The Year of Jubile (Leviticus 25:9)

2023-03-07

Then shalt thou cause the trumpet of the jubile to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month, in the day of atonement shall ye make the trumpet sound throughout all your land. (Leviticus 25:9)

The year of jubilee (or shouting) was celebrated after seven sabbath years, or every fifty years. A trumpet was sounded on that year on the “tenth day of the seventh month.” Does that sound familiar? This is also the Day of Atonement.

In this year, there would be no sowing or reaping. Every person would return to the land of their inheritance. Debts were forgiven and slaves were set free. “But if he be not able to restore it to him, then that which is sold shall remain in the hand of him that hath bought it until the year of jubile: and in the jubile it shall go out, and he shall return unto his possession” (Leviticus 25:28). “And if thy brother that dwelleth by thee be waxen poor, and be sold unto thee; thou shalt not compel him to serve as a bondservant: But as an hired servant, and as a sojourner, he shall be with thee, and shall serve thee unto the year of jubile: And then shall he depart from thee, both he and his children with him, and shall return unto his own family, and unto the possession of his fathers shall he return” (Leviticus 25:39-41).

It is a beautiful picture we see in this tenth day of the seventh month. All sin is forgiven before the Lord and all debts and bondage are released. This is also when the high priest goes into the presence of the Lord on behalf of the people. These two concepts go together excellently.