Leviticus 25:11

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

A jubile {H3104} shall that fiftieth {H2572}{H8141} year {H8141} be unto you: ye shall not sow {H2232}, neither reap {H7114} that which groweth {H5599} of itself in it, nor gather {H1219} the grapes in it of thy vine undressed {H5139}.

Complete Jewish Bible

That fiftieth year will be a yovel for you; in that year you are not to sow, harvest what grows by itself or gather the grapes of untended vines;

Berean Standard Bible

The fiftieth year will be a Jubilee for you; you are not to sow the land or reap its aftergrowth or harvest the untended vines.

American Standard Version

A jubilee 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 the undressed vines.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 25:11 precisely defines the agricultural prohibitions for the Jubilee year, the divinely ordained fiftieth year of rest and restoration for ancient Israel. As the culmination of seven Sabbatical cycles, this unique period mandated a radical cessation from all normal agricultural labor: no sowing of crops, no reaping of volunteer growth, and no gathering from untended vines. This injunction profoundly underscored God's sovereign ownership of the land and His people's complete reliance on His miraculous provision, fostering a deep trust in His ability to sustain them outside conventional human effort and economic striving.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 25 meticulously details God's laws concerning the land and its inhabitants, establishing two distinct, yet interconnected, periods of rest: the Sabbatical Year (every seventh year, as outlined in [Leviticus 25:1-7](/leviticus/25-1-7 "Leviticus 25:1-7 - The Laws of the Sabbatical Year")) and the Jubilee Year. Verse 11 specifically elaborates on the agricultural implications of the Jubilee, building upon its initial introduction and proclamation in [Leviticus 25:8-10](/leviticus/25-8-10 "Leviticus 25:8-10 - The Proclamation of the Jubilee Year"). The preceding verses declare "liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof," and verse 11 then specifies a crucial practical outworking of this liberty: freedom from agricultural toil. This highlights that the land, like the people, belonged to God and required periodic rest and restoration. The agricultural prohibitions in [Leviticus 25:11](/leviticus/25-11 "Leviticus 25:11 - Agricultural Prohibitions of the Jubilee") directly parallel and extend those for the Sabbatical year found in [Leviticus 25:4-5](/leviticus/25-4-5 "Leviticus 25:4-5 - Agricultural Rules for the Sabbatical Year"), emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the fiftieth year's rest.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Israel was fundamentally an agrarian society, where land ownership and agricultural productivity were the bedrock of economic stability, social status, and family inheritance. In such a context, the divine command to cease all farming for an entire year, especially following a Sabbatical year, represented an extraordinarily radical economic policy and a profound test of faith. It directly challenged the prevailing human impulse to accumulate and control resources, instead reinforcing the foundational theological truth articulated in [Leviticus 25:23](/leviticus/25-23 "Leviticus 25:23 - God's Ownership of the Land"): "the land is mine; for ye are strangers and sojourners with me." The Jubilee served as a divinely instituted mechanism to prevent the permanent disenfranchisement of families through debt or misfortune, ensuring a periodic reset of land ownership and the release of indentured servants, as mandated in [Leviticus 25:10](/leviticus/25-10 "Leviticus 25:10 - Proclamation of Liberty for the Jubilee"). This comprehensive system was designed to maintain a degree of social equity, prevent the rise of a landless class, and ensure that all generations had access to their ancestral inheritance, thereby reflecting God's deep concern for justice and the holistic well-being of His covenant people.

