King James Version

What Does Leviticus 25:9 Mean?

Leviticus 25:9 in the King James Version says “Then shalt thou cause the trumpet of the jubile to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month, in the day of atonement ...” — study this verse from Leviticus chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Then shalt thou cause the trumpet of the jubile to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month, in the day of atonement shall ye make the trumpet sound throughout all your land. of the jubile: Heb. loud of sound”

Leviticus 25:9 · KJV

Context

7

And for thy cattle, and for the beast that are in thy land, shall all the increase thereof be meat.

8

And thou shalt number seven sabbaths of years unto thee, seven times seven years; and the space of the seven sabbaths of years shall be unto thee forty and nine years.

9

Then shalt thou cause the trumpet of the jubile to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month, in the day of atonement shall ye make the trumpet sound throughout all your land. of the jubile: Heb. loud of sound

10

And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubile unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family.

11

A jubile shall that fiftieth year be unto you: ye shall not sow, neither reap that which groweth of itself in it, nor gather the grapes in it of thy vine undressed.

Read Leviticus 25 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then shalt thou cause the trumpet of the jubile to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month, in the day of atonement shall ye make the trumpet sound throughout all your land.

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 Hebrew word kaphar (כָּפַר) means 'to cover' or 'to make atonement.' The sacrificial system provided temporary covering for sin, pointing forward to Christ's perfect, once-for-all sacrifice.
Hebrews 9-10 explains how Christ's once-for-all sacrifice supersedes the repeated Levitical offerings, providing permanent cleansing from sin.

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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 tabernacle's design parallels ancient Near Eastern temple architecture, yet its portable nature and absence of divine images distinguished it from pagan temples.

Reflection Questions

  1. In what ways does this verse deepen your appreciation for Christ's atoning sacrifice and the seriousness of sin?
  2. How does this verse reveal God's character, and how should that revelation shape your relationship with Him?
  3. How does this verse point to Christ, and how does that deepen your faith and gratitude?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
תַּֽעֲבִ֥ירוּ1 of 13

“sound”

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

שׁוֹפָ֖ר2 of 13

“Then shalt thou cause the trumpet”

H7782

a cornet (as giving a clear sound) or curved horn

תְּרוּעָה֙3 of 13

“of the jubile”

H8643

clamor, i.e., acclamation of joy or a battle-cry; especially clangor of trumpets, as an alarum

לַחֹ֑דֶשׁ4 of 13

“month”

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

הַשְּׁבִעִ֔י5 of 13

“day of the seventh”

H7637

seventh

בֶּֽעָשׂ֖וֹר6 of 13

“on the tenth”

H6218

ten; by abbreviated form ten strings, and so a decachord

לַחֹ֑דֶשׁ7 of 13

“month”

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

בְּיוֹם֙8 of 13

“in the day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַכִּפֻּרִ֔ים9 of 13

“of atonement”

H3725

expiation (only in plural)

תַּֽעֲבִ֥ירוּ10 of 13

“sound”

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

שׁוֹפָ֖ר11 of 13

“Then shalt thou cause the trumpet”

H7782

a cornet (as giving a clear sound) or curved horn

בְּכָל12 of 13
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אַרְצְכֶֽם׃13 of 13

“throughout all your land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

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 25:9 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Leviticus 25:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Leviticus 23:24Leviticus 23:27Leviticus 27:171 Thessalonians 1:8Leviticus 16:30Numbers 10:10

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