This verse teaches us to practice fairness in our business dealings, relying on God’s provision and extending care to our neighbors.
When God was establishing economic practices for the Israelites, He included precise instructions on how to set fair prices for land relative to the number of harvests remaining before the Year of Jubilee. Thus, Leviticus 25:16 states, “In proportion to the extent of the years you shall increase its price, and in proportion to the fewness of the years you shall diminish its price; for it is the number of crops he is selling to you.” (v.16). By focusing on the number of harvests—“the number of crops”—the buyer and seller alike were to acknowledge that God owned the land, and they were merely its stewards. This command safeguarded families from oppressive pricing and balanced economic equity among the covenant community.
In this verse, “in proportion to the extent of the years” indicates that a longer period before the land’s return (generally at the Jubilee) increased its value, while fewer years lowered it. Such an arrangement upheld mutual respect for each other’s well-being and protected a love-your-neighbor culture that God desired for Israel. Avoiding unjust profit in land transactions guarded against exploiting the vulnerable, which ZEC_8_14 teaches is the opposite of God’s command for His people to act truthfully and do no harm to one another.
Further, the directive “for it is the number of crops he is selling to you” recognizes that the true wealth of the land lay in its ability to sustain lives. Any who tried to manipulate these guidelines violated the spirit of justice and fellowship intended by the Lord. Jesus later emphasized a similar principle, teaching His disciples to value each other’s needs and refrain from greed as they stored up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21). Such harmony in economic dealings fostered a national unity purposed for abundant life under God’s covenant.
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Leviticus 25:16 meaning
When God was establishing economic practices for the Israelites, He included precise instructions on how to set fair prices for land relative to the number of harvests remaining before the Year of Jubilee. Thus, Leviticus 25:16 states, “In proportion to the extent of the years you shall increase its price, and in proportion to the fewness of the years you shall diminish its price; for it is the number of crops he is selling to you.” (v.16). By focusing on the number of harvests—“the number of crops”—the buyer and seller alike were to acknowledge that God owned the land, and they were merely its stewards. This command safeguarded families from oppressive pricing and balanced economic equity among the covenant community.
In this verse, “in proportion to the extent of the years” indicates that a longer period before the land’s return (generally at the Jubilee) increased its value, while fewer years lowered it. Such an arrangement upheld mutual respect for each other’s well-being and protected a love-your-neighbor culture that God desired for Israel. Avoiding unjust profit in land transactions guarded against exploiting the vulnerable, which ZEC_8_14 teaches is the opposite of God’s command for His people to act truthfully and do no harm to one another.
Further, the directive “for it is the number of crops he is selling to you” recognizes that the true wealth of the land lay in its ability to sustain lives. Any who tried to manipulate these guidelines violated the spirit of justice and fellowship intended by the Lord. Jesus later emphasized a similar principle, teaching His disciples to value each other’s needs and refrain from greed as they stored up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21). Such harmony in economic dealings fostered a national unity purposed for abundant life under God’s covenant.