Leviticus 25:20

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And if ye shall say, What shall we eat the seventh year? behold, we shall not sow, nor gather in our increase:

Complete Jewish Bible:

"'If you ask, "If we aren't allowed to sow seed or harvest what our land produces, what are we going to eat the seventh year?"

Berean Standard Bible:

Now you may wonder, ‘What will we eat in the seventh year if we do not sow or gather our produce?’

American Standard Version:

And if ye shall say, What shall we eat the seventh year? behold, we shall not sow, nor gather in our increase;

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And if ye shall say^{H559}, What shall we eat^{H398} the seventh^{H7637} year^{H8141}? behold, we shall not sow^{H2232}, nor gather^{H622} in our increase^{H8393}:

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Commentary for Leviticus 25:20

Leviticus 25:20 is part of a larger section in the book of Leviticus that deals with the laws of the Sabbath year, also known as the "Year of Release" or "Shmita" in Hebrew. This verse specifically addresses the concerns of the Israelites regarding the seventh year, during which they were commanded not to sow or reap their fields (Exodus 23:10-11, Leviticus 25:1-7).

**Themes:**
1. **Trust in Providence:** The verse reflects the theme of trust in God's provision. The Israelites are reassured that despite not cultivating their land in the seventh year, God will provide for their needs.
2. **Sabbath Observance:** It emphasizes the importance of observing the Sabbath year as a time of rest for the land, mirroring the weekly Sabbath rest for people and animals.
3. **Economic Justice:** The Sabbath year also served as a time of economic respite, during which debts were remitted, and indentured servants were released, promoting social equity.
4. **Sustainable Agriculture:** The practice encouraged sustainable agricultural practices, allowing the land to lie fallow and replenish its nutrients.

**Historical Context:**
The book of Leviticus is traditionally attributed to Moses and is part of the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Hebrew Bible. It contains laws and regulations given to the Israelites after their exodus from Egypt, during their wilderness wanderings, as they prepared to enter the Promised Land.

The laws in Leviticus 25 were given in the context of an agrarian society in which the economy was heavily dependent on crop yields. The Sabbath year would have been a significant test of faith for the people, as it required them to refrain from agricultural activities every seventh year, trusting that God would sustain them through the produce of the sixth year and the natural yield of the land in the seventh.

This commandment was not only a religious observance but also a socio-economic one, designed to prevent the accumulation of wealth at the expense of the poor and to ensure that the land, which was seen as belonging to God, was treated with respect and care.

In summary, Leviticus 25:20 is part of the instructions for the Sabbath year, highlighting themes of trust in God, adherence to divine commandments, social justice, and environmental stewardship within the historical context of ancient Israelite society.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
2. Strong's Number: H398
   There are 825 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָכַל
   Transliteration: ʼâkal
   Pronunciation: aw-kal'
   Description: a primitive root; to eat (literally or figuratively); [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite.
   
3. Strong's Number: H7637
   There are 94 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שְׁבִיעִי
   Transliteration: shᵉbîyʻîy
   Pronunciation: sheb-ee-ee'
   Description: or שְׁבִעִי; ordinal from שִׁבְעִים; seventh; seventh (time).
   
4. Strong's Number: H8141
   There are 647 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁנֶה
   Transliteration: shâneh
   Pronunciation: shaw-neh'
   Description: (in plural or (feminine) שָׁנָה; from שָׁנָה; a year (as a revolution of time); [phrase] whole age, [idiom] long, [phrase] old, year([idiom] -ly).
   
5. Strong's Number: H2232
   There are 54 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: זָרַע
   Transliteration: zâraʻ
   Pronunciation: zaw-rah'
   Description: a primitive root; to sow; figuratively, to disseminate, plant, fructify; bear, conceive seed, set with sow(-er), yield.
   
6. Strong's Number: H622
   There are 281 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָסַף
   Transliteration: ʼâçaph
   Pronunciation: aw-saf'
   Description: a primitive root; to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e. remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.); assemble, bring, consume, destroy, felch, gather (in, together, up again), [idiom] generally, get (him), lose, put all together, receive, recover (another from leprosy), (be) rereward, [idiom] surely, take (away, into, up), [idiom] utterly, withdraw.
   
7. Strong's Number: H8393
   There are 40 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: תְּבוּאָה
   Transliteration: tᵉbûwʼâh
   Pronunciation: teb-oo-aw'
   Description: from בּוֹא; income, i.e. produce (literally or figuratively); fruit, gain, increase, revenue.