Leviticus 25:2 "Speak to the Israelites and say to them: When you enter the land that I am giving you, the land itself must observe a Sabbath to the LORD.

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◄ Leviticus 25:2 ►

New International Version
“Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘When you enter the land I am going to give you, the land itself must observe a sabbath to the LORD.

New Living Translation
“Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. When you have entered the land I am giving you, the land itself must observe a Sabbath rest before the LORD every seventh year.

English Standard Version
“Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When you come into the land that I give you, the land shall keep a Sabbath to the LORD.

Berean Standard Bible
“Speak to the Israelites and say to them: When you enter the land that I am giving you, the land itself must observe a Sabbath to the LORD.

King James Bible
Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye come into the land which I give you, then shall the land keep a sabbath unto the LORD.

New King James Version
“Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘When you come into the land which I give you, then the land shall keep a sabbath to the LORD.

New American Standard Bible
“Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘When you come into the land which I am going to give you, then the land shall have a Sabbath to the LORD.

NASB 1995
“Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘When you come into the land which I shall give you, then the land shall have a sabbath to the LORD.

NASB 1977
“Speak to the sons of Israel, and say to them, ‘When you come into the land which I shall give you, then the land shall have a sabbath to the LORD.

Legacy Standard Bible
“Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘When you come into the land which I am giving to you, then the land shall have a sabbath to Yahweh.

Amplified Bible
“Speak to the children of Israel and say to them, ‘When you come into the land which I am giving you, then the land shall keep a Sabbath to the LORD.

Christian Standard Bible
“Speak to the Israelites and tell them: When you enter the land I am giving you, the land will observe a Sabbath to the LORD.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Speak to the Israelites and tell them: When you enter the land I am giving you, the land will observe a Sabbath to the LORD.

American Standard Version
Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye come into the land which I give you, then shall the land keep a sabbath unto Jehovah.

Contemporary English Version
to say to the community of Israel: After you enter the land that I am giving you, it must be allowed to rest one year out of every seven.

English Revised Version
Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye come into the land which I give you, then shall the land keep a sabbath unto the LORD.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Tell the Israelites: When you come into the land I'm giving you, the land will celebrate a year to honor the LORD.

Good News Translation
to give the following regulations to the people of Israel. When you enter the land that the LORD is giving you, you shall honor the LORD by not cultivating the land every seventh year.

International Standard Version
"Tell the Israelis that when you enter the land that I'm about to give you, you are to let the land observe a Sabbath to the LORD.

Majority Standard Bible
“Speak to the Israelites and say to them: When you enter the land that I am giving you, the land itself must observe a Sabbath to the LORD.

NET Bible
"Speak to the Israelites and tell them, 'When you enter the land that I am giving you, the land must observe a Sabbath to the LORD.

New Heart English Bible
"Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them, 'When you come into the land which I give you, then the land shall keep a Sabbath to the LORD.

Webster's Bible Translation
Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them, When ye come into the land which I give you, then shall the land keep a sabbath to the LORD.

World English Bible
“Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them, ‘When you come into the land which I give you, then the land shall keep a Sabbath to Yahweh.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
“Speak to the sons of Israel, and you have said to them: When you come into the land which I am giving to you, then the land has kept a Sabbath to YHWH.

Young's Literal Translation
'Speak unto the sons of Israel, and thou hast said unto them, When ye come in unto the land which I am giving to you, then hath the land kept a sabbath to Jehovah.

Smith's Literal Translation
Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, When ye shall come into the land which I gave to you, the land shall rest a Sabbath to Jehovah.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
Speak to the children of Israel, and thou shalt say to them: When you shall have entered into the land which I will give you, observe the rest of the sabbath to the Lord.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Speak to the sons of Israel, and you shall say to them: When you will have entered into the land which I will give to you, rest on the Sabbath of the Lord.

New American Bible
Speak to the Israelites and tell them: When you enter the land that I am giving you, let the land, too, keep a sabbath for the LORD.

