New International Version“’The Levites always have the right to redeem their houses in the Levitical towns, which they possess.
New Living Translation“The Levites always have the right to buy back a house they have sold within the towns allotted to them.
English Standard VersionAs for the cities of the Levites, the Levites may redeem at any time the houses in the cities they possess.
Berean Standard BibleAs for the cities of the Levites, the Levites always have the right to redeem their houses in the cities they possess.
King James BibleNotwithstanding the cities of the Levites, and the houses of the cities of their possession, may the Levites redeem at any time.
New King James VersionNevertheless the cities of the Levites, and the houses in the cities of their possession, the Levites may redeem at any time.
New American Standard BibleAs for the cities of the Levites, the Levites have a permanent right of redemption for the houses of the cities which are their possession.
NASB 1995‘As for cities of the Levites, the Levites have a permanent right of redemption for the houses of the cities which are their possession.
NASB 1977‘As for cities of the Levites, the Levites have a permanent right of redemption for the houses of the cities which are their possession.
Legacy Standard BibleAs for cities of the Levites, the Levites have a permanent right of redemption for the houses of the cities which are their possession.
Amplified BibleAs for the cities of the Levites, the Levites have a permanent right of redemption for the houses in the cities which they possess.
Christian Standard Bible“Concerning the Levitical cities, the Levites always have the right to redeem houses in the cities they possess.
Holman Christian Standard BibleConcerning the Levitical cities, the Levites always have the right to redeem houses in the cities they possess.
American Standard VersionNevertheless the cities of the Levites, the houses of the cities of their possession, may the Levites redeem at any time.
Contemporary English VersionIf any Levites own houses inside a walled city, they will always have the right to buy them back.
English Revised VersionNevertheless the cities of the Levites, the houses of the cities of their possession, may the Levites redeem at any time.
GOD'S WORD® Translation"The Levites always have the right to buy back their property in the cities they own.
Good News TranslationHowever, Levites have the right to buy back at any time their property in the cities assigned to them.
International Standard VersionNevertheless, the cities that belong to the descendants of Levi—that is, the houses in the cities that belong to them—are to belong to the descendants of Levi perpetually as part of their right of redemption.
NET BibleAs for the cities of the Levites, the houses in the cities which they possess, the Levites must have a perpetual right of redemption.
New Heart English Bible"'Nevertheless the cities of the Levites, the houses in the cities of their possession, the Levites may redeem forever.
Webster's Bible TranslationNotwithstanding the cities of the Levites, and the houses of the cities of their possession, may the Levites redeem at any time. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAs for the cities of the Levites, the Levites always have the right to redeem their houses in the cities they possess.
World English Bible“‘Nevertheless, in the cities of the Levites, the Levites may redeem the houses in the cities of their possession at any time. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAs for cities of the Levites—houses of the cities of their possession—continuous redemption is for the Levites;
Young's Literal Translation 'As to cities of the Levites -- houses of the cities of their possession -- redemption age-during is to the Levites;
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd the cities of the Levites, the houses of the cities of their possession, redemption shall be always to the Levites. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThe houses of Levites, which are in cities, may always be redeemed:
Catholic Public Domain VersionThe buildings of the Levites, which are in the cities, are always able to be redeemed.
New American BibleIn levitical cities the Levites shall always have the right to redeem the houses in the cities that are in their possession.
New Revised Standard VersionAs for the cities of the Levites, the Levites shall forever have the right of redemption of the houses in the cities belonging to them. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleNotwithstanding the cities of the Levites, and the houses which are in the cities of their possession, the Levites shall have the right to redeem for ever.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd the towns of Levites, the houses that are in the town of their inheritance, shall be the redemption to eternity for the Levites. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917But as for the cities of the Levites, the houses of the cities of their possession, the Levites shall have a perpetual right of redemption.
Brenton Septuagint TranslationAnd the cities of the Levites, the houses of the cities in their possession, shall be always redeemable to the Levites.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The Law of Redemption… 31But houses in villages with no walls around them are to be considered as open fields. They may be redeemed, and they shall be released in the Jubilee. 32As for the citiesof the Levites,the Levitesalwayshavethe right to redeemtheir housesin the citiesthey 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.…
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 21:1-42Now 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: ...
1 Chronicles 6:54-81Now 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. ...
Ezekiel 48:9-14The special portion you set apart to the LORD shall be 25,000 cubits long and 10,000 cubits wide. / This will be the holy portion for the priests. It will be 25,000 cubits long on the north side, 10,000 cubits wide on the west side, 10,000 cubits wide on the east side, and 25,000 cubits long on the south side. In the center will be the sanctuary of the LORD. / It will be for the consecrated priests, the descendants of Zadok, who kept My charge and did not go astray as the Levites did when the Israelites went astray. ...
Deuteronomy 18:1-2The 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 18:20-24Then 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. ...
Nehemiah 11:20-36The rest of the Israelites, with the priests and Levites, were in all the villages of Judah, each on his own inheritance. / The temple servants lived on the hill of Ophel, with Ziha and Gishpa over them. / Now the overseer of the Levites in Jerusalem was Uzzi son of Bani, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Mica. He was one of Asaph’s descendants, who were the singers in charge of the service of the house of God. ...
1 Kings 2:26Then the king said to Abiathar the priest, “Go back to your fields in Anathoth. Even though you deserve to die, I will not put you to death at this time, since you carried the ark of the Lord GOD before my father David, and you suffered through all that my father suffered.”
2 Chronicles 31:15-19Under his authority, Eden, Miniamin, Jeshua, Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah faithfully distributed portions to their fellow priests in their cities, according to their divisions, old and young alike. / In addition, they distributed portions to the males registered by genealogy who were three years of age or older—to all who would enter the house of the LORD for their daily duties for service in the responsibilities of their divisions— / and to the priests enrolled according to their families in the genealogy, as well as to the Levites twenty years of age or older, according to their responsibilities and divisions. ...
Jeremiah 32:7-9Behold! Hanamel, the son of your uncle Shallum, is coming to you to say, ‘Buy for yourself my field in Anathoth, for you have the right of redemption to buy it.’ / Then, as the LORD had said, my cousin Hanamel came to me in the courtyard of the guard and urged me, ‘Please buy my field in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin, for you own the right of inheritance and redemption. Buy it for yourself.’” Then I knew that this was the word of the LORD. / So I bought the field in Anathoth from my cousin Hanamel, and I weighed out seventeen shekels of silver.
Acts 4:34-37There 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 7:5Now 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 19:29And 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.”
Acts 2:44-45All the believers were together and had everything in common. / Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need.
Treasury of Scripture Notwithstanding the cities of the Levites, and the houses of the cities of their possession, may the Levites redeem at any time. the cities Numbers 35:2-8 Command the children of Israel, that they give unto the Levites of the inheritance of their possession cities to dwell in; and ye shall givealso unto the Levites suburbs for the cities round about them… Joshua 21:1-45 Then came near the heads of the fathers of the Levites unto Eleazar the priest, and unto Joshua the son of Nun, and unto the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel; … Jump to Previous Age-DuringAlwaysCitiesHousesLevitesNeverthelessNotwithstandingPermanentPerpetualPossessPossessionRedeemRedemptionRightTimeTownsJump to Next Age-DuringAlwaysCitiesHousesLevitesNeverthelessNotwithstandingPermanentPerpetualPossessPossessionRedeemRedemptionRightTimeTownsLeviticus 25 1.the Sabbath of the seventh year8.The jubilee in the fiftieth year14.Of oppression18.A blessing of obedience23.The redemption of land29.Of houses35.Compassion to the poor39.The usage of bondmen47.The redemption of servantsAs for the cities of the LevitesThe Levites were one of the twelve tribes of Israel, set apart for religious duties and service in the Tabernacle and later the Temple. Unlike other tribes, they were not given a large contiguous territory but were instead allocated specific cities throughout Israel ( Numbers 35:1-8). These cities served as their dwelling places and centers for their priestly functions. The distribution of these cities ensured that the Levites were spread throughout the land, facilitating their role as spiritual leaders and teachers of the Law. the Levites always have the right to redeem
The concept of redemption in the Old Testament often involves the reclaiming or buying back of property or persons. For the Levites, who did not have a large inheritance of land, the ability to redeem their houses was crucial for maintaining their presence and function within their cities. This provision underscores the importance of the Levites' role and ensures their stability and continuity in serving the community. The right of redemption reflects God's provision and care for those dedicated to His service. their houses in the cities they possess
