25:23 land is mine. Although God gave Israel the land as one of His good gifts to them to be enjoyed (Deut. 6:10–12; 8:10–13), He still retained final ownership and so might terminate the lease should the people prove undesirable tenants. They did not possess the land as an inalienable right but within the structures of a covenantal relationship with God. The land was not private property to be bought and sold. It symbolized life with God.