New Revised Standard Version
Speak to the people of Israel and say to them: When you enter the land that I am giving you, the land shall observe a sabbath for the LORD.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
Speak to the children of Israel and say to them, When you come into the land which I give you for an inheritance, then shall the land keep a sabbath to the LORD.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
“Speak with the children of Israel and say to them: “Whenever you have entered the land that I give to you as an inheritance, the land shall rest for a Sabbath to LORD JEHOVAH.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them: When ye come into the land which I give you, then shall the land keep a sabbath unto the LORD.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Speak to the children of Israel, and thou shalt say to them, Whensoever ye shall have entered into the land, which I give to you, then the land shall rest which I give to you, for its sabbaths to the Lord.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Sabbatical Year
1Then the LORD said to Moses on Mount Sinai, 2“Speak to the Israelites and say to them: When you enter the land that I am giving you, the land itself must observe a Sabbath to the LORD. 3For six years you may sow your field and prune your vineyard and gather its crops.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Exodus 23:10-11
For six years you are to sow your land and gather its produce, / but in the seventh year you must let it rest and lie fallow, so that the poor among your people may eat from the field and the wild animals may consume what they leave. Do the same with your vineyard and olive grove.

Deuteronomy 15:1-2
At the end of every seven years you must cancel debts. / This is the manner of remission: Every creditor shall cancel what he has loaned to his neighbor. He is not to collect anything from his neighbor or brother, because the LORD’s time of release has been proclaimed.

Deuteronomy 31:10-13
Then Moses commanded them, “At the end of every seven years, at the appointed time in the year of remission of debt, during the Feast of Tabernacles, / when all Israel comes before the LORD your God at the place He will choose, you are to read this law in the hearing of all Israel. / Assemble the people—men, women, children, and the foreigners within your gates—so that they may listen and learn to fear the LORD your God and to follow carefully all the words of this law. ...

2 Chronicles 36:21
So the land enjoyed its Sabbath rest all the days of the desolation, until seventy years were completed, in fulfillment of the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah.

Nehemiah 10:31
When the people of the land bring merchandise or any kind of grain to sell on the Sabbath day, we will not buy from them on a Sabbath or holy day. Every seventh year we will let the fields lie fallow and will cancel every debt.

Isaiah 37:30
And this will be a sign to you, O Hezekiah: This year you will eat what grows on its own, and in the second year what springs from the same. But in the third year you will sow and reap; you will plant vineyards and eat their fruit.

Jeremiah 34:14
Every seventh year, each of you must free his Hebrew brother who has sold himself to you. He may serve you six years, but then you must let him go free. But your fathers did not listen or incline their ear.

Ezekiel 46:17
But if he gives a gift from his inheritance to one of his servants, it will belong to that servant until the year of freedom; then it will revert to the prince. His inheritance belongs only to his sons; it shall be theirs.

Isaiah 61:1-2
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners, / to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of our God’s vengeance, to comfort all who mourn,

Luke 4:18-19
“The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, / to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Matthew 11:28-30
Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. / Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. / For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Hebrews 4:9-10
There remains, then, a Sabbath rest for the people of God. / For whoever enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His.

Romans 8:21
that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.

Galatians 5:1
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery.

Colossians 2:16-17
Therefore let no one judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a feast, a New Moon, or a Sabbath. / These are a shadow of the things to come, but the body that casts it belongs to Christ.

Treasury of Scripture

Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them, When you come into the land which I give you, then shall the land keep a sabbath to the LORD.

When ye

Leviticus 14:34
When ye be come into the land of Canaan, which I give to you for a possession, and I put the plague of leprosy in a house of the land of your possession;

Deuteronomy 32:8,49
When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel…

Deuteronomy 34:4
And the LORD said unto him, This is the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, saying, I will give it unto thy seed: I have caused thee to see it with thine eyes, but thou shalt not go over thither.

keep [heb] rest

Leviticus 23:32
It shall be unto you a sabbath of rest, and ye shall afflict your souls: in the ninth day of the month at even, from even unto even, shall ye celebrate your sabbath.

a sabbath

Leviticus 26:34,35
Then shall the land enjoy her sabbaths, as long as it lieth desolate, and ye be in your enemies' land; even then shall the land rest, and enjoy her sabbaths…

Exodus 23:10
And six years thou shalt sow thy land, and shalt gather in the fruits thereof:

2 Chronicles 36:21
To fulfil the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths: for as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfil threescore and ten years.

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Leviticus 25

1. the Sabbath of the seventh year
8. The jubilee in the fiftieth year
14. Of oppression
18. A blessing of obedience
23. The redemption of land
29. Of houses
35. Compassion to the poor
39. The usage of bondmen
47. The redemption of servants

Berean Study Bible

Speak to the Israelites
This phrase indicates a direct command from God to Moses, emphasizing the importance of communication between God and His chosen people, the Israelites. The Hebrew word for "speak" is "דַּבֵּר" (daber), which implies not just casual conversation but a formal declaration. This highlights the authoritative nature of God's instructions and the responsibility of Moses as a mediator. The Israelites, descendants of Jacob, are reminded of their unique covenant relationship with God, which sets them apart from other nations.

and say
The repetition of the command to "say" underscores the importance of the message. The Hebrew word "אָמַר" (amar) is used here, which often conveys the idea of making something known or declaring. This reinforces the idea that what follows is not merely advice but a divine mandate that requires attention and obedience.

When you enter the land
This phrase points to a future event, the entry into the Promised Land, Canaan. The Hebrew word for "enter" is "בּוֹא" (bo), which signifies coming into a place of rest and fulfillment of God's promises. Historically, this entry marks a significant transition from a nomadic lifestyle to a settled agricultural society. It is a reminder of God's faithfulness in delivering His people and fulfilling His covenant promises.

I am giving you
The phrase emphasizes God's sovereignty and grace. The Hebrew verb "נָתַן" (natan) means "to give," indicating that the land is a gift from God, not something earned by the Israelites. This underscores the concept of divine grace, where God provides for His people out of His love and faithfulness, not because of their merit.

the land itself
This highlights the physical land of Canaan, which holds theological significance as the inheritance promised to Abraham and his descendants. The Hebrew word "אֶרֶץ" (eretz) is used, which can mean land, earth, or territory. The land is not just a backdrop for the Israelites' lives but a central element in God's redemptive plan, symbolizing His provision and blessing.

must observe a Sabbath
The command for the land to observe a Sabbath introduces the concept of the sabbatical year, a year of rest for the land every seventh year. The Hebrew word "שַׁבָּת" (shabbat) means "rest" or "cessation." This practice reflects God's creation pattern and His provision, teaching the Israelites to trust in Him for sustenance. It also serves as a reminder of the need for rest and renewal, both physically and spiritually.

to the LORD
This phrase indicates that the Sabbath rest is dedicated to God, acknowledging His lordship over the land and the people. The Hebrew name for God here is "יְהוָה" (YHWH), the covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal and unchanging nature. Observing the Sabbath to the LORD is an act of worship and obedience, recognizing His authority and provision. It serves as a reminder of the Israelites' dependence on God and their role as stewards of His creation.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(2) When ye come into the land.--Better, When ye be come into the land, as the Authorised Version renders the same phrase in Leviticus 14:34. (See Note on Leviticus 19:23.) This is the fourth instance in Leviticus of a law being given prospectively which had no immediate bearing on the condition of Israel. (See Leviticus 14:34; Leviticus 19:23; Leviticus 23:10.) According to the authorities during the second Temple this law came into operation in the twenty-first year after the Israelites entered Canaan. As the conquest of the promised land occupied them seven years (Joshua 14:10), and as the division of it between the different tribes took seven years more (Joshua 18:1, &c.), the real cultivation of the land only began at the end of the second seven years. Hence the first seventh year in which laws of the sabbatical year came into operation was the twenty-first year after their entrance into Canaan. . . .

