Leviticus 25:23

25:23 The land must not be sold without reclaim ¹  because the land belongs to me, for you are foreigners and residents with me. ² 

Acts 4:36-37

4:36 So Joseph, a Levite who was a native of Cyprus, called by the apostles Barnabas (which is translated “son of encouragement”), ³  4:37 sold ⁴  a field ⁵  that belonged to him and brought the money ⁶  and placed it at the apostles’ feet.

¹ 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).

² tn That is, the Israelites were strangers and residents who were attached to the Lord’s household. They did not own the land. Note the parallel to the “priest’s lodger” in Lev 22:10.

³ sn This is a parenthetical note by the author. Note how the actions of Barnabas are in keeping with the meaning of his nickname. He stands in contrast to Ananias and Sapphira in 5:1-11.

⁴ tn Grk “selling a field that belonged to him, brought” The participle πωλήσας (pwlhsa") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.

⁵ tn Or “a farm.”

⁶ tn Normally a reference to actual coins (“currency”). See L&N 6.68.