The land shall not be sold for ever: for the land is mine; for ye are strangers and sojourners with me.
The land must not be sold permanently, because the land belongs to me. You are foreigners and temporary residents living with me.
God is reminding the Israelites that they don't truly own the land - they are temporary caretakers of what belongs to Him.
📚 Historical Context
In the book of Leviticus, God gave the Law to the Israelites through Moses after their exodus from Egypt, establishing guidelines for their society in the Promised Land. This verse is part of the instructions for the Year of Jubilee, a special observance every 50 years where land was to be returned to original family owners to prevent permanent inequality and ensure fair distribution. It reflects the cultural understanding that the Israelites were not ultimate owners but tenants under God's authority, emphasizing His sovereignty over the land they inhabited.
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