Leviticus 25:4
New International Version
But in the seventh year the land is to have a year of sabbath rest, a sabbath to the LORD. Do not sow your fields or prune your vineyards.

New Living Translation
but during the seventh year the land must have a Sabbath year of complete rest. It is the LORD’s Sabbath. Do not plant your fields or prune your vineyards during that year.

English Standard Version
but in the seventh year there shall be a Sabbath of solemn rest for the land, a Sabbath to the LORD. You shall not sow your field or prune your vineyard.

Berean Standard Bible
But in the seventh year there shall be a Sabbath of complete rest for the land—a Sabbath to the LORD. You are not to sow your field or prune your vineyard.

King James Bible
But in the seventh year shall be a sabbath of rest unto the land, a sabbath for the LORD: thou shalt neither sow thy field, nor prune thy vineyard.

New King James Version
but in the seventh year there shall be a sabbath of solemn rest for the land, a sabbath to the LORD. You shall neither sow your field nor prune your vineyard.

New American Standard Bible
but during the seventh year the land shall have a Sabbath rest, a Sabbath to the LORD; you shall not sow your field nor prune your vineyard.

NASB 1995
but during the seventh year the land shall have a sabbath rest, a sabbath to the LORD; you shall not sow your field nor prune your vineyard.

NASB 1977
but during the seventh year the land shall have a sabbath rest, a sabbath to the LORD; you shall not sow your field nor prune your vineyard.

Legacy Standard Bible
but during the seventh year the land shall have a sabbath rest, a sabbath to Yahweh; you shall not sow your field nor prune your vineyard.

Amplified Bible
But in the seventh year there shall be a Sabbath of rest for the land, a Sabbath to the LORD; you shall not sow [seed in] your field nor prune your vineyard.

Christian Standard Bible
But there will be a Sabbath of complete rest for the land in the seventh year, a Sabbath to the LORD: you are not to sow your field or prune your vineyard.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But there will be a Sabbath of complete rest for the land in the seventh year, a Sabbath to the LORD: you are not to sow your field or prune your vineyard.

American Standard Version
but in the seventh year shall be a sabbath of solemn rest for the land, a sabbath unto Jehovah: thou shalt neither sow thy field, nor prune thy vineyard.

Contemporary English Version
but the seventh year you must let your fields and vineyards rest in honor of me, your LORD.

English Revised Version
but in the seventh year shall be a sabbath of solemn rest for the land, a sabbath unto the LORD: thou shalt neither sow thy field, nor prune thy vineyard.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
However, the seventh year will be a festival year for the land. It will be a year to honor the LORD. Don't plant crops in your fields or prune your vineyards.

Good News Translation
But the seventh year is to be a year of complete rest for the land, a year dedicated to the LORD. Do not plant your fields or prune your vineyards.

International Standard Version
But the seventh year is to be a Sabbath of rest for the land—a Sabbath for the LORD. You are not to plant your field or prune your vineyard.

Majority Standard Bible
But in the seventh year there shall be a Sabbath of complete rest for the land?a Sabbath to the LORD. You are not to sow your field or prune your vineyard.

NET Bible
but in the seventh year the land must have a Sabbath of complete rest--a Sabbath to the LORD. You must not sow your field or prune your vineyard.

New Heart English Bible
but in the seventh year there shall be a Sabbath of solemn rest for the land, a Sabbath to the LORD. You shall not sow your field or prune your vineyard.

Webster's Bible Translation
But in the seventh year shall be a sabbath of rest to the land, a sabbath for the LORD: thou shalt neither sow thy field, nor prune thy vineyard.

