Topical Encyclopedia Agriculture in ancient Israel was not merely an economic activity but a way of life deeply intertwined with religious and social laws. The Mosaic Law, as recorded in the Old Testament, provided comprehensive guidelines for agricultural practices, reflecting the Israelites' covenant relationship with God and their responsibility towards the land, community, and the poor.Sabbath Year and Jubilee One of the most significant agricultural laws was the observance of the Sabbath year, or the Shemitah. Every seventh year, the land was to lie fallow, allowing it to rest. Leviticus 25:4 states, "But in the seventh year there shall be a Sabbath of solemn rest for the land, a Sabbath to the LORD. You are not to sow your field or prune your vineyard." This practice underscored the principle of trust in God's provision and care for the land's health. The Jubilee year, occurring every fiftieth year, expanded on this concept. In addition to the land resting, properties were to be returned to their original owners, and debts were forgiven (Leviticus 25:10-13). This ensured economic balance and prevented the permanent loss of family inheritance. Gleaning Laws The laws concerning gleaning were designed to provide for the poor and the foreigner. Landowners were instructed not to harvest the edges of their fields completely and not to pick up what was left behind. Leviticus 19:9-10 commands, "When you reap the harvest of your land, you are not to reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. You must not strip your vineyard bare or gather its fallen grapes. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the LORD your God." This law emphasized compassion and social justice, ensuring that the vulnerable had access to food. Prohibition of Mixed Planting The Israelites were also instructed against planting different kinds of seeds in the same field. Leviticus 19:19 states, "You are to keep My statutes. You shall not breed your livestock with different kinds, nor sow your field with two kinds of seed, nor wear a garment of mixed linen and wool." This law symbolized purity and separation, reflecting the broader theme of holiness in the life of the Israelites. Firstfruits and Tithes The offering of firstfruits and tithes was an essential aspect of agricultural law, serving as an acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and provision. Deuteronomy 26:1-2 instructs, "When you enter the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, and you take possession of it and settle in it, you are to take some of the firstfruits of all the produce of the soil that you harvest from the land the LORD your God is giving you and put them in a basket. Then go to the place the LORD your God will choose as a dwelling for His Name." This act of giving the first and best of the harvest to God was a demonstration of gratitude and faith. Animal Husbandry The laws also extended to the treatment of animals used in agriculture. Deuteronomy 25:4 states, "Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain." This command ensured that working animals were treated with kindness and allowed to benefit from their labor. Environmental Stewardship The agricultural laws in the Bible reflect a broader principle of environmental stewardship. The Israelites were to care for the land as a divine trust, recognizing that the earth belongs to God (Psalm 24:1). The laws encouraged sustainable practices that preserved the land for future generations. These agricultural laws were integral to the social, economic, and spiritual life of Israel, reflecting a holistic approach to living in accordance with God's will. They served as a constant reminder of the Israelites' dependence on God and their responsibility to each other and the land. Nave's Topical Index Exodus 20:9Six days shall you labor, and do all your work: Nave's Topical Index Exodus 22:5,6 Exodus 23:10-12 Exodus 34:21,22 Leviticus 19:9,10,19,23-25 Leviticus 25:2-12,15,16,19-28 Deuteronomy 5:13,14 Deuteronomy 22:9,10 Deuteronomy 23:24,25 Deuteronomy 24:19-21 Proverbs 3:9,10 Ecclesiastes 5:9 Proverbs 27:23-27 Matthew 12:1 Library Leviticus Article xxiii (xi): of the Marriage of Priests. Concerning Masada and those Sicarii who Kept It; and How Silva ... How, after the Death of Joshua their Commander, the Israelites ... The Works of Philo that have Come Down to Us. Want of Universality in the Knowledge and Reception of ... The Papacy The Plagues of Egypt Heathen Defence Continued. -2 the Gods are Worshipped for Having ... Of the Fall of the Kingdom of Argos, when Picus the Son of Saturn ... Resources Topical: Biblical Culture ' Article Index | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to kick against the pricks? | GotQuestions.org Should we have a Christmas tree? | GotQuestions.org Agriculture: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Agriculture