47 'Now if the means of a stranger or of a sojourner with you becomes sufficient , and a countryman of yours becomes so poor with regard to him as to sell himself to a stranger who is sojourning with you, or to the descendants of a stranger's family , 48 then he shall have redemption right after he has been sold . One of his brothers may redeem him, 49 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. 50 'He then with his purchaser shall calculate from the year when he sold himself to him up to the year of jubilee ; and the price of his sale shall correspond to the number of years . It is like the days of a hired man that he shall be with him. 51 'If there are still many years , he shall refund part of his purchase price in proportion to them for his own redemption ; 52 and if few years remain until the year of jubilee , he shall so calculate with him. In proportion to his years he is to refund the amount for his redemption . 53 'Like a man hired year by year he shall be with him; he shall not rule over him with severity in your sight . 54 'Even if he is not redeemed by these means, he shall still go out in the year of jubilee , he and his sons with him. 55 'For the sons of Israel are My servants ; they are My servants whom I brought out from the land of Egypt . I am the Lord your God .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Leviticus 25:47-55
Commentary on Leviticus 25:39-55
(Read Leviticus 25:39-55)
A native Israelite, if sold for debt, or for a crime, was to serve but six years, and to go out the seventh. If he sold himself, through poverty, both his work and his usage must be such as were fitting for a son of Abraham. Masters are required to give to their servants that which is just and equal, John 8:32. We cannot ransom our fellow-sinners, but we may point out Christ to them; while by his grace our lives may adorn his gospel, express our love, show our gratitude, and glorify his holy name.