Leviticus 25:33
New International Version
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.

New Living Translation
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.

English Standard Version
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.

Berean Standard Bible
So whatever belongs to the Levites may be redeemed—a house sold in a city they possess—and must be released in the Jubilee, because the houses in the cities of the Levites are their possession among the Israelites.

King James Bible
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 jubile: for the houses of the cities of the Levites are their possession among the children of Israel.

New King James Version
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.

New American Standard Bible
What, therefore, belongs to the Levites may be redeemed, and a house sale in the city of this possession reverts in the jubilee, because the houses of the cities of the Levites are their possession among the sons of Israel.

NASB 1995
‘What, therefore, belongs to the Levites may be redeemed and a house sale in the city of this possession reverts in the jubilee, for the houses of the cities of the Levites are their possession among the sons of Israel.

NASB 1977
‘What, therefore, belongs to the Levites may be redeemed and a house sale in the city of this possession reverts in the jubilee, for the houses of the cities of the Levites are their possession among the sons of Israel.

Legacy Standard Bible
What, therefore, belongs to the Levites may be redeemed, and a house sale in the city of their possession reverts in the jubilee, for the houses of the cities of the Levites are their possession among the sons of Israel.

Amplified Bible
Therefore, what is [purchased] from the Levites may be redeemed [by a Levite], and the house that was sold in the city they possess reverts in the Year of Jubilee, for the houses in the Levite cities are their [ancestral] property among the Israelites.

Christian Standard Bible
Whatever property one of the Levites can redeem —a house sold in a city they possess—is to be released at the Jubilee, because the houses in the Levitical cities are their possession among the Israelites.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Whatever property one of the Levites can redeem—a house sold in a city they possess—must be released at the Jubilee, because the houses in the Levitical cities are their possession among the Israelites.

American Standard Version
And if one of the Levites redeem, then the house that was sold, and the city of his possession, shall go out in the jubilee; for the houses of the cities of the Levites are their possession among the children of Israel.

Contemporary English Version
And any houses that they do not buy back will be returned to them in the Year of Celebration, because these homes are their permanent property among the people of Israel.

English Revised Version
And if one of the Levites redeem, then the house that was sold, and the city of his possession, shall go out in the jubile: for the houses of the cities of the Levites are their possession among the children of Israel.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
If any Levite buys back [a house], in the jubilee the purchased house in the city will be released, because the houses in the Levite cities are their property among the Israelites.

Good News Translation
If a house in one of these cities is sold by a Levite and is not bought back, it must be returned in the Year of Restoration, because the houses which the Levites own in their cities are their permanent property among the people of Israel.

International Standard Version
If someone from the descendants of Levi redeems the houses in the cities that they own, they are to be returned in the jubilee, because the houses of the cities of the descendants of Levi are to remain their property among the Israelis.

Majority Standard Bible
So whatever belongs to the Levites may be redeemed—a house sold in a city they possess—and must be released in the Jubilee, because the houses in the cities of the Levites are their possession among the Israelites.

NET Bible
Whatever someone among the Levites might redeem--the sale of a house which is his property in a city--must revert in the jubilee, because the houses of the cities of the Levites are their property in the midst of the Israelites.

New Heart English Bible
The Levites may redeem the house that was sold, and the city of his possession, and it shall be released in the Jubilee; for the houses of the cities of the Levites are their possession among the children of Israel.

Webster's Bible Translation
And if a man shall 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.

World English Bible
The Levites may redeem the house that was sold, and the city of his possession, and it shall be released in the Jubilee; for the houses of the cities of the Levites are their possession among the children of Israel.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
as for him who redeems from the Levites, then the sale of a house (and [in] the city of his possession) has gone out in the Jubilee, for the houses of the cities of the Levites are their possession in the midst of the sons of Israel.

Young's Literal Translation
as to him who redeemeth from the Levites, both the sale of a house and the city of his possession have gone out in the jubilee, for the houses of the cities of the Levites are their possession in the midst of the sons of Israel.

Smith's Literal Translation
And whoever shall redeem from the Levites, and the selling of the house and the city of his possession went out in the jubilee; for the houses of the cities of the Levites, this their possession in the midst of the sons of Israel.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
If they be not redeemed, in the jubilee they shall all return to the owners, because the houses of the cities of the Levites are for their possessions among the children of Israel.

Catholic Public Domain Version
If they have not been redeemed, then in the Jubilee they shall return to the owners, for the houses of the cities of the Levites are for their possession among the sons of Israel.

New American Bible
As for levitical property that goes unredeemed—houses sold in cities of their possession shall be released in the jubilee; for the houses in levitical cities are their possession in the midst of the Israelites.

New Revised Standard Version
Such property as may be redeemed from the Levites—houses sold in a city belonging to them—shall be released in the jubilee; because the houses in the cities of the Levites are their possession among the people of Israel.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And if a man purchases of the Levites, then the house that was sold, and the city of his possession, shall be released in the year of jubilee; for the houses in the cities of the Levites are their possessions among the children of Israel.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he who will redeem the purchase of a Levite will bring forth from his purchase of the house and the field of his inheritance in the restoration, because the houses of the cities of Levites, those are their inheritance among the children of Israel.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And if a man purchase of the Levites, then the house that was sold in the city of his possession, shall go out in the jubilee; for the houses of the cities of the Levites are their possession among the children of Israel.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And if any one shall redeem a house of the Levites, then shall their sale of the houses of their possession go out in the release; because the houses of the cities of the Levites are their possession in the midst of the children of Israel.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Law of Redemption
32As for the cities of the Levites, the Levites always have the right to redeem their houses in the cities they possess. 33So whatever belongs to the Levites may be redeemed— a house sold in a city they possess— and must be released in the Jubilee, because the houses in the cities of the Levites are their possession among the Israelites. 34But the open pastureland around their cities may not be sold, for this is their permanent possession.…

Cross References
Numbers 35:2-8
“Command the Israelites to give, from the inheritance they will possess, cities for the Levites to live in and pasturelands around the cities. / The cities will be for them to live in, and the pasturelands will be for their herds, their flocks, and all their other livestock. / The pasturelands around the cities you are to give the Levites will extend a thousand cubits from the wall on every side. ...

Joshua 21:1-3
Now the family heads of the Levites approached Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the heads of the other tribes of Israel / at Shiloh in the land of Canaan and said to them, “The LORD commanded through Moses that we be given cities in which to live, together with pasturelands for our livestock.” / So by the command of the LORD, the Israelites gave the Levites these cities and their pasturelands out of their own inheritance:

Ezekiel 48:14
They must not sell or exchange any of it, and they must not transfer this best part of the land, for it is holy to the LORD.

1 Chronicles 6:54-60
Now these were the territories assigned to the descendants of Aaron from the Kohathite clan for their settlements, because the first lot fell to them: / They were given Hebron in the land of Judah and its surrounding pasturelands. / But the fields and villages around the city were given to Caleb son of Jephunneh. ...

Nehemiah 11:3
These are the heads of the provinces who settled in Jerusalem. (In the villages of Judah, however, each lived on his own property in their towns—the Israelites, priests, Levites, temple servants, and descendants of Solomon’s servants—

Deuteronomy 18:1-2
The Levitical priests—indeed the whole tribe of Levi—shall have no portion or inheritance with Israel. They are to eat the food offerings to the LORD; that is their inheritance. / Although they have no inheritance among their brothers, the LORD is their inheritance, as He promised them.

Numbers 18:20-24
Then the LORD said to Aaron, “You will have no inheritance in their land, nor will you have any portion among them. I am your portion and your inheritance among the Israelites. / Behold, I have given to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work they do, the service of the Tent of Meeting. / No longer may the Israelites come near to the Tent of Meeting, or they will incur guilt and die. ...

Joshua 14:3-4
For Moses had given the inheritance east of the Jordan to the other two and a half tribes. But he granted no inheritance among them to the Levites. / The descendants of Joseph became two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim. And no portion of the land was given to the Levites, except for cities in which to live, along with pasturelands for their flocks and herds.

Ezekiel 44:28
In regard to their inheritance, I am their inheritance. You are to give them no possession in Israel, for I am their possession.

Acts 4:34-37
There were no needy ones among them, because those who owned lands or houses would sell their property, bring the proceeds from the sales, / and lay them at the apostles’ feet for distribution to anyone as he had need. / Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (meaning Son of Encouragement), ...

Hebrews 7:5
Now the law commands the sons of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their brothers—though they too are descended from Abraham.

Matthew 19:29
And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for the sake of My name will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.

Luke 18:29-30
“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God / will fail to receive many times more in this age—and in the age to come, eternal life.”

1 Corinthians 9:13-14
Do you not know that those who work in the temple eat of its food, and those who serve at the altar partake of its offerings? / In the same way, the Lord has prescribed that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.

1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.


Treasury of Scripture

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.

a man purchase of the Levites.

Leviticus 25:28
But if he be not able to restore it to him, then that which is sold shall remain in the hand of him that hath bought it until the year of jubile: and in the jubile it shall go out, and he shall return unto his possession.

for the houses

Numbers 18:20-24
And the LORD spake unto Aaron, Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land, neither shalt thou have any part among them: I am thy part and thine inheritance among the children of Israel…

Deuteronomy 18:1,2
The priests the Levites, and all the tribe of Levi, shall have no part nor inheritance with Israel: they shall eat the offerings of the LORD made by fire, and his inheritance…

Jump to Previous
Belongs Children Cities City Exchanged Exercise Hold House Houses Israel Israelites Jubilee Levite Midst Money Possession Property Purchase Redeem Redeemed Redeemeth Redemption Released Reverts Right Sale Sold Towns Year
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Belongs Children Cities City Exchanged Exercise Hold House Houses Israel Israelites Jubilee Levite Midst Money Possession Property Purchase Redeem Redeemed Redeemeth Redemption Released Reverts Right Sale Sold Towns Year
Leviticus 25
1. the Sabbath of the seventh year
8. The jubilee in the fiftieth year
14. Of oppression
18. A blessing of obedience
23. The redemption of land
29. Of houses
35. Compassion to the poor
39. The usage of bondmen
47. The redemption of servants














So whatever belongs to the Levites
The Levites were a unique tribe in Israel, set apart for religious duties and service to God. The Hebrew root for "Levites" is לֵוִי (Levi), which means "joined" or "attached." This reflects their role as those who are joined to God’s service. Historically, the Levites did not receive a territorial inheritance like the other tribes, as their inheritance was the Lord Himself (Numbers 18:20). This phrase emphasizes the special status and rights of the Levites within the Israelite community.

may be redeemed
The concept of redemption in Hebrew is גָּאַל (ga'al), meaning to buy back or reclaim. This reflects the broader biblical theme of redemption, where God redeems His people from bondage and sin. In the context of Leviticus, it underscores the provision for the Levites to reclaim their property, ensuring their sustenance and stability. This redemption is a precursor to the ultimate redemption found in Christ, who redeems humanity from sin.

a house sold in a city they possess
The Levites were given cities to dwell in, as they did not have a large territory like other tribes (Numbers 35:2-3). The phrase highlights the importance of maintaining the Levites' dwelling places, ensuring they remain within the community to perform their priestly duties. The sale of a house in these cities was not permanent, reflecting the temporary nature of earthly possessions and pointing to the eternal home believers have in heaven.

and must be released in the Jubilee
The Jubilee, or יוֹבֵל (yovel) in Hebrew, was a year of liberation and restoration occurring every 50th year. It was a time when debts were forgiven, and land was returned to its original owners. This release symbolizes God's desire for freedom and restoration for His people. The Jubilee foreshadows the ultimate liberation found in Christ, who sets captives free and restores what was lost.

because the houses in the cities of the Levites
This phrase reiterates the significance of the Levites' cities as their rightful possession. The Levites' role required them to be dispersed among the Israelites, providing spiritual guidance and instruction. Their cities served as centers of worship and teaching, emphasizing the importance of maintaining these spiritual hubs within the community.

are their possession among the Israelites
The Hebrew word for "possession" is אֲחֻזָּה (achuzzah), meaning property or inheritance. This underscores the Levites' unique inheritance among the Israelites, which was not land but their service to God and His people. This possession is a reminder of the spiritual inheritance believers have in Christ, which is far greater than any earthly possession.

(33) And if a man purchase of the Levites.--Better, And if one of the Levites redeem it, that is, even if a Levite redeemed the house which his brother Levite was obliged to sell through poverty, the general law of house property is not to obtain even among the Levites themselves. They are to treat each other according to the law of landed property.

Then the house that was sold, and the city of his possession, shall go out.--Better, then the house that was sold in the city of his possession shall go out, that is, in the year of jubile the house is to revert to the vendor just as if it were landed property. Thus, for instance, the house of the Levite A, which he, out of poverty, was obliged to sell to the non-Levite B, and which was redeemed from him by a Levite C, reverts in the jubile year from the Levite C to the original Levitical proprietor A. It is, however, more than probable that the negative particle has dropped out of the text, and that the passage as it originally stood was, "And if one of the Levites doth not redeem it." That is, if he does not act the part of the nearest of kin, then the house reverts in the year of jubile to the original Levitical owner, just as landed property. The Vulg. has still the negative particle.

For the houses of the cities of the Levites are their possession.--As these houses were all which the Levites possessed, they were as important to them as the land was to the other tribes, hence they were to be treated legally in the same way as the soil.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So whatever
וַאֲשֶׁ֤ר (wa·’ă·šer)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

belongs to
מִן־ (min-)
Preposition
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

the Levites
הַלְוִיִּ֔ם (hal·wî·yim)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 3881: Levites -- descendant of Levi

may be redeemed—
יִגְאַל֙ (yiḡ·’al)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1350: To redeem, act as kinsman

a house
בַּ֛יִת (ba·yiṯ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1004: A house

sold
מִמְכַּר־ (mim·kar-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4465: Merchandise, a selling

in a city
וְעִ֥יר (wə·‘îr)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 5892: Excitement

they possess—
אֲחֻזָּת֖וֹ (’ă·ḥuz·zā·ṯōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 272: Something seized, a possession

and must be released
וְיָצָ֧א (wə·yā·ṣā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

in the Jubilee,
בַּיֹּבֵ֑ל (bay·yō·ḇêl)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3104: A ram, ram's horn (a wind instrument)

because
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

the houses
בָתֵּ֞י (ḇāt·tê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1004: A house

in the cities
עָרֵ֣י (‘ā·rê)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 5892: Excitement

of the Levites
הַלְוִיִּ֗ם (hal·wî·yim)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 3881: Levites -- descendant of Levi

are their possession
אֲחֻזָּתָ֔ם (’ă·ḥuz·zā·ṯām)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 272: Something seized, a possession

among
בְּת֖וֹךְ (bə·ṯō·wḵ)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8432: A bisection, the centre

the Israelites.
בְּנֵ֥י (bə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son


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OT Law: Leviticus 25:33 The Levites may redeem the house that (Le Lv Lev.)
Leviticus 25:32
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