and for your livestockThis phrase highlights the provision for domesticated animals during the Sabbath year. In ancient Israel, livestock such as sheep, goats, and cattle were vital for agriculture, transportation, and food. The Sabbath year, or Shemitah, required the land to rest, and this provision ensured that animals were still cared for. This reflects God's concern for all His creation, not just humans, and aligns with
Proverbs 12:10, which speaks of the righteous caring for their animals.
and the wild animals in your land
The inclusion of wild animals emphasizes the comprehensive nature of God's provision. The land's produce during the Sabbath year was not to be hoarded but left accessible for all creatures. This reflects the interconnectedness of creation and God's sovereignty over all life. It also echoes the creation narrative in Genesis, where God provides for all living beings. This provision can be seen as a precursor to the peaceable kingdom described inIsaiah 11:6-9, where harmony exists between humans and animals.
All its growth may serve as food.
This phrase underscores the purpose of the land's natural yield during the Sabbath year. The produce was not to be harvested in the usual manner but left for anyone in need, including the poor and the stranger, as well as animals. This practice fostered a sense of community and reliance on God's provision. It also foreshadows the New Testament teaching of Jesus inMatthew 6:25-34, where He instructs His followers not to worry about their needs, trusting in God's provision. The principle of rest and reliance on God during the Sabbath year points to the ultimate rest found in Christ, as described inHebrews 4:9-10.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
MosesThe author of Leviticus, who received the laws from God on Mount Sinai.
2.
IsraelitesThe primary audience of the Levitical laws, who were to observe these commandments as part of their covenant with God.
3.
Mount SinaiThe place where God delivered the laws to Moses, including the instructions found in Leviticus.
4.
Sabbath YearThe event described in
Leviticus 25, where the land was to rest every seventh year, and its produce was to be shared with all.
5.
Promised LandThe land of Canaan, which the Israelites were to enter and where they were to observe these laws.
Teaching Points
God's ProvisionGod provides for all His creation, ensuring that both livestock and wild animals have sustenance. This reflects His care and sovereignty over the earth.
Sabbath RestThe Sabbath year is a reminder of the importance of rest and trust in God's provision. It teaches us to rely on God rather than our own efforts.
Stewardship of CreationWe are called to be stewards of the earth, ensuring that all creatures are cared for. This involves responsible management of resources and compassion for all living things.
Community and SharingThe produce of the land during the Sabbath year was to be shared, promoting a sense of community and equality. This encourages us to be generous and mindful of others' needs.
Trust in God's TimingObserving the Sabbath year required faith in God's timing and provision. It challenges us to trust God in seasons of waiting and uncertainty.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Leviticus 25:7?
2.How does Leviticus 25:7 emphasize God's provision for both people and animals?
3.What does Leviticus 25:7 teach about God's care for His creation?
4.How can we apply the principle of rest for the land today?
5.How does Leviticus 25:7 connect with the Sabbath rest in Genesis 2:2-3?
6.In what ways can we ensure sustainable practices in light of Leviticus 25:7?
7.What is the significance of Leviticus 25:7 in the context of the Sabbatical year?
8.How does Leviticus 25:7 reflect God's provision for both people and animals?
9.Why is the land's rest important in Leviticus 25:7?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Leviticus 25?
11.What foods are mentioned in the Bible?
12.Jeremiah 5:6 - How is this threat of wild animals attacking people scientifically or historically credible, given the period's recorded encounters with such creatures?
13.Leviticus 7:22-27: Does the prohibition on eating fat and blood align with known health concerns or conflict with current dietary research?
14.Why would God demand the killing of animals in 1 Samuel 15:3, seemingly contradicting His care for His creation?What Does Leviticus 25:7 Mean
For your livestock“and for your livestock” (Leviticus 25:7a)
• God builds practical compassion for animals right into Israel’s agricultural rhythm. As the fields lie fallow during the sabbatical year, any spontaneous growth is left available so herds and flocks can graze freely.
• This reflects the Creator’s continuing care for creatures under human stewardship (Proverbs 12:10;Deuteronomy 25:4).
• Trusting God enough to let the land rest while still feeding the animals models dependence on His provision, echoed later when Jesus assures that the Father feeds even the birds (Matthew 6:26).