Pulpit Commentary

Verses 2-7. - The sabbath of the seventh year could only be observed when ye come into the land which I give you. The habit of making no distraction in the seventh year during the whole of the life in the wilderness may have led to the neglect of the law after the settlement in Canaan. Another excuse for the neglect may have been a difficulty which would have presented itself of fixing the date from which to count up to the seventh year, as different parts of the land were conquered at different times. According to the law, from New Year's Day of the seventh year (the 1st of Tisri, which occurred about the middle of September) to the following New Year's Day, there was to be neither sowing nor pruning, reaping or gathering. The expression, Neither shalt thou gather the grapes of thy vine undressed, would be more literally rendered, the grapes of thy Nazarite vine, the vine with its unpruned tendrils, being likened to the Nazarite with his unshorn locks. As to sowing and reaping, an exception was made with respect to the barley sown and reaped for the Passover sheaf, and the wheat sown and reaped for the Pentecost loaves. The spontaneous fruits of the earth, and they were very large in the rich fields of the valleys and plains, were to be the property of all alike, whether the owners of the land or not, "that the poor of thy people might eat" (Exodus 23:11). And what was left by man was to be food for the cattle and beasts of the field. The cessation of agricultural labours must have served, and may have been intended to serve, as an encouragement to mercantile pursuits, as well as to the study of the Divine Law (Deuteronomy 31:10-13). The Feast of Tabernacles of the seventh year was specially appointed by Moses as a day for reading the Law to the assembled people (Deuteronomy 31:10-13). And the Mishna appoints the following passages of Deuteronomy to be read on that day: - Deuteronomy 1:1-6; Deuteronomy 6:4-8; Deuteronomy 11:13-22; Deuteronomy 14:22; Deuteronomy 15:23; Deuteronomy 17:14; Deuteronomy 26:12-19; Deuteronomy 27, 28. ('Mish. Sotah.,' 7:8). The other ordinance connected with the sabbatical year, the release of debts to the poor (Deuteronomy 15:1-6), was, like the fifth commandment, made of none effect by rabbinical traditions - notably by one which required a debtor, when his creditor said, "I remit," to insist that nevertheless he should accept payment. The moral purpose of the sabbath of the seventh year is well drawn out by Keil: - "In the sabbatical year the land which the Lord had given his people was to observe a period of holy rest and refreshment to its Lord and God, just as the congregation did on the sabbath day; and the hand of man was to be withheld from the fields and fruit gardens from working them that they might yield their produce for his use. The earth was to be sacred from the hand of man, exhausting its power for earthly purposes as his own property, and to enjoy the holy rest with which God had blessed the earth and all its productions after the Creation. From this, Israel, as the nation of God, was to learn, on the one hand, that although the earth was created for man, it was not merely created for him to draw out its power for his own use, but also to be holy to the Lord and participate in the blessed rest; and on the other hand, that the great purpose for which the congregation of the Lord existed did not consist in the uninterrupted tilling of the earth, connected with bitter labour in the sweat of the brow (Genesis 3:17, 19), but in the peaceful enjoyment of the fruits of the earth, which the Lord their God had given them and would give them still, without the labour of their hands, if they strove to keep his covenant and satisfy themselves with his grace."

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

“Speak
דַּבֵּ֞ר (dab·bêr)
Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the Israelites
בְּנֵ֤י (bə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

and say,
וְאָמַרְתָּ֣ (wə·’ā·mar·tā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

‘When
כִּ֤י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

you enter
תָבֹ֙אוּ֙ (ṯā·ḇō·’ū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

the land
הָאָ֔רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

I
אֲנִ֖י (’ă·nî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

am giving
נֹתֵ֣ן (nō·ṯên)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

you,
לָכֶ֑ם (lā·ḵem)
Preposition | second person masculine plural
Strong's Hebrew

the land itself
הָאָ֔רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

must observe
וְשָׁבְתָ֣ה (wə·šā·ḇə·ṯāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 7673: To repose, desist from exertion

a Sabbath
שַׁבָּ֖ת (šab·bāṯ)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 7676: Intermission, the Sabbath

to the LORD.
לַיהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

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OT Law: Leviticus 25:2 Speak to the children of Israel (Le Lv Lev.)