Leviticus 25:49
New International Version
An uncle or a cousin or any blood relative in their clan may redeem them. Or if they prosper, they may redeem themselves.

New Living Translation
an uncle, or a cousin. In fact, anyone from the extended family may buy them back. They may also redeem themselves if they have prospered.

English Standard Version
or his uncle or his cousin may redeem him, or a close relative from his clan may redeem him. Or if he grows rich he may redeem himself.

Berean Standard Bible
either his uncle or cousin or any close relative from his clan may redeem him. Or if he prospers, he may redeem himself.

King James Bible
Either his uncle, or his uncle's son, may redeem him, or any that is nigh of kin unto him of his family may redeem him; or if he be able, he may redeem himself.

New King James Version
or his uncle or his uncle’s son may redeem him; or anyone who is near of kin to him in his family may redeem him; or if he is able he may redeem himself.

New American Standard Bible
or his uncle, or his uncle’s son may redeem him, or one of his blood relatives from his family may redeem him; or if he prospers, he may redeem himself.

NASB 1995
or his uncle, or his uncle’s son, may redeem him, or one of his blood relatives from his family may redeem him; or if he prospers, he may redeem himself.

NASB 1977
or his uncle, or his uncle’s son, may redeem him, or one of his blood relatives from his family may redeem him; or if he prospers, he may redeem himself.

Legacy Standard Bible
or his uncle or his uncle’s son may redeem him, or one of his blood relatives from his family may redeem him; or if he prospers, he may redeem himself.

Amplified Bible
either his uncle or his uncle’s son may redeem him, or one of his blood relatives from his family may redeem him; or if he prospers, he may redeem himself.

Christian Standard Bible
His uncle or cousin may redeem him, or any of his close relatives from his clan may redeem him. If he prospers, he may redeem himself.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
His uncle or cousin may redeem him, or any of his close relatives from his clan may redeem him. If he prospers, he may redeem himself.

American Standard Version
or his uncle, or his uncle's son, may redeem him, or any that is nigh of kin unto him of his family may redeem him; or if he be waxed rich, he may redeem himself.

Contemporary English Version
or uncle or cousin, or some other family member. In fact, if you ever get enough money, you may buy your own freedom

English Revised Version
or his uncle, or his uncle's son, may redeem him, or any that is nigh of kin unto him of his family may redeem him; or if he be waxen rich, he may redeem himself.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
His uncle, his cousin, or some other relative could also buy him back. If he becomes rich, he could buy his own freedom.

Good News Translation
or an uncle or a cousin or another close relative may buy them back; or if they themselves earn enough, they may buy their own freedom.

International Standard Version
His uncle or his uncle's son may redeem him or any blood relative from his tribe may redeem him. If he becomes rich, then he may redeem himself.

Majority Standard Bible
either his uncle or cousin or any close relative from his clan may redeem him. Or if he prospers, he may redeem himself.

NET Bible
or his uncle or his cousin may redeem him, or anyone of the rest of his blood relatives--his family--may redeem him, or if he prospers he may redeem himself.

New Heart English Bible
or his uncle, or his uncle's son, may redeem him, or any who is a close relative to him of his family may redeem him; or if he has grown rich, he may redeem himself.

Webster's Bible Translation
Either his uncle, or his uncle's son may redeem him, or any that is nigh of kin to him of his family, may redeem him; or if he is able, he may redeem himself.

World English Bible
or his uncle, or his uncle’s son, may redeem him, or any who is a close relative to him of his family may redeem him; or if he has grown rich, he may redeem himself.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
or his uncle or a son of his uncle redeems him, or any of the relations of his flesh, of his family, redeems him, or [if] his own hand has attained [means] then he has been redeemed.

Young's Literal Translation
or his uncle, or a son of his uncle, doth redeem him, or any of the relations of his flesh, of his family, doth redeem him, or -- his own hand hath attained -- then he hath been redeemed.

Smith's Literal Translation
Or his uncle, or his uncle's son shall redeem him, or from the remainder of his flesh from his family, shall redeem him; or his hand attained, and he redeemed himself.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Either his uncle, or his uncle's son, or his kinsman, by blood, or by affinity. But if he himself be able also, he shall redeem himself,

Catholic Public Domain Version
either the paternal uncle, or the paternal uncle’s son, or his close relative, by blood or by affinity. But if he himself will be able also, he shall redeem himself,

New American Bible
by an uncle or cousin, or by some other relative from their family; or, having acquired the means, they may pay the redemption price themselves.

