Leviticus 25:16

You shall increase the price in proportion to a greater number of years, or decrease it in proportion to a lesser number of years; for he is selling you a given number of harvests.

Study Bible

You shall increase the price in proportion to a greater number of years
This phrase refers to the economic principle of valuing land based on the number of years remaining until the next Jubilee. The Jubilee, occurring every 50 years, was a time when land was returned to its original family owners (Leviticus 25:10). This system ensured that the price of land was fair and just, reflecting the potential productivity of the land until the Jubilee. The principle underscores the importance of fairness and justice in economic transactions, a theme consistent throughout Scripture (Proverbs 11:1). It also highlights the temporary stewardship of land, reminding the Israelites that the land ultimately belongs to God (Leviticus 25:23).

or decrease it in proportion to a lesser number of years
This part of the verse emphasizes the inverse relationship between the number of years until the Jubilee and the price of the land. As the Jubilee approached, the value of the land decreased because the buyer would have fewer harvests before the land reverted to its original owner. This system prevented exploitation and ensured that the poor could regain their ancestral land, reflecting God's concern for social justice and care for the marginalized (Isaiah 61:1-2). It also foreshadows the ultimate redemption and restoration found in Christ, who restores what is lost and brings freedom to captives (Luke 4:18-19).

for he is selling you a given number of harvests
This phrase clarifies that the transaction is not about the land itself but the number of harvests it can produce before the Jubilee. The focus on harvests ties the economic value directly to the land's productivity, which was crucial in an agrarian society. This perspective aligns with the biblical principle of sowing and reaping (Galatians 6:7) and the understanding that God is the provider of all resources (Deuteronomy 8:18). It also points to the spiritual harvest that believers are called to participate in, as Jesus spoke of the fields being ripe for harvest (John 4:35), symbolizing the gathering of souls into God's kingdom.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Moses
The prophet and leader of the Israelites who received the laws from God, including those in Leviticus.

2. Israelites
The chosen people of God to whom the laws in Leviticus were given.

3. The Promised Land
The land of Canaan, which God promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

4. Sabbath Year
Every seventh year, the land was to rest, and debts were to be forgiven.

5. Year of Jubilee
Every fiftieth year, liberty was proclaimed throughout the land, and properties were returned to their original owners.

Teaching Points

Understanding God's Economic Principles
God's laws in Leviticus 25 teach us about fairness and justice in economic transactions. The principle of adjusting prices based on the number of harvests until the Jubilee reflects God's concern for equity and the well-being of all community members.

The Temporary Nature of Earthly Possessions
The instructions in Leviticus 25 remind us that earthly possessions are temporary. As Christians, we are called to focus on eternal values and to hold our material goods loosely, recognizing that they ultimately belong to God.

Practicing Fairness and Integrity
In our business dealings and personal finances, we should strive to practice fairness and integrity, ensuring that our actions reflect God's justice and compassion.

Trusting in God's Provision
The laws regarding the Sabbath Year and the Year of Jubilee encourage us to trust in God's provision. By following His commands, the Israelites demonstrated their faith that God would provide for their needs.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the principle of adjusting prices based on the number of harvests until the Jubilee reflect God's character and His concern for justice?

2. In what ways can we apply the concept of the Year of Jubilee to our modern economic practices and personal financial decisions?

3. How does the temporary nature of property ownership in Leviticus 25 challenge our perspective on material possessions today?

4. What are some practical ways we can demonstrate fairness and integrity in our financial dealings, both personally and professionally?

5. How can trusting in God's provision, as seen in the laws of the Sabbath Year and Jubilee, impact our approach to financial planning and generosity?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Leviticus 25:10
This verse introduces the Year of Jubilee, which is the context for the pricing instructions in verse 16.

Deuteronomy 15:1-2
Discusses the release of debts every seven years, which parallels the concept of adjusting prices based on time until the Jubilee.

Matthew 6:19-21
Jesus teaches about storing treasures in heaven rather than on earth, which relates to the temporary nature of earthly possessions highlighted in Leviticus 25.

James 5:1-6
Warns against hoarding wealth and exploiting others, echoing the fair economic practices encouraged in Leviticus 25.