Leviticus 25:5 kjv

That which groweth of its own accord of thy harvest thou shalt not reap, neither gather the grapes of thy vine undressed: for it is a year of rest unto the land.

Leviticus 25:5 nkjv

What grows of its own accord of your harvest you shall not reap, nor gather the grapes of your untended vine, for it is a year of rest for the land.

Leviticus 25:5 niv

Do not reap what grows of itself or harvest the grapes of your untended vines. The land is to have a year of rest.

Leviticus 25:5 esv

You shall not reap what grows of itself in your harvest, or gather the grapes of your undressed vine. It shall be a year of solemn rest for the land.

Leviticus 25:5 nlt

And don't store away the crops that grow on their own or gather the grapes from your unpruned vines. The land must have a year of complete rest.

Leviticus 25 verses

Leviticus 25 5 Meaning

Leviticus 25:5 details specific prohibitions regarding the use of land during the sabbatical year (Shemitah). It states that what grows spontaneously from the fallen seeds of the previous harvest, referred to as 'volunteer growth' (sephiakh), should not be reaped intentionally by the landowner. Similarly, the grapes on vines that have been left untended, not pruned or harvested for profit during this special year, are also not to be gathered. This entire practice reinforces the understanding that this is "a year of sabbath rest for the land," emphasizing the land's right to rest as a divine ordinance, mirroring the weekly human Sabbath. It encourages trust in God's provision over human exertion and acquisitiveness.

Leviticus 25 5 Context

Leviticus chapter 25 details the laws of the Sabbath years (Shemitah) and the Year of Jubilee (Yovel). Verse 5 specifically addresses how the land is to be treated during the Shemitah year, which occurred every seven years. The broader context begins in verse 1 with God speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai, establishing divine commands for when Israel enters the Promised Land. This particular verse expands on the command in verse 4 that the "land shall have a Sabbath of complete rest, a Sabbath for the Lord." Historically and culturally, the ancient Israelites were an agrarian society deeply dependent on their land for survival. This law challenged their economic anxieties and their tendency to exploit resources. It served as a profound test of faith, requiring them to trust in God's miraculous provision for six years' worth of harvest in the sixth year (Lev 25:20-22) to cover two years (the Shemitah and the subsequent year of normal planting). This command set Israel apart from surrounding cultures by placing limits on human ambition and demonstrating stewardship under God's sovereignty.

Leviticus 25 5 Word analysis

• את ספיח (et sephiakh): "What grows of itself." Sephiakh refers to "aftergrowth" or "volunteer growth" that sprouts from scattered seeds without human sowing. It emphasizes the natural, spontaneous yield of the land. This contrasts with deliberate cultivation, highlighting that even natural bounty during this year is divinely consecrated and not for personal commercial gain.
• קצירך (ketsircha): "Your harvest." This connects to the previous year's planned cultivation. The implication is that what grows "after your harvest" (i.e., sephiakh from your previous, reaped harvest) is still under the Shemitah regulations.
• לא תקצור (lo tiktsor): "You shall not reap." A clear and absolute prohibition using the Hebrew negative particle lo. The act of reaping here refers to a systematic, full-scale gathering for personal profit or storage, not simply casual consumption for hunger (as permitted by other gleaning laws).
• ואת ענבי נזירך (ve'et anavey nezircha): "And the grapes of your undressed vine."
  • ענבי (anavey) means "grapes of."
  • נזירך (nezircha) is related to nazir (Nazarite), implying something "separated" or "dedicated." In the context of vines, it refers to a vine that is "undefended," "unpruned," or "left alone." This specific term signifies a vine that has not received its usual attention and cultivation for the purpose of a maximized commercial harvest. Its produce is now sacred or common property for those in need during the Shemitah year.
• לא תבצר (lo tivtsor): "You shall not gather (grapes)." Similar to "reap," this signifies not collecting for one's own storage or profit. This applies specifically to grape harvesting.
• שנת שבתון (shenat shabbaton): "A year of sabbath rest / complete rest."
  • שנת (shenat) means "year of."
  • שבתון (shabbaton) intensifies the idea of "Sabbath." It implies a "grand Sabbath," a period of total cessation from agricultural work and commercial activity related to the land. It denotes a solemn, God-ordained rest.
• יהיה (yihyeh): "It shall be." Future tense, imperative mood, indicating a divine decree that must come to pass.
• לארץ (la'aretz): "For the land." Emphasizes that this rest is for the land itself. The land has rights and a divine purpose that human labor should not infringe upon annually. It shifts focus from human profit to the stewardship of God's creation.

Words-group Analysis:

• "What grows of itself after your harvest you shall not reap, and the grapes of your undressed vine you shall not gather": This entire phrase sets the specific boundaries of agricultural prohibition. It forbids exploitation of natural, uncultivated growth and untended vine production for personal gain during the Shemitah year. It promotes reliance on God's existing provision (v. 6-7) rather than human efforts or attempts to profit from the "free" bounty. It trains people in self-discipline and the curbing of greed.
• "It shall be a year of sabbath rest for the land": This concluding phrase summarizes the underlying principle and divine rationale for the preceding prohibitions. The land itself is designated for rest, akin to how people and animals observe the weekly Sabbath. It emphasizes a theological view of creation, where even the land participates in the divine pattern of rest and consecration to God.

Leviticus 25 5 Bonus section

The Shemitah law, highlighted in Leviticus 25:5, extends the concept of the Sabbath not just to individuals but to the entire agricultural ecosystem. It reflects a radical, counter-cultural principle of environmental and social justice for its time. Unlike many ancient Near Eastern cultures that exploited natural resources to their maximum, Israel was commanded to show restraint and reverence for creation. This also challenged the notion that a nation's prosperity solely depended on constant human effort; instead, it presented a divine economic model where adherence to God's ordained rest could lead to supernatural blessing and sustainabilty. The non-cultivation and non-reaping in this verse were not intended to create scarcity, but to foster faith, redistribute wealth through common access to natural produce, and promote long-term soil health. This ecological principle, embedded deeply in the Law, remains relevant today as a theological basis for environmental stewardship and sustainable practices, emphasizing God's ultimate ownership of the land.

Leviticus 25 5 Commentary

Leviticus 25:5 is a foundational verse within the Shemitah laws, serving as a powerful lesson in theological economics and practical faith. It moves beyond simply not planting, as stated in previous verses, by forbidding the harvesting of any produce from the land for commercial or personal storage purposes during the seventh year, even if it grows spontaneously. This stringent command tests Israel's trust in God's promised provision for that year (Lev 25:20-22). The "undressed vine" and "volunteer growth" are specifically mentioned because they represent produce that would tempt farmers to subtly circumvent the law by claiming it wasn't intentionally sown. God leaves no room for such interpretations, emphasizing that all profit-driven harvesting from the land ceases. The verse ultimately teaches humility, stewardship of creation, and profound dependence on Yahweh, fostering social equity by leaving what does grow for the poor and wild animals (Exod 23:11, Lev 25:6-7), rather than private gain. It is a powerful example of living by divine design, not by human drive alone, illustrating how rest is intrinsic to flourishing, both for the land and for the people dependent on it.