New Revised Standard Version
or their uncle or their uncle’s son may redeem them, or anyone of their family who is of their own flesh may redeem them; or if they prosper they may redeem themselves.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Either his uncle or his uncle's son may redeem him, or any of his near kin belonging to his family may redeem him; or if he can afford it, he may redeem himself.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Or a paternal uncle, or the son of a paternal uncle shall redeem him; one near of his flesh from his tribe shall redeem him, and if he shall have enough in his hands he shall be redeemed.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
or his uncle, or his uncle's son, may redeem him, or any that is nigh of kin unto him of his family may redeem him; or if he be waxen rich, he may redeem himself.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
A brother of his father, or a son of his father's brother shall redeem him; or let one of his near kin of his tribe redeem him, and if he should be rich and redeem himself,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Redemption of Servants
48he retains the right of redemption after he has sold himself. One of his brothers may redeem him: 49either his uncle or cousin or any close relative from his clan may redeem him. Or if he prospers, he may redeem himself. 50He and his purchaser will then count the time from the year he sold himself up to the Year of Jubilee. The price of his sale will be determined by the number of years, based on the daily wages of a hired hand.…

Cross References
Ruth 4:4-6
I thought I should inform you that you may buy it back in the presence of those seated here and in the presence of the elders of my people. If you want to redeem it, do so. But if you will not redeem it, tell me so I may know, because there is no one but you to redeem it, and I am next after you.” “I will redeem it,” he replied. / Then Boaz said, “On the day you buy the land from Naomi and also from Ruth the Moabitess, you must also acquire the widow of the deceased in order to raise up the name of the deceased on his inheritance.” / The kinsman-redeemer replied, “I cannot redeem it myself, or I would jeopardize my own inheritance. Take my right of redemption, because I cannot redeem it.”

Nehemiah 5:8
and said, “We have done our best to buy back our Jewish brothers who were sold to foreigners, but now you are selling your own brothers, that they may be sold back to us!” But they remained silent, for they could find nothing to say.

Jeremiah 32:7-8
Behold! 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.

Galatians 4:4-5
But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, / to redeem those under the law, that we might receive our adoption as sons.

Isaiah 52:3
For this is what the LORD says: “You were sold for nothing, and without money you will be redeemed.”

1 Corinthians 6:20
you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body.

Exodus 6:6
Therefore tell the Israelites: ‘I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians and deliver you from their bondage. I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment.

Ephesians 1:7
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace

Psalm 49:7-8
No man can possibly redeem his brother or pay his ransom to God. / For the redemption of his soul is costly, and never can payment suffice,

Romans 3:24
and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

Isaiah 43:1
But now, this is what the LORD says—He who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine!

1 Peter 1:18-19
For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers, / but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot.

Job 19:25
But I know that my Redeemer lives, and in the end He will stand upon the earth.

Colossians 1:14
in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Isaiah 44:22
I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud, and your sins like a mist. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you.


Treasury of Scripture

Either his uncle, or his uncle's son, may redeem him, or any that is near of kin to him of his family may redeem him; or if he be able, he may redeem himself.

or if he be

Leviticus 25:26
And if the man have none to redeem it, and himself be able to redeem it;

Jump to Previous
Able Attained Belonging Blood Clan Close Cousin Either Family Father's Flesh Gets Grown Grows Hand Kin Kinsman Means Money Nigh Prospers Redeem Relation Relations Relative Relatives Rich Sufficient Uncle Uncle's Waxed Waxen
Jump to Next
Able Attained Belonging Blood Clan Close Cousin Either Family Father's Flesh Gets Grown Grows Hand Kin Kinsman Means Money Nigh Prospers Redeem Relation Relations Relative Relatives Rich Sufficient Uncle Uncle's Waxed Waxen
Leviticus 25
1. the Sabbath of the seventh year
8. The jubilee in the fiftieth year
14. Of oppression
18. A blessing of obedience
23. The redemption of land
29. Of houses
35. Compassion to the poor
39. The usage of bondmen
47. The redemption of servants














either his uncle or cousin or any close relative from his clan may redeem him.
In the context of Leviticus 25, the concept of redemption is tied to the Year of Jubilee, a time when debts were forgiven, and land was returned to its original family owners. The mention of an "uncle or cousin or any close relative" highlights the importance of family and kinship in ancient Israelite society. The Hebrew term "goel" (redeemer) is significant here, as it refers to a family member who has the responsibility to restore the economic and social well-being of a relative. This practice ensured that families could maintain their inheritance and social standing. The role of the redeemer is a precursor to the concept of Jesus Christ as the ultimate Redeemer, who restores humanity's relationship with God. The idea of a close relative stepping in to redeem is also seen in the story of Ruth and Boaz, where Boaz acts as a kinsman-redeemer.

