Bible Strands
Leviticus 25:47
If a foreigner residing among you prospers, but your countryman dwelling near him becomes destitute and sells himself to the foreigner or to a member of his clan,
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — God instructs Moses and the Israelites at Sinai on economic regulations within the covenant community. The verse addresses a specific legal scenario where a resident alien's financial success intersects with an Israelite's poverty.
The words — The text uses תַשִּׂ֗יג (ta.Sig, "it will reach") and יַד (yad, "hand") to depict the foreigner's prosperity, while אָחִי/ךָ ('a.Chi./kha, "your brother") identifies the impoverished Israelite. These terms frame the transaction as a covenant-bound economic contingency rather than a general market practice.
The thread — This provision runs parallel to Leviticus 25:26 on land redemption, 1 Samuel 2:7 on divine control over wealth and poverty, and James 2:5 on the poor inheriting the kingdom.
Why it lands — The verse states that a destitute Israelite may legally sell himself to a foreigner or his clan, establishing a boundaried exception to normal servitude rules. It requires readers to acknowledge economic desperation while maintaining the legal distinction between covenant members and resident aliens.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And if a sojourner or stranger wax rich by thee, and thy brother that dwelleth by him wax poor, and sell himself unto the stranger or sojourner by thee, or to the stock of the stranger’s family:
Cross-references
- Leviticus 25:26 Or if a man has no one to redeem it for him, but he prospers and acquires enough to redeem his land,
- 1 Samuel 2:7 The LORD sends poverty and wealth; He humbles and He exalts.
- James 2:5 Listen, my beloved brothers: Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him?