Leviticus 25:23 kjv

The land shall not be sold for ever: for the land is mine, for ye are strangers and sojourners with me.

Leviticus 25:23 nkjv

'The land shall not be sold permanently, for the land is Mine; for you are strangers and sojourners with Me.

Leviticus 25:23 niv

"?'The land must not be sold permanently, because the land is mine and you reside in my land as foreigners and strangers.

Leviticus 25:23 esv

"The land shall not be sold in perpetuity, for the land is mine. For you are strangers and sojourners with me.

Leviticus 25:23 nlt

"The land must never be sold on a permanent basis, for the land belongs to me. You are only foreigners and tenant farmers working for me.

Leviticus 25 verses

Leviticus 25 23 Meaning

Leviticus 25:23 establishes a foundational principle regarding land ownership in Israel: the land is not to be sold permanently because it belongs solely to God. Israelites residing in the land are considered His "strangers and sojourners," indicating their temporary and dependent status under His sovereign ownership. This divine claim on the land underscores the economic and social regulations for Israel, particularly the Jubilee system, which ensures the land's periodic return to its original tribal and family allocations.

Leviticus 25 23 Context

Leviticus chapter 25 details the laws concerning the Sabbatic Year and the Year of Jubilee. These statutes regulate land use, debt, and the release of slaves, emphasizing the importance of rest, liberation, and economic justice rooted in God's sovereignty. Verse 23 is central to understanding these regulations, especially those related to land. It clarifies that because God is the ultimate owner of the land He gives to Israel, they are merely stewards, never truly possessing it absolutely. This principle undergirds the law that land sold due to economic hardship must revert to the original family in the Year of Jubilee, preventing permanent loss of ancestral inheritance and fostering economic equality. Historically, this countered common Ancient Near Eastern practices where land could be permanently alienated, leading to perpetual servitude and destitution. The Israelites' identity as "strangers and sojourners" refers to their status as guests in God's land, a people whom He rescued from slavery and brought into His inheritance, reminding them of their continued dependence on Him.

Leviticus 25 23 Word analysis

• The land shall not be sold permanently (לֹא-תִמָּכֵר לִצְמִתֻת, lo' timmakher la'tsemet):
  • "land" ('erets): Refers specifically to the land of Canaan promised to Abraham's descendants and given as an inheritance to the tribes of Israel. Its use here highlights its unique status within the divine covenant.
  • "shall not be sold permanently" (lo' timmakher la'tsemet): This phrase uses the Niphal imperfect form of makar (to sell) with tsemet (permanence, forever). The meaning is "it shall not be sold to be cut off" or "it shall not be permanently alienated." It signifies that any land transaction is not a full sale of ownership but rather a long-term lease, reverting to its original owner in the Jubilee. This directly limits human rights to absolute property ownership in the Promised Land.
• for the land is Mine (כִּי-לִי הָאָרֶץ, ki-li ha'aretz):
  • "for" (ki): A strong causal conjunction, establishing the fundamental reason for the preceding command.
  • "is Mine" (li): A concise and powerful assertion of exclusive divine ownership. God possesses the land absolutely. This establishes God as the sovereign landlord, and Israel as His tenant. This declaration serves as a direct polemic against the pagan notion of localized deities who 'owned' only a specific city or region; the God of Israel owns all the earth, but specifically claims the land of Israel as His dwelling place and sphere of direct rule.
• for you are strangers and sojourners (כִּי-גֵרִים וְתוֹשָׁבִים, ki-gerim ve'toshavim):
  • "strangers" (gerim): From the root gur (to sojourn), this term denotes a resident alien or non-native, someone who lives among a people not their own, often dependent on the host. In this context, it highlights Israel's temporary, non-indigenous status in relation to God and His land. It serves as a reminder of their redemption from Egypt and their prior experience as strangers themselves, instilling humility and reminding them of God's grace.
  • "sojourners" (toshavim): From the root yashav (to dwell), this term also implies a temporary dweller or inhabitant, someone without a permanent familial claim to the land they live on. Together with gerim, it powerfully reinforces Israel's non-ultimate ownership. They are like guests or tenants living on a property that belongs to another.
• with Me (עִמָּדִי, immadi):
  • "with Me": This emphasizes a covenantal relationship and their immediate presence in God's sphere of influence. Their temporary status is "with" the divine Landlord, implying their protection, provision, and direct accountability to Him. This relationship elevates their sojourner status from merely precarious to divinely secured yet subject to His will. It reinforces their identity as a people chosen by God, living under His direct patronage.

Leviticus 25 23 Bonus section

The concept of "the land is Mine" also implies a deep theological connection to stewardship and responsibility. Because the land belongs to God, Israel was obligated to care for it according to His laws (e.g., Sabbatic year, tithing), reflecting a broader principle of ecological care and responsible resource management as acts of worship. This verse also provided a legal basis for challenging land theft or unjust appropriation, as seen later in Naboth's vineyard (1 Kings 21), though violated by human rulers. The inherent limits on ownership served as a preventative measure against excessive wealth accumulation and the perpetuation of poverty, promoting a more equitable society founded on divine principles.

Leviticus 25 23 Commentary

Leviticus 25:23 is a cornerstone verse for understanding the economic and theological framework of the Mosaic Law. It boldly asserts God's absolute ownership over the land of Israel, establishing the ultimate rationale for the unique land tenure laws, especially the Year of Jubilee. By declaring "the land is Mine," God refutes any human claim to ultimate dominion, positioning Himself as the benevolent Landlord and the Israelites as His tenants. This perspective prevented the permanent disenfranchisement of families and maintained a social and economic equilibrium, reflecting God's justice and care for the vulnerable. The terms "strangers and sojourners" serve as a perpetual reminder of Israel's journey from foreignness to dwelling in God's promised land by grace, always dependent on His provision and not their own self-sufficiency or inherited right apart from Him. This principle extends spiritually, reminding believers today that our lives and possessions are not our own but are gifts from God, to be stewarded wisely as temporary residents in this world while awaiting our eternal, heavenly home.