Or if he prospers, he may redeem himself.
This phrase introduces the possibility of self-redemption, which underscores the value of personal responsibility and initiative. In the ancient Near Eastern context, economic hardship could lead to a person selling themselves into servitude. However, the provision for self-redemption allowed individuals the opportunity to regain their freedom and property if their circumstances improved. This reflects the biblical principle of hope and restoration, emphasizing that one's current situation is not necessarily permanent. Theologically, this can be seen as a metaphor for spiritual redemption, where individuals are encouraged to seek reconciliation with God. The notion of self-redemption also aligns with the broader biblical theme of repentance and renewal, as seen in passages like 2 Chronicles 7:14, where turning back to God leads to healing and restoration.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Uncle or Cousin
These family members are mentioned as potential redeemers, highlighting the importance of family responsibility and kinship in ancient Israelite society.

2. Close Relative
This term broadens the scope of who can act as a redeemer, emphasizing the communal and familial obligations within the clan.

3. The Redeemed Individual
This person is in a situation of servitude or debt, and the passage outlines the means by which they can be freed.

4. The Clan
Represents the extended family unit in Israel, which plays a crucial role in social and economic support systems.

5. Redemption
A key event or process in this context, involving the liberation of an individual from debt or servitude through the intervention of a family member or personal prosperity.
Teaching Points
The Role of Family in Redemption
The passage underscores the responsibility of family members to support and redeem one another, reflecting God's design for community and mutual aid.

Personal Responsibility and Prosperity
The provision for self-redemption highlights the importance of personal responsibility and the potential for individuals to improve their circumstances through diligence and God's blessing.

Spiritual Redemption
This physical redemption serves as a foreshadowing of the spiritual redemption offered through Christ, encouraging believers to reflect on their own redemption from sin.

Community Support Systems
The text encourages the development of strong community support systems, where members actively seek the welfare of one another, mirroring the biblical model.

God's Provision and Sovereignty
The ability to redeem oneself or be redeemed by a family member is ultimately a reflection of God's provision and sovereignty in the lives of His people.(49) Either his uncle, or his uncle's son, may redeem him.--That is, any of his relatives are to redeem him, which is not the case when an Israelite sells himself to one of his own nation. Hence the Jewish canons enacted that "if a Hebrew is sold to a stranger, and is unable to redeem himself, his kinsmen must redeem, nay, the Sanhedrin are to compel his kinsmen to redeem him lest he should be lost among the heathen. If his kindred do not redeem him, and if he cannot redeem himself, every man of Israel is commanded to redeem him. But if he is sold to an Israelite his kindred may not redeem him, nor may he borrow money to redeem himself, nor redeem himself by instalments." In accordance with this injunction we find the Jews declare "we after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews which were sold unto the heathen, and will ye even sell your brethren, or shall they be sold unto us?" (Nehemiah 5:8).



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
either
אוֹ־ (’ōw-)
Conjunction
Strong's 176: Desire, if

his uncle
דֹד֞וֹ (ḏō·ḏōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1730: To love, a love-token, lover, friend, an uncle

or
א֤וֹ (’ōw)
Conjunction
Strong's 176: Desire, if

cousin,
בֶן־ (ḇen-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

or
אֽוֹ־ (’ōw-)
Conjunction
Strong's 176: Desire, if

any close relative
מִשְּׁאֵ֧ר (miš·šə·’êr)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7607: Flesh, as living, for, food, food of any kind, kindred by blood

from his clan,
מִמִּשְׁפַּחְתּ֖וֹ (mim·miš·paḥ·tōw)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4940: A family, circle of relatives, a class, a species, sort, a tribe, people

may redeem him.
יִגְאָלֶ֑נּוּ (yiḡ·’ā·len·nū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1350: To redeem, act as kinsman

Or if
אֽוֹ־ (’ōw-)
Conjunction
Strong's 176: Desire, if

he prospers,
הִשִּׂ֥יגָה (hiś·śî·ḡāh)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 5381: To reach, overtake

he may redeem himself.
וְנִגְאָֽל׃ (wə·niḡ·’āl)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1350: To redeem, act as kinsman


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OT Law: Leviticus 25:49 Or his uncle or his uncle's son (Le Lv Lev.)
Leviticus 25:48
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