* **Key Themes:** Leviticus 25:11 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Leviticus and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost among these is the theme of **God's Sovereignty and Ownership**. The agricultural prohibitions underscore that the land belongs to Yahweh, not to Israel, and therefore its use must be governed by His terms, not human ambition. This directly relates to the theme of **Trust and Dependence on God's Provision**, as the Israelites were called to relinquish control and rely entirely on God's supernatural blessing to sustain them during years of no cultivation (see [Leviticus 25:20-22](/leviticus/25-20-22 "Leviticus 25:20-22 - God's Promise of Provision for the Sabbatical and Jubilee Years")). The verse also reinforces the theme of **Rest and Sabbath**, extending the weekly Sabbath principle to the land itself, demonstrating God's wisdom in establishing rhythms for creation and humanity. Finally, the Jubilee, including its agricultural directives, embodies the theme of **Justice and Restoration**, aiming to prevent perpetual poverty and ensure societal equity by periodically resetting economic and social structures, reflecting God's desire for a just and compassionate community.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Jubile (Hebrew, _yôwbêl'_):** The Hebrew word יוֹבֵל (_yôwbêl_) refers to the blast of a horn, specifically the signal of the silver trumpets, and by extension, the instrument itself and the festival thus introduced. Its connection to the ram's horn trumpet, used to proclaim the Jubilee year on the Day of Atonement ([Leviticus 25:9](/leviticus/25-9 "Leviticus 25:9 - Proclamation by Trumpet")), emphasizes the declarative, public, and liberating nature of this year. The sound of the _yôwbêl_ signaled a profound societal reset, announcing freedom, restoration, and a new beginning for the land and its people.
* **sow (Hebrew, _zâraʻ'_):** The verb זָרַע (_zâraʻ_) is a primitive root meaning "to sow" or "to plant." Its explicit prohibition in the Jubilee year signifies a complete and intentional cessation of all agricultural labor involving the planting of seeds. This command was not a mere suggestion but a divine mandate, requiring a radical act of trust in God's provision and a deliberate departure from the usual human efforts to secure sustenance through cultivation.
* **undressed (Hebrew, _nâzîyr'_):** The term נָזִיר (_nâzîyr_), often translated as "undressed" or "unpruned," derives from a root meaning "separate" or "consecrated." In this agricultural context, it refers to vines that have been left untended, not pruned or harvested in the usual manner. The prohibition against gathering from such vines reinforces the comprehensive extent of the agricultural rest, indicating that even the natural, wild growth was not to be commercially exploited or systematically harvested, but left for the poor, the sojourner, and the animals, further demonstrating radical dependence on God's bounty.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"A jubile shall that fiftieth year be unto you":** This opening clause unequivocally establishes the identity and profound significance of the year in question. It is designated as the "Jubilee," the climactic culmination of seven Sabbatical cycles (7 x 7 = 49 years), marking it as a unique and sacred period. The phrase "unto you" emphasizes that this was a divine gift and a covenant obligation specifically for the people of Israel, meticulously designed for their spiritual formation, economic well-being, and demonstration of faith.
* **"ye shall not sow, neither reap that which groweth of itself in it":** This double prohibition outlines the fundamental agricultural restrictions for the Jubilee. "Ye shall not sow" forbids the deliberate planting of any crops, signifying a complete cessation of active cultivation. "Neither reap that which groweth of itself" extends this prohibition to include volunteer crops, also known as "aftergrowth" or "self-sown grain," which would naturally sprout from seeds dropped in previous seasons. This meant that even the spontaneous resurgence of last year's seeds was not to be harvested for personal gain or commercial purposes. This radical command compelled the Israelites to rely entirely on the produce of the 48th and 49th years, and what the land spontaneously offered for immediate, non-systematic sustenance, without organized harvesting.
* **"nor gather [the grapes] in it of thy vine undressed":** This final prohibition specifically addresses viticulture, the cultivation of grapes. "Undressed" vines are those that have been left unpruned and untended, allowed to grow wild. The command not to "gather" from them reinforces the overarching theme of complete agricultural rest. Similar to the grain, grapes from these untended vines were not to be systematically collected for wine production, storage, or commercial profit. This comprehensive restriction across major agricultural staples (grain and grapes) underscored the depth of the required trust in God's provision and the absolute extent of the land's mandated rest.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 25:11 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound message and underscore the radical nature of the Jubilee's agricultural laws. **Enumeration** and **Repetition** are prominently featured in the triple prohibition ("not sow, neither reap... nor gather"), which emphatically underscores the comprehensive and absolute nature of the agricultural cessation. This creates a sense of an unyielding divine decree, leaving no room for ambiguity regarding the required rest. There is also a subtle yet powerful **Paradox** at play: the path to true abundance, security, and flourishing is found not in ceaseless human toil and accumulation, but in radical rest and unwavering trust in God. By ceasing their labor, the Israelites were meant to experience God's supernatural provision, transforming a potential period of scarcity into one of divine sustenance and blessing. Furthermore, the entire concept of the Jubilee, as articulated in this verse, functions as rich **Symbolism**, representing God's ultimate sovereignty over time, land, and human destiny. It symbolizes liberation, restoration, and a return to an original, divinely ordained order, serving as a powerful foreshadowing of a greater spiritual reality to come.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 25:11, as an integral part of the broader Jubilee legislation, unveils profound theological truths about God's character and His intricate relationship with humanity and all of creation. It powerfully highlights God's absolute sovereignty as the ultimate owner of all land and the benevolent provider for His people, fundamentally challenging human self-sufficiency and fostering a radical, unwavering dependence. The explicit command for the land to rest underscores God's deep concern for creation's well-being and His divine wisdom in establishing rhythms of work and rest, demonstrating that even the earth needs its Sabbath. Furthermore, the Jubilee's foundational principles of release, restoration, and the prevention of economic exploitation reflect God's unwavering heart for social justice, equity, and the prevention of perpetual poverty, ensuring that every generation had a tangible opportunity for a fresh start and access to their ancestral inheritance.