And the wild animals in your land“and the wild animals in your land” (Leviticus 25:7b)
• The instruction widens to untamed creatures roaming the countryside, underscoring that God’s covenant concern reaches beyond domesticated stock.
•Psalm 104:21, 27–28 pictures the lions and every living thing looking to the Lord for food—here He appoints His people’s obedience as the means.
• Allowing wildlife to forage during the seventh year safeguards ecological balance, a tangible reminder that “the earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness” (Psalm 24:1).
All its growth may serve as food“All its growth may serve as food” (Leviticus 25:7c)
• “All” means every volunteer shoot, every unharvested cluster—nothing is hoarded. Landowners, servants, travelers, livestock, and wildlife share alike.
• This principle echoes earlier gleaning commands (Leviticus 19:9–10;Deuteronomy 24:19–21), revealing God’s heart for open-handed generosity and social equity.
• By stripping away normal profit-driven harvesting, the sabbatical year reorients hearts to recognize God as the true Provider (Exodus 23:11).
summaryLeviticus 25:7 fleshes out the sabbatical year with a vivid picture of God’s benevolent order: fields at rest, yet brimming with enough for livestock, wild creatures, and people alike. The verse invites trust in His abundance, compassionate stewardship of animals, and an unselfish posture toward neighbors and nature, all grounded in the conviction that everything ultimately belongs to the Lord who faithfully supplies.
(7)
And for thy cattle.--In accordance with the benign legislation which obtained during the second Temple, the administrators of the law inferred from this verse, and hence enacted, that the fruit of the seventh year may only be eaten by man at home, as long as the kind is found in the field.
"As long as the animals eat the same kind in the field thou mayest eat what there is of it in the house, but if the animal has consumed it all in the field thou art bound to remove this kind from the house into the field." (For the enactment which enjoins the remission of debts in the sabbatical year, see
Deuteronomy 15:1-3.) During the second Temple the sabbatical year began on the first day of the month of Tishri, which was the beginning of the civil year. The tillage, however, and the cultivation of certain fields and gardens, were left off in the sixth year. The cultivation of corn-fields ceased from the Feast of Passover, and orchards from Pentecost of the sixth year. The reading of portions of the Law which is enjoined in
Deuteronomy 31:10-13, was assigned during the second Temple to the king. At the termination of the seventh fallow year, which coincided with the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles of the eighth year, a wooden platform was erected in the outer court of the Temple, on which the king was seated. The chief of the synagogue took the Book of the Law, and gave it to the head of the synagogue, who gave it to the head of the priests. He gave it to the high priest, and the latter handed it to the king, who stood up to receive it. He then sat down again, and read the following seven sections :--(1)
Deuteronomy 1:1 to
Deuteronomy 6:3; (2)
Deuteronomy 6:4-8; (3)
Deuteronomy 11:13-22; (4)
Deuteronomy 14:22 to
Deuteronomy 15:23; (5)
Deuteronomy 16:12-19; (6)
Deuteronomy 17:14-20; (7)
Deuteronomy 27:1 to
Deuteronomy 28:68. The king concluded with the same benedictions, which the high priest pronounced (see
Leviticus 16:27), only that he substituted the blessing for the festival for the absolution of sins. . . .
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
and for your livestockוְלִ֨בְהֶמְתְּךָ֔(wə·liḇ·hem·tə·ḵā)Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 929:A dumb beast, any large quadruped, animaland the wild animalsוְלַֽחַיָּ֖ה(wə·la·ḥay·yāh)Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2416:Alive, raw, fresh, strong, lifein your land.בְּאַרְצֶ֑ךָ(bə·’ar·ṣe·ḵā)Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 776:Earth, landAllכָל־(ḵāl)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605:The whole, all, any, everyof its growthתְּבוּאָתָ֖הּ(tə·ḇū·’ā·ṯāh)Noun - feminine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 8393:Product, revenuemay serveתִּהְיֶ֥ה(tih·yeh)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1961:To fall out, come to pass, become, beas food.לֶאֱכֹֽל׃(le·’ĕ·ḵōl)Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 398:To eat
Links
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OT Law: Leviticus 25:7 For your livestock also and (Le Lv Lev.) 
