Leviticus 25 33

Leviticus 25:33 kjv

And if a man purchase of the Levites, then the house that was sold, and the city of his possession, shall go out in the year of jubilee: for the houses of the cities of the Levites are their possession among the children of Israel.

Leviticus 25:33 nkjv

And if a man purchases a house from the Levites, then the house that was sold in the city of his possession shall be released in the Jubilee; for the houses in the cities of the Levites are their possession among the children of Israel.

Leviticus 25:33 niv

So the property of the Levites is redeemable?that is, a house sold in any town they hold?and is to be returned in the Jubilee, because the houses in the towns of the Levites are their property among the Israelites.

Leviticus 25:33 esv

And if one of the Levites exercises his right of redemption, then the house that was sold in a city they possess shall be released in the jubilee. For the houses in the cities of the Levites are their possession among the people of Israel.

Leviticus 25:33 nlt

And any property that is sold by the Levites ? all houses within the Levitical towns ? must be returned in the Year of Jubilee. After all, the houses in the towns reserved for the Levites are the only property they own in all Israel.

Leviticus 25 verses

Leviticus 25 33 Meaning

Leviticus 25:33 states a special privilege for the Levites regarding the sale of their houses. Unlike the general rule for houses in walled cities (which became permanent property of the buyer if not redeemed within a year, and did not revert in the Jubilee), houses owned by Levites in their designated cities or surrounding villages could be redeemed by them at any time, even long after a sale and regardless of the Jubilee year. This provision ensured the Levites, who received no tribal land inheritance, would always have a place to dwell, underscoring God's perpetual provision for His consecrated servants.

Leviticus 25 33 Context

Leviticus chapter 25 details the laws concerning the Sabbath year and the Jubilee year. These laws establish economic and social provisions for Israel, ensuring a regular resetting of land ownership and personal freedom, reflecting God's ultimate ownership of the land and His desire for justice and equity among His people. The context preceding verse 33 distinguishes between fields (which return in the Jubilee, 25:28), houses in walled cities (which become permanent after a year if unredeemed, 25:29-30), and houses in unwalled villages (which behave like fields and return in the Jubilee, 25:31). Verse 32 introduces Levite land ownership in general, and verse 33 then provides a unique, highly preferential rule specifically for houses of Levites in their designated cities, emphasizing their unique status and role within Israel.

Leviticus 25 33 Word analysis

• Nevertheless (אַךְ - 'ak): This Hebrew particle serves as an adversative conjunction, indicating a strong contrast or exception to the general rules just described in the preceding verses (25:29-32) regarding property redemption and Jubilee application. It emphatically signals that what follows is a special provision.
• the houses (בָּתֵּי - battey): Refers specifically to residential dwellings, distinguishing them from agricultural fields (śādeh) or open common lands (migrāš) around Levite cities.
• of the cities (עָרֵי - 'arei): Pertains to the Levites' allocated urban settlements, typically walled or defined population centers given to them across Israel, as detailed in Numbers 35 and Joshua 21. These were distinct from agricultural land that was generally distributed among the other tribes.
• of the Levites (הַלְוִיִּם - haLeviyyim): Specifies the recipients of this special privilege: the tribe of Levi. They were chosen for priestly and temple service, and uniquely did not receive a territorial inheritance (Nahalah) among the other tribes. God Himself was declared their inheritance, thus special provisions like these were made for their physical dwelling and livelihood.
• and the houses of the villages of their possession (וּבָתֵּי חֲצֵרֵיהֶם אֲשֶׁר לָהֶם - uvattey hatzeireyhem asher lahem): This phrase clarifies that the privilege extends beyond houses within the main walled city boundaries to also include houses in the outlying unwalled settlements or 'suburbs' (חֲצֵרֵיהֶם - chatzerim), which were part of the Levites' allotted possessions around their cities. It reinforces that all types of residential dwellings owned by Levites were under this special rule.
• may the Levites redeem (יִגְאֲלוּ הַלְוִיִּם - yig'alu haLeviyyim): From the root "גאל" (ga'al), meaning 'to redeem', 'to ransom', or 'to act as kinsman-redeemer'. It signifies the perpetual right of a Levite to buy back their property, reflecting God's 'go'el' characteristic for His people.
• at any time (בְּכָל עֵת - bekhol 'et): This is the crucial phrase defining the unique nature of the Levites' redemption right. It means without any time limit, unlike the one-year limit for houses in walled cities (Lev 25:29-30) or the Jubilee year for fields (Lev 25:28). It implies perpetual or unlimited redemption.

Leviticus 25 33 Bonus section

The inalienable right of Levites to redeem their houses at any time served multiple divine purposes:

• Sanctity of the Levites' Calling: It emphasized the permanent nature of their separation and dedication to God. Their provision was guaranteed by divine decree, not contingent on the ebb and flow of typical real estate transactions or the strict Jubilee cycle that applied to other tribal lands.
• Preservation of God's Plan for Cities of Refuge: Some Levitical cities also served as Cities of Refuge (Num 35:6). Ensuring the stability and continuous occupancy of these cities by Levites was critical for their judicial and religious function within the nation.
• Theological Parallel to Spiritual Inheritance: The Levites' special dwelling rights can be seen as a shadow of the believer's secure and permanent spiritual inheritance in Christ. Just as the Levites' physical homes were protected, believers have an "imperishable" and "unfading" inheritance (1 Pet 1:4), a secure "house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens" (2 Cor 5:1). God’s ultimate redemption ensures the permanent "possession" of His people, where Christ acts as the eternal Kinsman-Redeemer, securing our dwelling place with God for all time.

Leviticus 25 33 Commentary

Leviticus 25:33 underscores a profound aspect of God's covenant with Israel: His meticulous care for those dedicated to His service. While general rules regarding property redemption and the Jubilee ensured social equity and God's ultimate sovereignty over the land for the rest of Israel, the Levites stood apart. Having received no inherited tribal land (Num 18:20), their very existence was predicated on divine provision. This verse ensures their permanent right to their homes, eliminating any possibility of perpetual loss due to financial hardship. This exception not only provided security but also prevented their displacement, ensuring a stable base from which to fulfill their duties to God and Israel. It portrays God as the faithful provider for His ministers, reflecting the enduring principle that those consecrated to sacred service have a lasting and protected dwelling place. This law contrasts starkly with any system where a religious class could be rendered homeless or disenfranchised.