World English Bible
but in the seventh year there shall be a Sabbath of solemn rest for the land, a Sabbath to Yahweh. You shall not sow your field or prune your vineyard.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and in the seventh year is a Sabbath of rest for the land, a Sabbath to YHWH; you do not sow your field, and you do not prune your vineyard;

Young's Literal Translation
and in the seventh year a sabbath of rest is to the land, a sabbath to Jehovah; thy field thou dost not sow, and thy vineyard thou dost not prune;

Smith's Literal Translation
And in the seventh year, a Sabbath of rest shall be to the land, a Sabbath to Jehovah: thy field thou shalt not sow, and thy vineyard thou shalt not prune.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But in the seventh year there shall be a sabbath to the land, of the resting of the Lord: thou shalt not sow thy field, nor prune thy vineyard.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But in the seventh year, there shall be a Sabbath of the land, a resting of the Lord. You shall not sow your field, and you shall not care for your vineyard.

New American Bible
But during the seventh year the land shall have a sabbath of complete rest, a sabbath for the LORD, when you may neither sow your field nor prune your vineyard.

New Revised Standard Version
but in the seventh year there shall be a sabbath of complete rest for the land, a sabbath for the LORD: you shall not sow your field or prune your vineyard.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But the seventh year shall be a sabbath of rest to the land, and it shall be to you a sabbath for the LORD; you shall neither sow your fields nor prune your vineyards.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the seventh year shall be a Sabbath rest to the land and there shall be to you a Sabbath for LORD JEHOVAH; you shall not sow your fields and you shall not prune your vineyards.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
But in the seventh year shall be a sabbath of solemn rest for the land, a sabbath unto the LORD; thou shalt neither sow thy field, nor prune thy vineyard.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
But in the seventh year shall be a sabbath, it shall be a rest to the land, a sabbath to the Lord: thou shalt not sow thy field, and thou shalt not prune thy vine.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Sabbatical Year
3For six years you may sow your field and prune your vineyard and gather its crops. 4But in the seventh year there shall be a Sabbath of complete rest for the land— a Sabbath to the LORD. You are not to sow your field or prune your vineyard. 5You are not to reap the aftergrowth of your harvest or gather the grapes of your untended vines. The land must have a year of complete rest.…

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 31:10-11
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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Genesis 2:2-3
And by the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on that day He rested from all His work. / Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because on that day He rested from all the work of creation that He had accomplished.

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.

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.”

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

But in the seventh year shall be a sabbath of rest to the land, a sabbath for the LORD: you shall neither sow your field, nor prune your vineyard.

Leviticus 25:20-23
And if ye shall say, What shall we eat the seventh year? behold, we shall not sow, nor gather in our increase: …

Leviticus 26:34,35,43
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 23:10,11
And six years thou shalt sow thy land, and shalt gather in the fruits thereof: …

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Cut Field Fields Prune Rest Sabbath Seed Solemn Sow Vines Vineyard Vineyards
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Cut Field Fields Prune Rest Sabbath Seed Solemn Sow Vines Vineyard Vineyards
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














But in the seventh year
The concept of the seventh year is rooted in the biblical principle of the Sabbath, which is a recurring theme throughout Scripture. The number seven often symbolizes completion and perfection in the Bible, as seen in the creation week (Genesis 2:2-3). This cycle of seven years is part of the larger framework of the Jubilee, which occurs every 50th year, after seven cycles of seven years (Leviticus 25:8-10).

there shall be a Sabbath of complete rest for the land
This commandment emphasizes the importance of rest not only for people but also for the land itself. The Sabbath rest for the land is a form of agricultural practice that allows the soil to rejuvenate, preventing depletion of nutrients. This practice is supported by modern agricultural science, which recognizes the benefits of crop rotation and fallow periods. Theologically, it underscores God's sovereignty over creation and His provision for His people, as they must trust Him to provide during the year of rest.

a Sabbath to the LORD
The Sabbath is dedicated to the LORD, highlighting its spiritual significance. It is not merely an agricultural practice but an act of worship and obedience. This rest is a reminder of God's creation and His covenant with Israel. It also points forward to the ultimate rest found in Jesus Christ, who offers spiritual rest to believers (Matthew 11:28-30; Hebrews 4:9-10).

