Exodus 23:11

KJV

But the seventh [year] thou shalt let it rest and lie still; that the poor of thy people may eat: and what they leave the beasts of the field shall eat. In like manner thou shalt deal with thy vineyard, [and] with thy oliveyard.

KJV (with Strong's)

But the seventh {H7637} year thou shalt let it rest {H8058} and lie {H5203} still; that the poor {H34} of thy people {H5971} may eat {H398}: and what they leave {H3499} the beasts {H2416} of the field {H7704} shall eat {H398}. In like manner thou shalt deal {H6213} with thy vineyard {H3754}, and with thy oliveyard {H2132}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But the seventh year, you are to let it rest and lie fallow, so that the poor among your people can eat; and what they leave, the wild animals in the countryside can eat. Do the same with your vineyard and olive grove.

Berean Standard Bible

but in the seventh year you must let it rest and lie fallow, so that the poor among your people may eat from the field and the wild animals may consume what they leave. Do the same with your vineyard and olive grove.

American Standard Version

but the seventh year thou shalt let it rest and lie fallow; that the poor of thy people may eat: and what they leave the beast of the field shall eat. In like manner thou shalt deal with thy vineyard, and with thy oliveyard.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 23:11 introduces a foundational tenet of the Mosaic Law: the "sabbatical year" or Shmita. This divine command dictates that every seventh year, the land of Israel must lie fallow, remaining uncultivated. This period of rest was not merely for agricultural regeneration but served a profound socio-economic and theological purpose, ensuring that the poor and even wild animals could freely partake of the land's natural yield. This statute extends the principle of Sabbath rest from human labor to the very earth, underscoring God's holistic concern for creation, His commitment to social justice, and His call for Israel to faithfully rely on His abundant provision over their own ceaseless efforts.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Exodus 23:11 is situated within the "Book of the Covenant" (Exodus 20:22-23:33), a detailed exposition of laws given by God to Israel at Mount Sinai, following the Ten Commandments. Specifically, it expands upon the broader principle of Sabbath rest, which is first introduced for humanity in the Decalogue (e.g., [Exodus 20:8-11](/exodus/20-8-11 "Exodus 20:8-11 - Remember the Sabbath Day")). The immediate preceding verse, [Exodus 23:10](/exodus/23-10 "Exodus 23:10 - The Sabbatical Year Introduced"), sets the stage by generally introducing the concept of sowing for six years. Verse 11 then elaborates on the specifics of the seventh year, extending the Sabbath principle to the land itself, including vineyards and oliveyards. This comprehensive application highlights the pervasive nature of God's design for rest and renewal, integrating it into every aspect of Israelite life and economy. The subsequent verses in [Exodus 23](/exodus/23 "Exodus 23 - Laws and Warnings") continue to detail various ethical guidelines and annual feasts, reinforcing the idea of a covenant life lived in harmony with God's commands and for the well-being of the entire community.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Israel was fundamentally an agrarian society, where land ownership and agricultural productivity were paramount to survival and prosperity. In contrast to the often exploitative and unsustainable farming practices prevalent in the ancient Near East, the concept of a sabbatical year (Shmita) was revolutionary. It mandated a complete cessation of cultivation every seventh year, a practice unparalleled among their neighbors. This command required immense faith, as it meant foregoing an entire year's income and relying entirely on God's promised provision from the previous year's harvest or His miraculous sustenance. Beyond its agricultural benefits of soil regeneration, this law was deeply socio-economic. It functioned as a divinely instituted welfare system, ensuring that the most vulnerable members of society—the poor, the sojourner, and even wild animals—had free access to the land's natural bounty. This radical provision, further detailed in [Leviticus 25:1-7](/leviticus/25-1-7 "Leviticus 25:1-7 - The Law of the Sabbatical Year and Jubilee"), showcased God's compassionate heart for the marginalized and His desire for an equitable society, starkly contrasting with the often harsh realities of the surrounding cultures. The historical record demonstrates that Israel's failure to observe these sabbatical and jubilee laws was a significant factor leading to their exile, as explicitly stated in [2 Chronicles 36:21](/2_chronicles/36-21 "2 Chronicles 36:21 - Fulfillment of Jeremiah's Prophecy").

