To Whom Belongs the Land?: Leviticus 25 in an African Liberationist Reading(23 Bible and Theology in Africa)

The main question of this book, which focuses on the role of the Old Testament in the South African context, is: If reread from an African liberationist perspective in the context of land redistribution and socio-economic justice in South Africa, could the Israelite Jubilee legislation in Leviticus 25:8-55 offer liberating and empowering possibilities for the poor in South Africa? The exegesis of Leviticus 25:8-55 in which the historical-critical method is employed lays the foundation for the contextualisation of the issues arising from the exegesis. Furthermore, within the African liberationist framework, the South African context serves as a lens to interpret Leviticus 25:8-55. The striking parallels between the contexts from which the text of Leviticus 25:8-55 emerged and the context of the modern reader of the Bible in South Africa are shown. In the end, it is argued that when re-read from an African liberationist perspective and in the context of the land redistribution and socio-economic justice discourse, Leviticus 25:8-55 can contribute positively to the redress of inequality and consequently to poverty alleviation in South Africa.

About the Author :
Ndikho Mtshiselwa is Associate Professor of the Old Testament in the Department of Biblical and Ancient Studies at the University of South Africa. He holds a doctoral degree from the University of South Africa. His area of research is the Old Testament (Pentateuch).

Review :
"The question of the land and of land ownership is a crucial issue in the Hebrew Bible, and also in many modern societies. Ndikho Mtshiselwa contributes to this debate by a careful examination of Leviticus 25, one of the most important biblical text about the question of justice and land. This book offers a very challenging combination of a socio-historical reading of the chapter in its original context and an analysis of this chapter in the context of the present South African society. A must read for every scholar and student interested in contextual reading that is informed by serious historical-critical scholarship."--Thomas Römer, Chaire "Milieux bibliques," Vice-Administrateur Collège de France; Professor, Faculty of Theology and Sciences of Religion, University of Lausanne "In this study, Ndikho Mtshiselwa recognises that the land question is at the heart of the socio-economic challenges that are currently gripping South Africa. He correctly apportions some of the blame to colonialism and apartheid, which seem to be kept alive through the neo-liberal policies that were adopted by the ruling government of the day. These are the very policies that are the outcome of a negotiated settlement which safeguarded and appeased those who unscrupulously controlled and continue to control the vast economic resources of South Africa. Employing the Jubilee principles as contained in Leviticus 25:8-55, Mtshiselwa starts a conversation on the question of land in South Africa and argues that impetus for such a conversation is informed by the Jubilee principles. The arguments made in this study on the land question and its interaction with the biblical Jubilee principles are clear and lucid. One immediately recognises the immense influence that Black Theology of Liberation has had on the author in the arguments set forth. This study is a thoughtful and in-depth contribution to black theological scholarship in present day South Africa. It is particularly paramount in a time of numerous calls for the Africanization of knowledge production in South Africa. Anyone who is serious about the issues of poverty, the land question in South Africa, the economic disparities between Blacks and Whites in South Africa, among others, must wrestle with this text."--Rothney S Tshaka, Director of the School of Humanities and Professor of Theological Ethics and Systematic Theology, University of South Africa