King James Version

What Does Leviticus 25:30 Mean?

Leviticus 25:30 in the King James Version says “And if it be not redeemed within the space of a full year, then the house that is in the walled city shall be establishe... — study this verse from Leviticus chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And if it be not redeemed within the space of a full year, then the house that is in the walled city shall be established for ever to him that bought it throughout his generations: it shall not go out in the jubile.

Leviticus 25:30 · KJV


Context

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.

29

And if a man sell a dwelling house in a walled city, then he may redeem it within a whole year after it is sold; within a full year may he redeem it.

30

And if it be not redeemed within the space of a full year, then the house that is in the walled city shall be established for ever to him that bought it throughout his generations: it shall not go out in the jubile.

31

But the houses of the villages which have no wall round about them shall be counted as the fields of the country: they may be redeemed, and they shall go out in the jubile. they may: Heb. redemption belongeth unto it

32

Notwithstanding the cities of the Levites, and the houses of the cities of their possession, may the Levites redeem at any time.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And if it be not redeemed within the space of a full year, then the house that is in the walled city shall be established for ever to him that bought it throughout his generations: it shall not go out in the jubile.

This verse falls within the section on Sabbath Year and Jubilee. Sabbath year rest for land and Year of Jubilee releasing debts and slaves, teaching trust in God's provision.


The New Testament reveals that Christ's sacrifice accomplishes what the Levitical system could only symbolize—complete forgiveness and restoration of relationship with God.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Sabbath year rest for land and Year of Jubilee releasing debts and slaves, teaching trust in God's provision. Chapters 17-27, often called the 'Holiness Code,' expand covenant obligations beyond ritual to encompass all of life—sexuality, economics, justice, and relationships. The repeated refrain 'I am the LORD' grounds these laws in God's character and covenant relationship with Israel. Israel received these laws while encamped at Sinai, before entering Canaan. The laws prepared them for life in the promised land, distinguishing them from Canaanite practices and establishing their identity as God's holy nation. The portable tabernacle, central to Levitical worship, accompanied them through wilderness wanderings and eventually found permanent form in Solomon's temple. The Israelite dietary laws in Leviticus 11 have no exact parallel in surrounding cultures, though some ancient cultures had food taboos, suggesting unique revelation rather than borrowed customs.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse point to Christ, and how does that deepen your faith and gratitude?
  2. What practical steps can you take this week to apply the principles taught in this verse?
  3. How does this verse help you understand both God's justice and His mercy in salvation?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וְאִ֣ם1 of 22
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

לֹֽא2 of 22
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יִגָּאֵ֗ל3 of 22

And if it be not redeemed

H1350

to redeem (according to the middle eastern law of kinship), i.e., to be the next of kin (and as such to buy back a relative's property, marry his wido

עַד4 of 22
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

מְלֹ֣את5 of 22

within the space

H4390

to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)

לוֹ֮6 of 22
H0
שָׁנָ֣ה7 of 22

year

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

תְמִימָה֒8 of 22

of a full

H8549

entire (literally, figuratively or morally); also (as noun) integrity, truth

וְ֠קָם9 of 22

shall be established

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

הַבַּ֨יִת10 of 22

then the house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

אֲשֶׁר11 of 22
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בָּעִ֜יר12 of 22

city

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

אֲשֶׁר13 of 22
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

ל֣א14 of 22
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

חֹמָ֗ה15 of 22

that is in the walled

H2346

a wall of protection

לַצְּמִיתֻ֛ת16 of 22

for ever

H6783

excision, i.e., destruction; used only (adverbially) with prepositional prefix to extinction, i.e., perpetually

לַקֹּנֶ֥ה17 of 22

to him that bought

H7069

to erect, i.e., create; by extension, to procure, especially by purchase (causatively, sell); by implication to own

אֹת֖וֹ18 of 22
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

לְדֹֽרֹתָ֑יו19 of 22

it throughout his generations

H1755

properly, a revolution of time, i.e., an age or generation; also a dwelling

לֹ֥א20 of 22
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יֵצֵ֖א21 of 22

it shall not go out

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

בַּיֹּבֵֽל׃22 of 22

in the jubile

H3104

the blast of a horn (from its continuous sound); specifically, the signal of the silver trumpets; hence, the instrument itself and the festival thus i


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Leviticus. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Leviticus 25:30 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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