* **Key Themes:** Exodus 23:11 contributes significantly to several major theological and narrative themes within the Pentateuch and the broader biblical narrative. Central among these is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Provision**, where God demonstrates His ultimate ownership of the land and His ability to sustain His people even without their human labor. This fosters a deep reliance on His faithfulness rather than self-sufficiency, echoing themes found in the wilderness wanderings where manna was provided (e.g., [Exodus 16:4-5](/exodus/16-4-5 "Exodus 16:4-5 - The Provision of Manna")). Another crucial theme is **Social Justice and Compassion for the Vulnerable**. The explicit designation of the land's natural yield for "the poor of thy people" and "the beasts of the field" highlights God's unwavering concern for the marginalized and His desire for an equitable society, a principle woven throughout the Mosaic Law (e.g., [Deuteronomy 15:7-11](/deuteronomy/15-7-11 "Deuteronomy 15:7-11 - Lending to the Poor")). Furthermore, the verse reinforces the theme of **Sabbath and Rest**, extending the principle from weekly human cessation of labor to an annual rest for the land itself, emphasizing a holistic rhythm of rest and renewal that reflects God's own creative work (e.g., [Genesis 2:2-3](/genesis/2-2-3 "Genesis 2:2-3 - God Rests on the Seventh Day")). This also touches upon **Environmental Stewardship**, as the land's rest allows for natural regeneration, promoting long-term ecological health and sustainability.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Rest (Hebrew, _shâmaṭ'_ H8058):** This verb means "to fling down," "to let alone," "to desist," or "to remit." In the context of the sabbatical year, it conveys more than mere inactivity; it implies a deliberate act of relinquishing human control and claim over the land and its produce for a season. It is an act of faith and obedience, releasing control to God and for the benefit of others. It signifies a divinely mandated cessation of human cultivation, allowing the land to recover and its natural yield to be accessible to all, embodying the core concept of the Shmita.
* **Poor (Hebrew, _ʼebyôwn'_ H34):** This term specifically refers to the needy, the destitute, or the truly impoverished. It often denotes someone who is in want and dependent on others or on God's provision. The explicit mention of the "poor of thy people" highlights a primary social justice aim of the sabbatical year, ensuring that the most vulnerable in society had access to sustenance, embodying God's heart for the marginalized and His desire for an equitable distribution of resources.
* **Eat (Hebrew, _ʼâkal'_ H398):** This primitive root means "to eat" (literally or figuratively), "to consume," or "to devour." In this verse, it emphasizes the practical outcome of the sabbatical year: the provision of food. The land's natural yield is made available for consumption by the poor and animals, underscoring the purpose of the land's rest as a means of sustenance for those who cannot provide for themselves, and a demonstration of God's comprehensive care for all living creatures.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But the seventh [year] thou shalt let it rest and lie still;":** This initial clause establishes the core command: every seventh year, agricultural land must be left uncultivated. The dual phrase "rest and lie still" (from the Hebrew _shâmaṭ_ and _nâṭash_) emphasizes a complete cessation of all agricultural labor, including plowing, sowing, and harvesting. This mandated inactivity allows the land to recover its fertility and signifies a profound act of relinquishing human control over its productivity for that period, extending the principle of the weekly Sabbath to the very earth itself.
* **"that the poor of thy people may eat:":** This specifies a primary, divinely ordained purpose of the land's rest—social welfare. The natural yield that grows spontaneously during the sabbatical year was not for the landowner's profit or exclusive use but was explicitly designated for the impoverished. This provision served as a crucial, divinely instituted safety net, ensuring that the most vulnerable members of society had access to food without having to labor for it, thereby fostering economic equity and embodying God's compassion.
* **"and what they leave the beasts of the field shall eat.":** This clause further broadens the beneficiaries of the sabbatical year's natural bounty to include wild animals. This demonstrates God's comprehensive care for all creation, extending His concern beyond humanity to the animal kingdom. It also reinforces the idea that during this year, the land's produce was considered common property, not subject to human ownership or control, but freely available to all creatures, highlighting a universal aspect of God's provision.
* **"In like manner thou shalt deal with thy vineyard, [and] with thy oliveyard.":** This final clause clarifies that the command for the land to rest and for its spontaneous produce to be accessible to the poor and animals applies not only to staple crops (like grain) but also specifically to vineyards and oliveyards. This emphasizes the comprehensive and universal application of the sabbatical year across all primary agricultural endeavors in ancient Israel, leaving no room for selective obedience and ensuring that the principle of rest and provision permeated the entire agrarian economy.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 23:11 employs several significant literary devices to convey its profound message. **Parallelism** is evident in the extension of the Sabbath principle from the weekly human rest (introduced in [Exodus 23:12](/exodus/23-12 "Exodus 23:12 - The Weekly Sabbath")) to the annual rest for the land, vineyards, and oliveyards. This highlights a consistent divine pattern of rest and renewal that permeates creation. The verse also functions as a form of **Legal Casuistry**, applying a general divine principle (Sabbath) to specific, practical cases within the agricultural economy (fields, vineyards, oliveyards). The use of **Metonymy** is present, where "the land" implicitly stands for its produce, and "the poor" and "beasts of the field" represent the wider community of beneficiaries, underscoring the expansive reach of God's provision. Furthermore, the command itself implies a profound act of **Faith**, as Israel was called to trust in God's supernatural provision despite foregoing a year's harvest, showcasing a theological principle embedded within a legal framework. The explicit mention of the "poor" and "beasts" also serves as a form of **Inclusivity**, demonstrating God's expansive compassion that extends beyond human owners to the marginalized and even to the animal kingdom, illustrating the breadth of His covenant care.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 23:11 powerfully articulates God's holistic concern for His creation and His people. It seamlessly integrates principles of divine provision, social justice, and environmental stewardship, demonstrating that true worship involves not only obedience to God but also compassionate care for others and responsible interaction with the natural world. The sabbatical year was a tangible expression of Israel's covenant relationship with Yahweh, requiring them to trust in God's sustained blessing rather than their own ceaseless labor, and to share generously with those in need. This law reveals a God who champions equity, sustainability, and rest, inviting His people into a rhythm that reflects His own creative and redemptive work, ultimately fostering a society that mirrors His character.

