Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, the concept of a lease, as understood in contemporary terms, is not explicitly detailed in Scripture. However, principles related to leasing can be inferred from various passages that discuss land use, property rights, and stewardship. The idea of leasing involves a temporary transfer of property rights from one party to another, typically in exchange for payment or a share of the produce.
Old Testament ContextThe Old Testament provides several examples of land use and agreements that resemble leasing arrangements. The Mosaic Law contains provisions for land ownership and use, particularly in the context of the Promised Land.
Leviticus 25 outlines the Year of Jubilee, a time when land was to be returned to its original family owners. This indicates a temporary transfer of land rights, akin to a lease, as land could be "sold" but would ultimately revert to the original family.
In the parable of the vineyard in
Isaiah 5:1-7, the vineyard owner represents God, and the vineyard symbolizes Israel. The owner leases the vineyard to tenants, expecting them to produce fruit. This parable illustrates the concept of stewardship and accountability, as the tenants are expected to manage the vineyard responsibly and return a portion of the produce to the owner.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, Jesus uses parables to convey spiritual truths, some of which involve leasing-like arrangements. The Parable of the Tenants (
Matthew 21:33-41,
Mark 12:1-9,
Luke 20:9-16) is a direct reference to the leasing of a vineyard. In this parable, a landowner leases his vineyard to tenants and goes away. When the time comes to collect his share of the produce, the tenants refuse to give it and mistreat the servants sent by the owner. This parable highlights themes of stewardship, accountability, and judgment.
Principles of StewardshipThe biblical concept of stewardship is closely related to the idea of leasing. Believers are seen as stewards of God's creation, entrusted with resources to manage and use for His glory. This stewardship involves responsibility, accountability, and the recognition that all property ultimately belongs to God.
Psalm 24:1 states, "The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof, the world and all who dwell therein."
Economic and Social ImplicationsIn ancient Israel, land was a critical economic resource, and its use was governed by laws that ensured fair treatment and provision for the poor. The gleaning laws (
Leviticus 19:9-10) allowed the poor to gather leftover crops, reflecting a system of social justice and care for the needy. These laws can be seen as a form of leasing, where landowners temporarily relinquish control over part of their harvest for the benefit of others.
ConclusionWhile the Bible does not explicitly mention leasing as a formalized legal arrangement, the principles of temporary land use, stewardship, and accountability are evident throughout Scripture. These principles provide a framework for understanding the biblical perspective on property rights and responsibilities.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. i.) To gather what harvesters have left behind; to glean.
2. (v. t.) To grant to another by lease the possession of, as of lands, tenements, and hereditaments; to let; to demise; as, a landowner leases a farm to a tenant; -- sometimes with out.
3. (v. t.) To hold under a lease; to take lease of; as, a tenant leases his land from the owner.
4. (n.) A demise or letting of lands, tenements, or hereditaments to another for life, for a term of years, or at will, or for any less interest than that which the lessor has in the property, usually for a specified rent or compensation.
5. (n.) The contract for such letting.
6. (v. t.) Any tenure by grant or permission; the time for which such a tenure holds good; allotted time.
Greek
1554. ekdidomi -- to give up, give out, let out for hire... let forth, let out. From ek and didomi; to give forth, ie (specially) to
lease --
let forth (out). see GREEK ek. see GREEK didomi. (ekdosetai) -- 1 Occurrence.
...Library
MethodistsLease an Abbey
... Chapter 8. Wesley and the Soldiers; In Ireland and Wales Again; Wesley Burned
in Effigy; Wesley as an Editor MethodistsLease an Abbey....
Of the Nature of Tithes.
... A FreeholdLease of tithes cannot commence in futuro. Yelv.131.1
Gwill.221. Alease of tithes for all the time the lessor shall...
Mission Work in Chicago
... brother said that if he could not get his prayers through for money to pay the rent,
he would pray that God would make the landlord willing to give up thelease...
John Christopher Hartwick.
... "Thelease was to contain a clause pledging every colonist to unite with the church
within a year; to recognize Pastor Hartwick or his representative as his...
The Wicked Husbandmen.
... owner did not continue to reside on the spot and cultivate his own vineyard; "he
let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country." Thislease, granted by...
The Godly are in Some Sense Already Blessed
... A man that has the reversion of a house, after a shortlease is run out, he
looks upon it as his already. This house, says he, is mine....
The Hidden Treasure.
... Without revealing, perhaps not knowing to the full extent the value of his discovery,
he forthwith concluded, not precisely a purchase, but a longlease of the...
"Come Thou and all Thy House into the Ark. "
... And when they came to sign alease they would say with a twinkle in their
eyes:... But I guess I will sign thelease and risk it."....
The Glorious Habitation
... Here is a habitation: "Lord, thou hast been our dwelling-place;" and, secondly,
if I may use such a common word, here is thelease of it: "Thou hast been our...
Testimonies to a Future Judgment.
... To breathe it forth in feeble human speech.". And Euripides: [2603] ". "Not grudgingly
he gives alease of life,. That we the holders may be fairly judged;...
Thesaurus
Lease (2 Occurrences)... 2. (vt) To grant to another by
lease the possession of, as of lands, tenements,
and hereditaments; to let; to demise; as, a landowner leases a farm to a tenant
...Farm (9 Occurrences)
... products. 2. (a. & n.) The term or tenure of alease of land for cultivation;
a leasehold. 3. (a. & n.) The land held underlease...
Leased (3 Occurrences)
... (imp. & pp) ofLease.... (WEB). Exodus 22:15 If its owner is with it, he shall not make
it good. If it is a leased thing, it came for itslease. (WEB)....
Release (61 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) Tolease again; to grant a newlease
of; to let back. 2. (n.) To let loose again; to set free...
Learnt (12 Occurrences)
Vineyard (69 Occurrences)
... Matthew 21:41 They told him, "He will miserably destroy those miserable men, and
willlease out the vineyard to other farmers, who will give him the fruit in...
Kain (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) Poultry, etc., required by thelease to be paid in
kind by a tenant to his landlord. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. KAIN (1)....
Let (16815 Occurrences)
... 9. (vt) To allow to be used or occupied for a compensation; tolease; to rent; to
hire out; -- often with out; as, to let a farm; to let a house; to let out...
Farmers (23 Occurrences)
... Matthew 21:41 They told him, "He will miserably destroy those miserable men, and
willlease out the vineyard to other farmers, who will give him the fruit in...
Fine (184 Occurrences)
... 18. (n.) A sum of money or price paid for obtaining a benefit, favor, or privilege,
as for admission to a copyhold, or for obtaining or renewing alease. 19....
Resources
What is the difference between a covenant and a contract? | GotQuestions.orgLease: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