You are not to sow your field or prune your vineyard
This prohibition against sowing and pruning emphasizes reliance on God's provision. It challenges the Israelites to trust in God's faithfulness rather than their own efforts. This commandment also serves as a reminder of the Israelites' dependence on God for sustenance, echoing the provision of manna in the wilderness (Exodus 16:4-5). Theologically, it foreshadows the New Testament teaching of abiding in Christ, the true vine, and bearing fruit through Him (John 15:1-5).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The prophet and leader of the Israelites who received the laws from God, including the instructions in Leviticus.

2. Israelites
The people to whom the laws were given, who were to observe the Sabbath year as part of their covenant with God.

3. The Promised Land
The land of Canaan, which the Israelites were to enter and where they were to observe the Sabbath year.

4. Sabbath Year (Shemitah)
A year of rest for the land, occurring every seventh year, during which the Israelites were commanded not to sow or prune.

5. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who commanded the observance of the Sabbath year as a sign of trust and obedience.
Teaching Points
Trust in God's Provision
The Sabbath year required the Israelites to trust God for their sustenance, teaching us to rely on God's provision rather than our own efforts.

Stewardship of Creation
Allowing the land to rest reflects God's care for creation and calls us to responsible stewardship of the environment.

Rhythms of Rest and Renewal
The principle of rest is vital for spiritual and physical renewal, reminding us to incorporate regular times of rest in our lives.

Obedience and Faithfulness
Observing the Sabbath year was an act of obedience, demonstrating faithfulness to God's commands and His covenant promises.

Social Justice and Compassion
The Sabbath year provided for the poor and marginalized, encouraging us to consider how we can support those in need in our communities.(4) The seventh year shall be a sabbath of rest.--Literally, the seventh year shall be a rest of solemn resting, or a sabbath of sabbaths. For the import of this phrase see Note on Leviticus 16:31. Like the weekly sabbath, the seventh year is to be the Lord's sabbath. The soil is therefore to have a perfect rest.

Thou shalt neither sow thy field.--What constitutes cultivation, and how much of labour was regarded as transgressing this law, may be seen from the following canons which obtained during the second Temple. No one was allowed to plant trees in the sabbatical year, nor to cut off dried-up branches, to break off withered leaves, to smoke under the plants in order to kill the insects, nor to besmear the unripe fruit with any kind of soil in order to protect them, &c. Any one who committed one of these things received the prescribed number of stripes. As much land, however, might be cultivated as was required for the payment of taxes as well as for growing the barley required for the omer or wave sheaf at the Passover, and wheat for the two wave-loaves at Pentecost.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But in the seventh
הַשְּׁבִיעִ֗ת (haš·šə·ḇî·‘iṯ)
Article | Number - ordinal feminine singular
Strong's 7637: Seventh (an ordinal number)

year
וּבַשָּׁנָ֣ה (ū·ḇaš·šā·nāh)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8141: A year

{there shall} be
יִהְיֶ֣ה (yih·yeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

a Sabbath
שַׁבַּ֤ת (šab·baṯ)
Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 7676: Intermission, the Sabbath

of complete rest
שַׁבָּתוֹן֙ (šab·bā·ṯō·wn)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7677: Sabbath observance, sabbatism

for the land—
לָאָ֔רֶץ (lā·’ā·reṣ)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

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

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

You are not
לֹ֣א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

to sow
תִזְרָ֔ע (ṯiz·rā‘)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 2232: To sow, to disseminate, plant, fructify

your field
שָֽׂדְךָ֙ (śā·ḏə·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 7704: Field, land

or prune
תִזְמֹֽר׃ (ṯiz·mōr)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 2168: To trim, prune

your vineyard.
וְכַרְמְךָ֖ (wə·ḵar·mə·ḵā)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3754: A garden, vineyard


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OT Law: Leviticus 25:4 But in the seventh year there shall (Le Lv Lev.)
Leviticus 25:3
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