* [Leviticus 25:20-22](/leviticus/25-20-22 "Leviticus 25:20-22 - God's Promise of Provision for the Sabbatical and Jubilee Years")
* [Leviticus 25:23](/leviticus/25-23 "Leviticus 25:23 - The Land Belongs to God")
* [Deuteronomy 15:1-11](/deuteronomy/15-1-11 "Deuteronomy 15:1-11 - The Year of Release and Care for the Poor")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The agricultural prohibitions of the Jubilee year, while specifically tailored for ancient Israel, offer timeless and profound principles for believers navigating the complexities of modern life. In a world that relentlessly equates personal worth with relentless productivity and defines security by material accumulation, Leviticus 25:11 stands as a counter-cultural call to a radical, counter-intuitive trust in God's unfailing provision. It challenges us to embrace rhythms of intentional rest—not as a mere luxury or a sign of weakness, but as a vital spiritual discipline that fundamentally acknowledges God's ultimate sovereignty over our time, our resources, and the very fabric of our lives. This means consciously stepping back from constant striving, allowing ourselves and even our "land" (our work, our minds, our bodies, our relationships) to experience periods of genuine rest, trusting implicitly that God will faithfully sustain us. Furthermore, the compassionate spirit of the Jubilee compels us to actively consider how we, as God's people, can participate in His ongoing work of justice and restoration within our own spheres of influence. How can we, in practical and tangible ways, alleviate burdens, promote equity, and ensure that others, especially the marginalized and indebted, are afforded opportunities to flourish and experience a fresh start, thereby reflecting God's heart for the vulnerable in our communities?

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where in your life do you find it most challenging to "let go" of control and trust in God's provision, rather than relying solely on your own striving and efforts?**
* **What practical and intentional steps can you take to incorporate more genuine rest—physically, mentally, and spiritually—into your weekly or yearly rhythms, mirroring the Sabbath principle?**
* **How can the principles of social justice and economic equity, so powerfully embodied in the Jubilee, inform your personal generosity, advocacy, and actions towards others in your community and beyond?**