* [Exodus 20:8](/exodus/20-8 "Remember the Sabbath Day")
* [Leviticus 25:4](/leviticus/25-4 "The Sabbatical Year")
* [Deuteronomy 15:7](/deuteronomy/15-7 "Lending to the Poor")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 23:11 challenges us to profoundly re-evaluate our relationship with work, resources, and the marginalized in a world often driven by relentless productivity and accumulation. This ancient command calls us to embrace a counter-cultural rhythm of rest and release, inviting us to trust in God's abundant provision, recognizing that our ultimate security comes not from our own ceaseless efforts but from His unfailing faithfulness. Furthermore, it compels us to actively seek out and care for the poor and vulnerable in our communities, understanding that our resources are given to us not merely for personal gain but for the common good and the flourishing of all. Finally, it serves as a powerful reminder of our sacred duty as stewards of creation, encouraging sustainable practices that honor God's design and preserve the earth for future generations. Embracing these principles fosters a more just, compassionate, and God-honoring way of life, reflecting His character in our daily rhythms and interactions.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of "rest" in Exodus 23:11 challenge my modern understanding of productivity, success, and personal accumulation?**
* **In what practical ways can I apply the principle of "letting the land rest" to my own life, work, or resources, fostering renewal, sustainability, and a deeper trust in God's provision?**
* **How can I, like the sabbatical year, intentionally create space and resources for the "poor of my people" or those marginalized in my community, demonstrating God's compassion?**
* **What anxieties about provision or control might I need to "release" to God, trusting more fully in His ability to sustain me and guide my stewardship?**

### FAQ

**What is the "sabbatical year" (Shmita) mentioned in this verse?**

Answer: The "sabbatical year," also known as Shmita (from the Hebrew root _shamat_, meaning "release"), is a unique agricultural and economic regulation within the Mosaic Law, mandated for ancient Israel every seventh year. During this year, the land was to lie fallow, meaning it was not to be plowed, sown, or harvested in the usual manner. Any produce that grew naturally was considered ownerless and was to be freely accessible to the poor, the needy, and even wild animals. This command extended the principle of the weekly Sabbath rest to the land itself, emphasizing themes of divine provision, social justice, and environmental stewardship. Further details are found in [Leviticus 25:1-7](/leviticus/25-1-7 "Leviticus 25:1-7 - The Law of the Sabbatical Year and Jubilee").

