Leviticus 25:3 kjv

Six years thou shalt sow thy field, and six years thou shalt prune thy vineyard, and gather in the fruit thereof;

Leviticus 25:3 nkjv

Six years you shall sow your field, and six years you shall prune your vineyard, and gather its fruit;

Leviticus 25:3 niv

For six years sow your fields, and for six years prune your vineyards and gather their crops.

Leviticus 25:3 esv

For six years you shall sow your field, and for six years you shall prune your vineyard and gather in its fruits,

Leviticus 25:3 nlt

For six years you may plant your fields and prune your vineyards and harvest your crops,

Leviticus 25 verses

Leviticus 25 3 Meaning

Leviticus 25:3 sets the foundational pattern for agricultural activity in the land of Israel, stipulating a cycle of six years during which the people are permitted to cultivate their fields by sowing and pruning their vineyards to gather their yield. This establishes a divine rhythm for the land, paralleling the six days of human labor before a day of rest, thereby preparing for the mandated Sabbath rest for the land in the seventh year, as detailed subsequently in the chapter. It emphasizes human stewardship within God's sovereign design, ensuring both productivity and periodic restoration.

Leviticus 25 3 Context

Leviticus chapter 25 details the laws concerning the Sabbath year for the land (Shemitah) and the Year of Jubilee (Yovel). This specific verse, 25:3, introduces the foundational premise of agricultural work leading up to the Sabbath rest. Historically, Israel was about to enter the Promised Land, a land dependent on rain and its harvests, contrasting sharply with the irrigation-dependent Egypt they left. The laws in Leviticus 25 provided a unique economic, social, and agricultural framework, underscoring God's ultimate ownership of the land (Lev 25:23).

Culturally, neighboring Canaanite peoples practiced intensive agriculture and fertility cults, constantly working their land and seeking favor from various deities like Baal for fruitful harvests. The divine command for Israel to periodically cease cultivation served as a direct theological polemic against these beliefs. It declared that the land's fertility and their provision were not dependent on human ceaseless toil or pagan rituals, but on the covenant faithfulness and sovereign provision of Yahweh, who alone could ensure their sustenance, even without active human planting every seventh year. It challenged their understanding of productivity and highlighted God's role as the provider.

Leviticus 25 3 Word analysis

• Six years (שֵׁשׁ שָׁנִים, shesh shanim):

  • Word: "Six" (shesh) points to a completed period of labor, mirroring the six days of creation and human work week (Ex 20:9). It signifies a set duration, not an arbitrary period, rooted in divine pattern.
  • Significance: Establishes the rhythmic, time-bound nature of human work. It implies diligence and consistency within this allotted time.

• you shall sow (תִּזְרָע, tizra):

  • Word: From the root זרע (zara', "to sow," "scatter seed"). Implies intentional agricultural activity and labor.
  • Significance: Represents the fundamental act of initiating cultivation. This active participation in producing food underscores human responsibility in stewardship.

• your field (שָׂדֶךָ, sadekha):

  • Word: "Field" (sadeh) with the possessive suffix "your." Refers to arable land, generally open cultivated areas.
  • Significance: Though God owns all the land, it highlights individual or family stewardship over their specific plots, entailing responsibility and care.

• and six years (וְשֵׁשׁ שָׁנִים, v'shesh shanim):

  • Word-group: The repetition reinforces the precise six-year period, showing that the same timeframe applies to both major forms of agriculture described. The connective "and" (vav) links these activities.
  • Significance: Underscores the consistent cycle and applies the principle broadly across primary agricultural efforts.

• you shall prune (תִּזְמֹר, tizmor):

  • Word: From the root זמר (zamar, "to prune," "to trim"). This is a specific vineyard-related task, crucial for the health and yield of grapevines.
  • Significance: Details specific types of labor involved, indicating meticulous care and investment in long-term productivity beyond simple sowing.

• your vineyard (כַּרְמֶךָ, karmekha):

  • Word: "Vineyard" (kerem) with the possessive "your."
  • Significance: Signifies another key agricultural enterprise, demonstrating the broad application of the law to various forms of land use and income generation. Vineyards represent substantial, long-term investments.

• and gather in its yield (וְאָסַפְתָּ אֶת־תְּבוּאָתָהּ, v'asafta et tevu'atah):

  • Word-group: "Gather in" (asaph) signifies harvesting and collecting. "Its yield" (tevu'ah) refers to the produce or increase of the land.
  • Significance: The culmination of the labor, indicating the period of reaping the fruits of their efforts. It implies a time of provision and sustenance, contingent upon diligent work and God's blessing on that work. It is the practical outcome of the previous actions.

Leviticus 25 3 Bonus section

• Ecological Stewardship: This verse, preceding the Sabbath for the land, reveals an ancient wisdom about soil regeneration and sustainable agriculture. Resting the land allows for natural nutrient restoration, pest control reduction, and prevents soil exhaustion, demonstrating God's design for long-term health of the environment.
• Theology of Trust vs. Anxiety: The command implies a deep trust in God’s provision, as pausing production for an entire year naturally evokes questions of sustenance. This contrasts with a human tendency toward anxiety and overwork, inviting reliance on divine grace over human effort alone (Mt 6:25-33).
• A Rhythmic Life: The pattern of six periods of work followed by one of rest is not just for agriculture but is a pervasive principle in God's creation (Gen 2:2-3, Ex 20:9-10). It encourages a life lived in rhythm, avoiding burnout and promoting a holistic well-being that balances labor with rest and renewal.

Leviticus 25 3 Commentary

Leviticus 25:3 initiates the framework for the unique Sabbath of the land, demonstrating that divine law encompasses not only human rest but also the rest of creation. It is an intentional prelude to the agricultural Sabbath (Shemitah) of the seventh year (Lev 25:4), drawing a direct parallel with the weekly Sabbath for individuals. By prescribing six years of specific agricultural activities—sowing fields, pruning vineyards, and gathering the produce—the verse establishes a period of active, disciplined stewardship. This structure highlights several key theological principles: God’s order and sovereignty over time and the earth; the requirement for diligent human labor as a means of provision; and the crucial principle of delayed gratification and trust in God for the eventual Sabbath year’s bounty (Lev 25:20-22).

This command was revolutionary. In an ancient world where agricultural production was constant and paramount for survival, the instruction to let the land lie fallow represented a profound act of faith in God’s miraculous provision. It served as a safeguard against exploitative land practices, promoting sustainability, and emphasizing that prosperity ultimately flows from obedience and divine blessing, not solely from human ceaseless effort. It reminds Israel that the land belongs to God, and they are merely stewards (Lev 25:23), learning to live in harmony with creation’s natural rhythms, ordained by the Creator.