or Farming was Promoted Amongst the Jews by Allotments to Each Family Agriculture or Farming was Promoted Amongst the Jews by Separation from Other Nations Agriculture or Farming was Promoted Amongst the Jews by The Prohibition Against Usury Agriculture or Farming was Promoted Amongst the Jews by The Promises of God's Blessings On Agriculture or Farming was Promoted Amongst the Jews by The Rights of Redemption Agriculture or Farming: Beasts Used in The Donkey Agriculture or Farming: Beasts Used in The Horse Agriculture or Farming: Beasts Used in The Ox Agriculture or Farming: Climate of Canaan Favourable To Agriculture or Farming: Contributes to the Support of All Agriculture or Farming: Culture of the Church Agriculture or Farming: Culture of the Heart Agriculture or Farming: Diligence In, Abundantly Recompensed Agriculture or Farming: Enactments to Protect: Against Injuring the Produce of Agriculture or Farming: Enactments to Protect: Against the Trespass of Cattle Agriculture or Farming: Enactments to Protect: Not to Covet the Fields of Another Agriculture or Farming: Enactments to Protect: Not to Cut Down Crops of Another Agriculture or Farming: Enactments to Protect: Not to Move Landmarks Agriculture or Farming: Grief Occasioned by the Failure of the Fruits of Agriculture or Farming: Implements of The Axe Agriculture or Farming: Implements of The Cart Agriculture or Farming: Implements of The Fan Agriculture or Farming: Implements of The Flail Agriculture or Farming: Implements of The Fork Agriculture or Farming: Implements of The Harrow Agriculture or Farming: Implements of The Mattock Agriculture or Farming: Implements of The Plough Agriculture or Farming: Implements of The Pruning-Hook Agriculture or Farming: Implements of The Shovel Agriculture or Farming: Implements of The Sickle Agriculture or Farming: Implements of The Sieve Agriculture or Farming: Implements of The Teethed Threshing Instrument Agriculture or Farming: Man Doomed to Labour In, After the Fall Agriculture or Farming: Not to be Engaged in During the Sabbatical Year Agriculture or Farming: Often Performed by Hirelings Agriculture or Farming: Operations in Binding Agriculture or Farming: Operations in Digging Agriculture or Farming: Operations in Gathering out the Stones Agriculture or Farming: Operations in Gleaning Agriculture or Farming: Operations in Grafting Agriculture or Farming: Operations in Harrowing Agriculture or Farming: Operations in Hedging Agriculture or Farming: Operations in Manuring Agriculture or Farming: Operations in Mowing Agriculture or Farming: Operations in Planting Agriculture or Farming: Operations in Ploughing Agriculture or Farming: Operations in Pruning Agriculture or Farming: Operations in Reaping Agriculture or Farming: Operations in Sowing Agriculture or Farming: Operations in Stacking Agriculture or Farming: Operations in Storing in Barns Agriculture or Farming: Operations in Threshing Agriculture or Farming: Operations in Watering Agriculture or Farming: Operations in Weeding Agriculture or Farming: Operations in Winnowing Agriculture or Farming: Patriarchs Engaged In Agriculture or Farming: Peace Favourable To Agriculture or Farming: Persons Engaged In, Called: Husbandmen Agriculture or Farming: Persons Engaged In, Called: Labourers Agriculture or Farming: Persons Engaged In, Called: Tillers of the Ground Agriculture or Farming: Produce of, Exported Agriculture or Farming: Produce of, Given As Rent for Land Agriculture or Farming: Produce of, often Blasted Because of Sin Agriculture or Farming: Rendered Laborious by the Curse on the Earth Agriculture or Farming: Requires: Diligence Agriculture or Farming: Requires: Patience in Waiting Agriculture or Farming: Requires: Toil Agriculture or Farming: Requires: Wisdom Agriculture or Farming: Soil of Canaan Suited To Agriculture or Farming: The Cultivation of the Earth Agriculture or Farming: The Jews Loved and Followed Agriculture or Farming: The Labour of, Supposed to be Lessened by Noah Agriculture or Farming: The Occupation of Man Before the Fall Agriculture or Farming: The Providence of God to be Acknowledged in the Produce of Agriculture or Farming: War Destructive To Agriculture: Called Tiller of the Ground Agriculture: Divine Institution of Agriculture: Fruits Blasted Because of Sin Agriculture: God to be Acknowledged In Agriculture: Persons Engaged In, Called Husbandmen Agriculture: Planters of Vineyards, Exempted from Military Service Agriculture: Practiced by Cain Agriculture: Practiced by David Agriculture: Practiced by Elisha Agriculture: Practiced by Noah Agriculture: Practiced by Solomon Agriculture: Practiced by Uzziah Agriculture: Requires Diligence Agriculture: Requires Patience Agriculture: Sowing Wheat, But Reaping Thorns Related Terms Threshingfloor (18 Occurrences) |
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