This verse is difficult to understand. There are two possible interpretations that are quite different: it is grammatically possible that the subject of the verb “sell” is not the same as the subject of “redeem.” In this case the verse means “If he [the owner] does not want to buy the field back, and someone [one of the priests?] sells it, it can no longer be redeemed.” But it is much more likely that the owner is the subject of both verbs. The meaning is then that the owner, after having dedicated his field to God, then sold it to someone else. This of course implies that the field was not really under the control of the priests but remained in the hands of the person who dedicated it (see verse 16). So the owner, who had failed to fulfill his agreement, would be punished by never again being able to buy the land back. This is the interpretation followed by almost all versions consulted.

But: since the description of the sale of the field, which follows, contrasts with its redemption in the previous verses, it is advisable in some languages to use a connecting word that marks this contrast.

It shall not be redeemed any more: this passive construction may be rendered actively as “they [indefinite] will never allow him to redeem it” or “he can never buy it back.”

Quoted with permission from Péter-Contesse, René and Ellington, John. A Handbook on Leviticus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1990. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .