SPECIAL REGIME FOR ACQUISITION OF OWNERSHIP OF A LAND PLOT ACCORDING TO THE LEGISLATION AND IN THE BIBLICAL MESSAGES

Abstract

The scientific article provides a comprehensive analysis of the legal regime for acquiring ownership of a land plot in Ukraine, supplementing it with a deep comparison with the principles laid down in the biblical epistles. The study argues that land, regardless of the historical and cultural context, has always been perceived as a unique and valuable asset that goes beyond a purely commercial object. According to the Constitution of Ukraine, land is the main national wealth and the object of property rights of the Ukrainian people, which determines its specific legal status and strict regulation. The legislation provides for various ways of acquiring ownership rights, including privatization (with the possibility of free transfer within established norms), redemption (often with the exercise of the preferential right of real estate owners or tenants of agricultural land), civil law agreements and acquisitive prescription. However, regardless of the chosen method, the right of ownership of land arises exclusively from the moment of state registration and is limited to its intended purpose, which emphasizes the importance of public control and the responsibility of the owner. In parallel, the biblical messages reveal the land not as an object of purchase and sale, but as God’s gift and inheritance, where man acts only as a steward. Such principles as the prohibition of the final sale of land (through the institution of the Jubilee Year) and the right of a relative to redeem were intended to prevent excessive concentration of wealth, preserve the family heritage and ensure social justice. The concept of a “Sabbatical Year” for the land demonstrates a deep ecological understanding of the need for its rest to preserve fertility, which is a prototype of the ideas of sustainable development. The taxation system, represented by tithes, also had not only a fiscal, but also a pronounced social orientation, ensuring support for the Levites and the needy. Common features between Ukrainian legislation and biblical teachings are the recognition of land as a special asset, which requires the restriction of absolute ownership rights for the sake of public interests, support for social justice (through gratuitous transfer, preferential rights, tax revenues for social programs) and an emphasis on responsible, careful use of land resources to preserve them for future generations. Thus, the study demonstrates that, despite the change of eras and legal systems, the basic values regarding land as the basis of life and social well-being remain unchanged, forming a complex but holistic approach to its regulation.