession ye shall grant a redemption for the land."
Leviticus 25:13 - "In the year of this jubile ye shall return every man unto his possession."
Leviticus 25:23 - "¶ The land shall not be sold for ever: for the land is mine; for ye are strangers and sojourners with me."
Leviticus 25:7 - "And for thy cattle, and for the beast that are in thy land, shall all the increase thereof be meat."
"Of a talent of pure gold shall he make it, with all these vessels." - Exodus 25:39
Leviticus 25:43 - "Thou shalt not rule over him with rigour; but shalt fear thy God."
Leviticus 25:32 - "Notwithstanding the cities of the Levites, and the houses of the cities of their possession, may the Levites redeem at any time."
Leviticus 27:25 - "And all thy estimations shall be according to the shekel of the sanctuary: twenty gerahs shall be the shekel."
Leviticus 25:25 - "¶ If thy brother be waxen poor, and hath sold away some of his possession, and if any of his kin come to redeem it, then shall he redeem that which his brother sold."
Cycle of sabbath rest year. Leviticus 25:1-7
Leviticus 25:12 - "For it is the jubile; it shall be holy unto you: ye shall eat the increase thereof out of the field."
Leviticus 25:40 - "But as an hired servant, and as a sojourner, he shall be with thee, and shall serve thee unto the year of jubile:"
"Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?" - Matthew 25:39
Leviticus 25:42 - "For they are my servants, which I brought forth out of the land of Egypt: they shall not be sold as bondmen."