But in the seventh yearThe 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.
MosesThe prophet and leader of the Israelites who received the laws from God, including the instructions in Leviticus.
2.
IsraelitesThe people to whom the laws were given, who were to observe the Sabbath year as part of their covenant with God.
3.
The Promised LandThe 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 ProvisionThe 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 CreationAllowing the land to rest reflects God's care for creation and calls us to responsible stewardship of the environment.
Rhythms of Rest and RenewalThe principle of rest is vital for spiritual and physical renewal, reminding us to incorporate regular times of rest in our lives.
Obedience and FaithfulnessObserving the Sabbath year was an act of obedience, demonstrating faithfulness to God's commands and His covenant promises.
Social Justice and CompassionThe Sabbath year provided for the poor and marginalized, encouraging us to consider how we can support those in need in our communities.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Leviticus 25:4?
2.How does Leviticus 25:4 emphasize the importance of rest in God's creation?
3.What spiritual lessons can we learn from the "Sabbath of complete rest" command?
4.How does the Sabbath year in Leviticus 25:4 connect to the weekly Sabbath?
5.In what ways can we apply the principle of rest in our modern lives?
6.How does observing rest reflect trust in God's provision and sovereignty?
7.What is the significance of the sabbath year in Leviticus 25:4 for modern believers?
8.How does Leviticus 25:4 reflect God's provision and trust in His timing?
9.Why was the land required to rest every seventh year according to Leviticus 25:4?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Leviticus 25?
11.What is the Shemitah year?
12.What does the Year of Jubilee signify?
13.What is the purpose of Earth Day?
14.What is the purpose of the Shemitah year?What Does Leviticus 25:4 Mean
But in the seventh yearGod introduces a rhythm of time that mirrors His own work-rest pattern (Genesis 2:2-3;Exodus 20:9-11). Six literal years of agricultural activity are followed by a literal, set-apart seventh. The verse begins with “But,” signaling a deliberate contrast: everyday farming for six years, then something entirely different. By marking the calendar this way:
• Farmers were reminded annually that the land ultimately belongs to God (Psalm 24:1).
• Families learned trust—trust that the Lord would supply enough in year six to carry them through year seven (Leviticus 25:20-22).
there shall be a Sabbath of complete rest for the landThe land itself is commanded to rest, underscoring that creation shares in God’s Sabbath principle (Exodus 23:10-11). “Complete rest” is not partial or symbolic; it is literal cessation of tilling, plowing, and harvesting. This:
• Prevented soil exhaustion and allowed natural replenishment.
• Declared that productivity is not the ultimate goal—obedience is (Deuteronomy 8:3).
• Served as a built-in reset so that future generations could inherit fertile ground (Proverbs 13:22).
a Sabbath to the LORDCalling the fallow year “to the LORD” shifts focus from agriculture to worship (Isaiah 58:13-14). The Sabbath year was:
• A spiritual act of consecration, setting time apart exclusively for God’s purposes.
• An acknowledgment that the covenant people were stewards, not owners (Leviticus 25:23).
• A visible testimony to surrounding nations of Israel’s distinctive allegiance (Deuteronomy 4:6-8).
You are not to sow your fieldThe command forbids seeding even quick-growing crops. Obedience meant:
• Resisting the urge to secure personal safety through self-effort (Matthew 6:25-34).
• Accepting God’s promise that volunteer growth could be eaten but not commercially harvested (Leviticus 25:5-6).
• Demonstrating faith in God’s long-range provision, paralleling the manna lesson in the wilderness (Exodus 16:22-30).
or prune your vineyardEven perennials were to rest. Pruning stimulates production; withholding it underscored total reliance on God:
• Vineyards—symbols of joy and blessing (Psalm 104:15)—were surrendered back to the Giver.
• This prevented hoarding and promoted generosity, as the poor and traveler could freely gather what grew of itself (Exodus 23:11).
• Ignoring this command later led to exile, and the land “enjoyed its Sabbaths” while Israel was captive (2 Chronicles 36:21;Leviticus 26:34-35).
summaryLeviticus 25:4 lays down a literal, seventh-year halt to all fieldwork, framing rest as worship. By letting the land lie fallow, Israel proclaimed that every harvest, vine, and field is God’s. The Sabbath year cultivated trust, generosity, ecological wisdom, and a distinct identity rooted in obedience. Today the principle still calls God’s people to honor His ownership, embrace rhythmic rest, and rely fully on His faithful provision.
(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 seventhהַשְּׁבִיעִ֗ת(haš·šə·ḇî·‘iṯ)Article | Number - ordinal feminine singular
Strong's 7637:Seventh (an ordinal number)yearוּבַשָּׁנָ֣ה(ū·ḇaš·šā·nāh)Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8141:A year{there shall} beיִהְיֶ֣ה(yih·yeh)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961:To fall out, come to pass, become, bea Sabbathשַׁבַּ֤ת(šab·baṯ)Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 7676:Intermission, the Sabbathof complete restשַׁבָּתוֹן֙(šab·bā·ṯō·wn)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7677:Sabbath observance, sabbatismfor the land—לָאָ֔רֶץ(lā·’ā·reṣ)Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776:Earth, landa Sabbathשַׁבָּ֖ת(šab·bāṯ)Noun - common singular
Strong's 7676:Intermission, the Sabbathto the LORD.לַיהוָ֑ה(Yah·weh)Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of IsraelYou are notלֹ֣א(lō)Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, noto sowתִזְרָ֔ע(ṯiz·rā‘)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 2232:To sow, to disseminate, plant, fructifyyour fieldשָֽׂדְךָ֙(śā·ḏə·ḵā)Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 7704:Field, landor pruneתִזְמֹֽר׃(ṯiz·mōr)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 2168:To trim, pruneyour 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.) 
