The Jubilee in Leviticus 25: A Theological Ethical Interpretation from a South African Perspective

The English idiom "once bitten twice shy" comes to mind in this study, where Esias Meyer argues that biblical critics have an ethical responsibility to explore the oppressive potential of biblical texts. He does this in the light of the apartheid history and especially the way in which biblical texts were used to both justify and criticise apartheid. An ideological critique of Leviticus 25 is presented, which starts with a thorough synchronic reading and ends with a possible socio-historical context. This interpretation largely disturbs the liberating image that the text has, but is an attempt to be more honest about the way in which theologians could use biblical texts to contribute to a better world.