But if he makes a gift out of his inheritance to one of his servants, it shall be his to the year of liberty: If, on the other hand, the king gives some of his land to one of his servants, that is, someone who works for him and is not part of his family line, the land will remain the servant’s property only until the year of liberty. The year of liberty refers to “the Year of Restoration” (Good News Translation), or “the Year of Jubilee” (New International Reader’s Version, New Living Translation), when the Israelites had to free all their Israelite slaves and return all land to its original owners (see Lev 25.8-17, 23-34). This was to happen every fiftieth year. The year of liberty may be rendered “the year of freedom” (New Century Version) or “the year when you must set slaves free and give land back.” Servants may be translated “workers” or “officials.”

Then it shall revert to the prince: Then refers to the year of freedom. At that time the land that the king gave to his servants will return to the ownership of the king’s family. The aim of this rule was so that the king’s family would never permanently lose their family property.

Only his sons may keep a gift from his inheritance: Good News Translation renders this clause clearly, saying “It belongs to him, and only he and his sons can own it permanently.”

Quoted with permission from Gross, Carl & Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on Ezekiel. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2016. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .