Leviticus 25:55 Meaning and Explanation
“For unto me the children of Israel are servants; they are my servants whom I brought forth out of the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →All Israelites belong to God, who freed them from Egypt; no other master can claim them permanently.
The Context of Leviticus 25:55
God's ownership of Israel, established in the exodus, forbids permanent servitude.
What Does Leviticus 25:55 Mean?
This closing affirmation reiterates the covenantal foundation of all Leviticus 25's rules. God has redeemed Israel; God owns them. No human institution—poverty, foreign master, or economic hardship—can overturn that ownership. Israelites are servants of God alone.
The exodus is the guarantor of freedom. Just as God brought Israel out of Egypt, God's law ensures that no Israelite can fall back into permanent slavery. Jubilee flows directly from redemptive history.
Leviticus 25:55 in the Original Language
ebed (עֶבֶד), 'servants' — literally, slaves or servants; the word recalls the exodus narrative where Israel was enslaved to Pharaoh.
Frequently Asked Questions About Leviticus 25:55
What does Leviticus 25:55 mean?
All Israelites belong to God, who freed them from Egypt; no other master can claim them permanently.
What is the context of Leviticus 25:55?
God's ownership of Israel, established in the exodus, forbids permanent servitude.