Lev 25:23 | NET2full | STEP | The land must not be sold without reclaim because the land belongs to me, for you are foreign residents , temporary settlers , with me.

Leviticus 25:23

23 The land must not be sold without reclaim ^{▼▼tn The term rendered “without reclaim” means that the land has been bought for the full price and is, therefore, not subject to reclaim under any circumstances. This was not to be done with land in ancient Israel (contrast the final full sale of houses in v. 30; see the evidence cited in B. A. Levine, Leviticus [JPSTC], 174).} because the land belongs to me, for you are foreign residents, temporary settlers, with me. ^{▼▼tn The Hebrew terms ger (גֵּר; “resident foreigner”) and toshav (תּוֹשָׁב; “resident/dweller”) have similar meaning. The toshav was less integrated into Israelite society, had less rights, and had not fully committed to the religion of Israel. But in this context the terms are used simply to emphasize that Israel would be a guest on God’s land. They were attached to the Lord’s household. They did not own the land.} ^{▼▼sn Abraham refers to himself by these terms in Gen 23:4. Ps 39:12 and 1 Chr 29:15 take up this language from Lev 25:23.}