Leviticus 25:39

‘If one of your fellow Israelis becomes poor and sells himself to you, do not force him to work like a slave.

Translation for Translators

In The King James Version

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:

In Context

38Do not forget that I am Yahweh your God, who brought you out of Egypt to be your God and to give you the land of Canaan, and I did not charge you for doing that.

40Treat him like you treat workers that you hire or like someone who is living on your land temporarily. But he must work for you only until the Year of Celebration.

Read all of Leviticus 25

Cross References

Exodus 21:2When/If you buy a Hebrew slave, he is to serve you for only six years. In the seventh year you must free him from being your slave, and he is not required to pay you anything for setting him free.

Leviticus 25:46They will be your slaves for the remaining years of your life, and after you die, it is permitted for your children to own them. But you must not act in brutal ways toward your fellow Israelis.

1 Kings 9:22But Solomon did not force any Israeli people to become slaves. Some Israelis became soldiers and army officers and commanders and drivers of his chariots and soldiers who rode on horses.

2 Chronicles 28:10And now you want to sin by causing men and women from Judah to become your slaves, but you have certainly also sinned against Yahweh our God!

Jeremiah 25:14The leaders of many nations will cause the people of Babylonia to become their slaves, like the people of Babylonia caused my people to become slaves. I will punish them like they deserve for having caused my people to suffer.’”

Jeremiah 30:8The Commander of the armies of angels says this: “At that time it will be as though I will sever/cut the ropes that are around my people, and I will free them from being ◄slaves/forced to do what the King of Babylon wants them to do► [MET]. People in other countries will no longer be their bosses.

Matthew Henry on Leviticus 25:24-39

23 The land shall not be sold for ever: for the land is mine; for ye are strangers and sojourners with me. 24 And in all the land of your possession ye shall grant a redemption for the land. 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. 26 And if the man have none to redeem it, and himself be able to redeem it; 27 Then let him count the years of the sale thereof, and restore the overplus unto… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Leviticus 25:39