This verse reminds us God’s mercy ensures no one is permanently lost.
And “he then with his purchaser shall calculate from the year when he sold himself to him until the year of jubilee; and the price of his sale shall correspond to the number of years; it is like the days of a hired man that he shall be with him.” (Leviticus 25:50)
In this passage, the LORD’s plan for economic fairness and mercy is displayed through the year of Jubilee. When an Israelite sold himself to another person in financial desperation, the original arrangement could not be permitted to become a lifelong sentence. Instead, there was a prescribed limit—“until the year of jubilee”—which was a special time appointed by God for the land to rest, debts to be released, and people to regain their freedom (Leviticus 25:10). The idea here is that each Israelite was never to become a permanent slave of another person, since they were first and foremost servants of the LORD and part of His covenant people. Thus “the price of his sale shall correspond to the number of years;” the fewer the years left until the Jubilee, the less money it would cost to buy back their freedom. This establishes the principle of redemption at a fair price. Throughout the Old Testament, redemption involves release or liberation through the payment of something owed, and it foreshadows the ultimate redemption that would come through Christ, who paid the price for our sins once for all (Hebrews 9:12).
The reference to “the days of a hired man” suggests that the servant was to be treated humanely and compensated fairly during these remaining years. In Israel, a hired worker who labored day by day was not bound for life; there was dignity in his work and a predictable end to his service. God’s law was set up to protect the dignity of every Israelite, ensuring they were never stuck in permanent bondage (Deuteronomy 15:12). This also reflects the broader covenantal perspective of Israel as a nation called to love one another, “you shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18). Such neighborly love is central to the entire Old Covenant, and Jesus reaffirmed its importance as one of the greatest commandments (Matthew 22:39).
This vision of redemption is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who redeems all people who trust Him, freeing us from the debt of sin (Ephesians 1:7). Just as the servant in Leviticus 25 was not to remain bound but was granted the right of redemption through accurate calculation, our spiritual redemption through Christ provides eternal liberation (Romans 6:17-18). Jesus offers release from sin’s power and the promise of a future inheritance, echoing the significance of the Jubilee that restored inheritance and land to God’s people.
This verse describes a reminder that God provided a way for His covenant people to escape perpetual bondage through fair and gracious rules. It foreshadows the ultimate act of redemption accomplished by Jesus, who has paid our debt and set us free.
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Leviticus 25:50 meaning
And “he then with his purchaser shall calculate from the year when he sold himself to him until the year of jubilee; and the price of his sale shall correspond to the number of years; it is like the days of a hired man that he shall be with him.” (Leviticus 25:50)
In this passage, the LORD’s plan for economic fairness and mercy is displayed through the year of Jubilee. When an Israelite sold himself to another person in financial desperation, the original arrangement could not be permitted to become a lifelong sentence. Instead, there was a prescribed limit—“until the year of jubilee”—which was a special time appointed by God for the land to rest, debts to be released, and people to regain their freedom (Leviticus 25:10). The idea here is that each Israelite was never to become a permanent slave of another person, since they were first and foremost servants of the LORD and part of His covenant people. Thus “the price of his sale shall correspond to the number of years;” the fewer the years left until the Jubilee, the less money it would cost to buy back their freedom. This establishes the principle of redemption at a fair price. Throughout the Old Testament, redemption involves release or liberation through the payment of something owed, and it foreshadows the ultimate redemption that would come through Christ, who paid the price for our sins once for all (Hebrews 9:12).
The reference to “the days of a hired man” suggests that the servant was to be treated humanely and compensated fairly during these remaining years. In Israel, a hired worker who labored day by day was not bound for life; there was dignity in his work and a predictable end to his service. God’s law was set up to protect the dignity of every Israelite, ensuring they were never stuck in permanent bondage (Deuteronomy 15:12). This also reflects the broader covenantal perspective of Israel as a nation called to love one another, “you shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18). Such neighborly love is central to the entire Old Covenant, and Jesus reaffirmed its importance as one of the greatest commandments (Matthew 22:39).
This vision of redemption is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who redeems all people who trust Him, freeing us from the debt of sin (Ephesians 1:7). Just as the servant in Leviticus 25 was not to remain bound but was granted the right of redemption through accurate calculation, our spiritual redemption through Christ provides eternal liberation (Romans 6:17-18). Jesus offers release from sin’s power and the promise of a future inheritance, echoing the significance of the Jubilee that restored inheritance and land to God’s people.
This verse describes a reminder that God provided a way for His covenant people to escape perpetual bondage through fair and gracious rules. It foreshadows the ultimate act of redemption accomplished by Jesus, who has paid our debt and set us free.