### FAQ

**Was the Jubilee year ever fully observed by ancient Israel?**

Answer: Biblical scholars and historians extensively debate the extent to which the Jubilee year was consistently and fully observed throughout Israel's history. While there is some evidence for periods of observance and non-observance of the Sabbatical year (every seventh year), concrete historical evidence for the full, nationwide implementation of the Jubilee, with its radical land redistribution and universal release of all indentured servants, is less clear in the historical narratives of the Old Testament. Prophets like Jeremiah and Nehemiah lamented Israel's widespread failure to uphold various covenant laws, including those specifically related to release and justice ([Jeremiah 34:8-17](/jeremiah/34-8-17 "Jeremiah 34:8-17 - Breaking the Covenant of Release"); [Nehemiah 5:1-13](/nehemiah/5-1-13 "Nehemiah 5:1-13 - Nehemiah Addresses Social Injustice and Debt")). This suggests that while the Jubilee was a divinely commanded ideal, its practical execution likely faced significant and persistent challenges due to human greed, self-interest, and resistance to such a radical economic and social reset. Nevertheless, the law remained a divine standard, a prophetic ideal for justice, and a powerful vision of restoration for God's people.

**How were the Israelites expected to survive financially if they couldn't sow or reap for an entire year?**

Answer: God explicitly and miraculously promised to provide for the Israelites during both the Sabbatical and Jubilee years, demonstrating His faithfulness and their required trust. [Leviticus 25:20-22](/leviticus/25-20-22 "Leviticus 25:20-22 - God's Promise of a Triple Blessing") states that in the sixth year (the year immediately preceding the Sabbatical year), God would send a special blessing that would yield enough produce to sustain them for three full years—the sixth year itself, the Sabbatical seventh year, and the year following the Sabbatical year until the new harvest came in. For the Jubilee, which occurred after the seventh Sabbatical year (the 49th year), this meant the supernatural blessing in the 48th year would need to cover the needs of the 48th, 49th (Sabbatical), and 50th (Jubilee) years, plus the period until the harvest of the 51st year. This required an extraordinary act of divine provision and a profound act of faith on the part of the Israelites. They were expected to live off their stored produce from the supernaturally abundant 48th year, the spontaneous growth of the land (which was available for common consumption by all, not for private, organized harvesting), and God's promised blessing.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The Jubilee year, with its profound Old Testament themes of release from debt, restoration of inheritance, and new beginnings, finds its ultimate and spiritual fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament Jubilee primarily addressed physical land and economic debts, Jesus inaugurates a spiritual Jubilee that liberates humanity from the far more pervasive and destructive bondage of sin and the condemnation of eternal death. When Jesus began His public ministry in Nazareth, He powerfully declared His mission by reading from the scroll of Isaiah, proclaiming, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord" ([Luke 4:18-19](/luke/4-18-19 "Luke 4:18-19 - Jesus Proclaims His Mission from Isaiah 61")). This "acceptable year of the Lord" is a direct and intentional echo of the Jubilee, signifying His mission to bring ultimate, spiritual liberation. Through His perfect life, atoning sacrifice on the cross, and glorious resurrection, Jesus pays the insurmountable debt of sin, setting us truly free from its slavery and the condemnation of the law ([Romans 8:1-2](/romans/8-1-2 "Romans 8:1-2 - Freedom from Condemnation in Christ Jesus")). He is our true and eternal rest, inviting all who are weary and burdened by the weight of sin and striving to find "rest for your souls" in Him ([Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28-30 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Jesus' Invitation to Rest")). In Christ, our spiritual inheritance as children of God is fully restored ([Ephesians 1:11-14](/ephesians/1-11-14 "Ephesians 1:11-14 - Our Inheritance in Christ")), and we are granted a new beginning, not merely every fifty years, but eternally through His redemptive work, anticipating the final and complete restoration of all things when He returns in glory ([Acts 3:21](/acts/3-21 "Acts 3:21 - Restoration of All Things Through Christ")).

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 27:17

If he sanctify his field from the year of jubile, according to thy estimation it shall stand.

Leviticus 25:4

But in the seventh year shall be a sabbath of rest unto the land, a sabbath for the LORD: thou shalt neither sow thy field, nor prune thy vineyard.

Leviticus 25:5

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.