**How did the Israelites survive without a harvest during the sabbatical year?**

Answer: The command for the sabbatical year required a profound act of faith in God's provision. God promised that He would bless the sixth year with an abundant harvest, sufficient to sustain the people through the seventh year of rest and into the eighth year until the new crops grew (as promised in [Leviticus 25:20-22](/leviticus/25-20-22 "Leviticus 25:20-22 - God's Promise for the Sabbatical Year")). This required Israel to trust in God's supernatural provision rather than relying solely on their own agricultural labor and foresight. It was a test of their obedience and faith in the covenant, demonstrating that their sustenance ultimately came from Him.

**Is the law of the sabbatical year still applicable to believers today?**

Answer: While the specific agricultural and economic mandates of the sabbatical year (Exodus 23:11) were part of the Mosaic Law given to ancient Israel, the underlying principles remain profoundly relevant for believers today. We are called to embrace the spirit of this law by practicing **trust in God's provision** (as Jesus taught in [Matthew 6:25-34](/matthew/6-25-34 "Matthew 6:25-34 - Do Not Worry")), **compassion for the poor and marginalized** (seen throughout the New Testament, e.g., [James 2:14-17](/james/2-14-17 "James 2:14-17 - Faith Without Works Is Dead")), and **responsible stewardship of creation** (as outlined in [Genesis 1:28](/genesis/1-28 "Genesis 1:28 - Dominion Over Creation") and [Psalm 24:1](/psalms/24-1 "Psalm 24:1 - The Earth is the Lord's")). The principle of rest and renewal, central to the Sabbath and sabbatical year, also applies to our lives, encouraging us to find physical, mental, and spiritual rest in God, as well as to release our grip on possessions and control.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 23:11, with its emphasis on rest, release, and provision for the poor, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment. Jesus himself is the ultimate embodiment of the Sabbath principle, declaring that the Son of Man is "Lord even of the Sabbath" ([Mark 2:28](/mark/2-28 "Mark 2:28 - Lord of the Sabbath")). He came not to abolish the law but to fulfill it, revealing its deeper spiritual intent and bringing true rest. Where the sabbatical year offered temporary release from toil and material provision, Christ offers eternal rest and complete spiritual sustenance. He invites all who are weary and burdened to come to Him, promising to give them "rest for your souls" ([Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28-30 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary")). Furthermore, Jesus perfectly exemplifies the compassion for the poor and marginalized that the sabbatical year sought to instill. He identified with the hungry, the thirsty, and the stranger, declaring that acts of kindness shown to "one of the least of these brothers of mine" were shown to Him ([Matthew 25:35-40](/matthew/25-35-40 "Matthew 25:35-40 - The Sheep and the Goats")). As the "bread of life" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus the Bread of Life")), He is the ultimate provision, far surpassing the natural yield of a fallow field. Through His sacrificial death and resurrection, Christ has released humanity from the curse of sin and the futility of endless toil, ushering in a new creation and an eternal rest for those who believe ([Hebrews 4:9-10](/hebrews/4-9-10 "Hebrews 4:9-10 - A Sabbath Rest Remains")). Thus, the sabbatical year foreshadows the comprehensive spiritual and physical provision, justice, and rest found in Jesus Christ, our ultimate Sabbath.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Leviticus 25:11

A jubile shall that fiftieth year be unto you: ye shall not sow, neither reap that which groweth of itself in it, nor gather [the grapes] in it of thy vine undressed.

Leviticus 25:12

For it [is] the jubile; it shall be holy unto you: ye shall eat the increase thereof out of the field.

Leviticus 26:34

Then shall the land enjoy her sabbaths, as long as it lieth desolate, and ye [be] in your enemies' land; [even] then shall the land rest, and enjoy her sabbaths.

Leviticus 26:35

As long as it lieth desolate it shall rest; because it did not rest in your sabbaths, when ye dwelt upon it.

Leviticus 25:2

Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye come into the land which I give you, then shall the land keep a sabbath unto the LORD.

Leviticus 25:7

And for thy cattle, and for the beast that [are] in thy land, shall all the increase thereof be meat.

Leviticus 25:22

And ye shall sow the eighth year, and eat [yet] of old fruit until the ninth year; until her fruits come in ye shall eat [of] the old [store].