Leviticus 25:54

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Leviticus 25:54 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And if he be not redeemed by these [means], then he shall go out in the year of jubilee, he, and his children with him.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And if he be not redeemed by these [means], then he shall go out in the year of jubilee, he, and his children with him.
Leviticus 25:54 — American Standard Version

Context — Leviticus 25

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
54And if he be not redeemed by these [means], then he shall go out in the year of jubilee, he, and his children with him.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And if he be not redeemed in these [years], etc.] The Targum of Jonathan supplies the text as we do, in any of the years from the time of his sale to the year of jubilee; and so Aben Ezra interprets it, in the years that remain to the jubilee; but he observes there are others that say, by the means of those above mentioned, that is, by his nearest of kin, or by himself; for the word “years” is not in the text, which may be supplied, either with “years” or “relations”; and so the Vulgate Latin, Septuagint, and Oriental versions read, “by these” means, things or persons: then he shall go out on the year of jubilee: out of the house and service of him that bought him, he shall go out free and…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“A sojourner or stranger - Rather, a foreigner who has settled among you. See Leviticus 16:29, note; Exodus 20:10, note. Leviticus 25:54 In these years - More properly, by one of these means. The extreme period of servitude in this case was six years, as when the master was a Hebrew Exodus 21:2. Looking at the law of the Jubilee from a simply practical point of view, its operation must have tended to remedy those evils which are always growing up in the ordinary conditions of human society. It prevented the permanent accumulation of land in the hands of a few, and periodically raised those whom fault or misfortune had sunk into poverty to a position of competency. It must also have tended to…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“in these years: or, by these means then: Lev 25:40, Lev 25:41; Exo 21:2, Exo 21:3; Isa 49:9, Isa 49:25, Isa 52:3 Leviticus 25:55”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification