Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  7000 God's people  »  7300 Institutions and culture of OT  »  7482 Year of Jubilee

Celebrated in the fiftieth year as the culmination of seven sabbatical years. During this year property was restored and Hebrew slaves were released. This year of liberation gave opportunity for a new start, and is alluded to as a type of the Messianic age.

The institution of the Year of Jubilee

Leviticus 25:8-10

Land was left fallow in the Year of Jubilee

See also

Leviticus 25:11-12,20-22 These instructions apply to the sabbatical year. The Year of Jubilee may have been an additional fallow year, or may have coincided with the seventh sabbatical year.

The restoration of property in the Year of Jubilee

Leviticus 25:13

Regulating the value of property

See also Leviticus 25:15-16; Leviticus 27:16-19,23

Underlining the fact that God is the true owner of the land

Leviticus 25:23-24 The restoration of property to those to whom God had originally entrusted it is a reminder that the land belongs to him. See also Joshua 21:43; 1 Chronicles 29:15; Hebrews 11:13

A means of preserving the inheritance from God

Leviticus 25:25-28 Families are urged to buy back land assigned to them by God. As a last resort, land is restored in the Year of Jubilee. See also Leviticus 25:32-33; Leviticus 27:24; Numbers 36:4,7-9; 1 Kings 21:3; Ezekiel 46:16-18

The release of Hebrew slaves in the Year of Jubilee

Deuteronomy 15:12-15 The release of slaves reflects God's redemption and preserves the freedom he has given ; Leviticus 25:54-55 The Israelites may not be held permanently as slaves because they belong to God. See also Leviticus 25:39-43,50-52; Jeremiah 34:8-9,13-14

The Year of Jubilee is the year of the Lord's favour

Luke 4:18-19 Jesus Christ alludes to the Year of Jubilee in proclaiming spiritual release and restoration. See also Isaiah 61:1-2

See also

1654  numbers, 11-99
4206  land
4978  year
5703  inheritance
6658  freedom
7431  sabbatical year
7446  slavery
9145  Messianic age
9165  restoration