The houses in the Levitical cities were not just residences but also places where the Levites could perform their duties, including teaching the Law and offering counsel. The possession of these houses was vital for the Levites to fulfill their God-given responsibilities. This provision highlights the unique status of the Levites, who, unlike other Israelites, did not possess agricultural land but were instead supported by the tithes and offerings of the people (Numbers 18:21-24). The ability to redeem their houses ensured that the Levites could maintain their homes and continue their ministry without disruption. Persons / Places / Events 1. LevitesA tribe of Israel set apart for religious duties and service in the Tabernacle and later the Temple. They did not receive a territorial inheritance like the other tribes but were given cities to dwell in. 2. Cities of the LevitesSpecific cities allocated to the Levites throughout the land of Israel. These cities were scattered among the other tribes to ensure the Levites could perform their religious duties and teach the law. 3. RedemptionThe act of buying back or reclaiming something that was sold or lost. In this context, it refers to the Levites' right to reclaim their houses if they had to sell them. Teaching Points God's Provision for His ServantsThe Levites were set apart for God's service and did not receive a land inheritance. However, God provided for them through the allocation of cities. This teaches us that God provides for those who dedicate their lives to His service. The Importance of RedemptionThe right of redemption for the Levites underscores the value of maintaining one's inheritance and the importance of restoration. In a broader sense, it points to the spiritual redemption available through Christ. Community and SupportThe scattering of Levitical cities among the tribes ensured that spiritual guidance and teaching were accessible to all Israelites. This highlights the importance of community support and the role of spiritual leaders in society. Stewardship and ResponsibilityThe Levites' ability to redeem their homes reflects the responsibility of stewardship over what God has entrusted to us. We are called to manage our resources wisely and with an eye toward restoration and redemption. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from Leviticus 25
Who were the 12 tribes of Israel?
What archaeological evidence supports or challenges the specific gatekeepers and their duties described in 1 Chronicles 9:17-27?
Leviticus 27:21: How could God's law ordain that consecrated lands revert to the priests, potentially creating a power imbalance?
How does God's wrath manifest in the Bible?(32) Notwithstanding the cities of the Levites, and the houses.--Better, And as to the cities of the Levites, the houses,that is, the houses which belong to the Levites, in the forty-eight cities given to them (see Numbers 35:1-8; Joshua 21:1-3), are to be exempt from this general law of house property. May the Levites redeem at any time.--Having the same value to the Levites as landed property has to the other tribes, these houses are to be subject to the jubile laws for fields, and hence may be redeemed at any time. Verses 32-34. - The houses of the Levites are, by an exception, subject to the law of jubilee. They constituted the share of the national property which was assigned to the tribe of Levi, and so far stood in the same relation to them as the land did to the other tribes. They therefore returned to the original possessor or his representative in the year of jubilee, and might at any earlier time be redeemed. The words, Notwithstanding the cities of the Levites, should rather be rendered, But in respect to the cities of the Levites. There is a difficulty also as to the translation of the clause, And if a man purchase of the Levites, for the word rendered purchase menus elsewhere redeem; but here the Authorized Version would seem to be correct. The sense that it gives is that if any one bought a house of the Levites, he had to render it back in the year of jubilee, just as though it had been land. On the other hand, the land belonging to the Levites, in the suburbs of the Levitical cities, which was used for the pasturage of the flocks of the Levites, could not be sold except to a Levite, and therefore no question between the Levites and members of the other tribes could arise regarding it. The phrase, the house that was sold, and the city of his possession, must be understood, by a hendiadys, to mean, the house that was sold in the city of his possession (see Gesenius, 'Lex.,' s.v. לְ i.b.).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew As for the citiesוְעָרֵי֙(wə·‘ā·rê)Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 5892:Excitementof the Levites,הַלְוִיִּ֔ם(hal·wî·yim)Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 3881:Levites -- descendant of Levithe Levitesלַלְוִיִּֽם׃(lal·wî·yim)Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 3881:Levites -- descendant of Levialwaysעוֹלָ֖ם(‘ō·w·lām)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5769:Concealed, eternity, frequentatively, alwayshaveתִּהְיֶ֥ה(tih·yeh)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1961:To fall out, come to pass, become, bethe right to redeemגְּאֻלַּ֥ת(gə·’ul·laṯ)Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 1353:Redemption, relationshiptheir housesבָּתֵּ֖י(bāt·tê)Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1004:A housein the citiesעָרֵ֣י(‘ā·rê)Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 5892:Excitementthey possess.אֲחֻזָּתָ֑ם(’ă·ḥuz·zā·ṯām)Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 272:Something seized, a possession
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OT Law: Leviticus 25:32 Nevertheless the cities of the Levites (Le Lv Lev.) |
