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.

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}.

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;

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.

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

Context of Leviticus 25:11

Leviticus chapter 25 lays out God's unique economic and social laws for ancient Israel, particularly concerning the land and its inhabitants. This chapter introduces two significant periods of rest: the Sabbatical Year (every seventh year) and the Jubilee Year. Verse 11 specifically describes the Jubilee, which occurred every fiftieth year, following seven cycles of seven Sabbatical years. This divine ordinance was designed to prevent the permanent accumulation of wealth by some and perpetual poverty for others, ensuring a periodic reset for the nation's social and economic structure.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Provision and Trust: The command not to sow or reap in the Jubilee year, nor to gather from undressed vines, required a radical act of faith. It was a test of Israel's trust in God's promise to provide miraculously for them, even without their usual agricultural labor. This principle is explicitly stated in Leviticus 25:21, where God promises a blessing in the sixth year sufficient for three years.
  • Rest and Renewal for the Land: Just as God ordained rest for humanity, He also commanded rest for the land. The Jubilee year, like the Sabbatical year, allowed the soil to recover its fertility, emphasizing that the land ultimately belongs to God, not to human owners (Leviticus 25:23).
  • Social Justice and Equality: The Jubilee was a powerful mechanism for social justice. Beyond the agricultural prohibitions, it mandated the return of all ancestral lands to their original families and the release of all indentured servants (Leviticus 25:10, Leviticus 25:13). This prevented the permanent disenfranchisement of families and ensured that every generation had a chance to start anew.

Linguistic Insights

The term "Jubilee" originates from the Hebrew word yobel (Χ™Χ•ΦΉΧ‘Φ΅Χœ), which refers to the ram's horn trumpet. In Leviticus 25:9, we learn that the Jubilee year was to be proclaimed throughout the land with the sound of this trumpet on the Day of Atonement. This emphasizes the declarative, liberating, and celebratory nature of this unique fiftieth year.

Practical Application

While the literal observance of the Jubilee year is not practiced today, the principles it embodies remain profoundly relevant for believers:

  • Cultivate Trust in God: The Jubilee challenges us to trust in God's provision even when circumstances seem to demand constant striving. It encourages us to find rest in Him and acknowledge that He is our ultimate provider, echoing Jesus' teaching on not worrying about tomorrow (Matthew 6:25-34).
  • Embrace Rest: In a world that often glorifies busyness, the Jubilee reminds us of the divine rhythm of rest. This applies not only to physical rest but also to spiritual rest, ceasing from our own efforts and trusting in God's finished work.
  • Pursue Justice and Generosity: The spirit of the Jubilee calls believers to actively pursue social justice, care for the poor, and work towards equitable opportunities in society. It encourages generosity and a willingness to release debts or burdens that hinder others' flourishing.
  • Anticipate Ultimate Restoration: The Jubilee can be seen as a foreshadowing of the ultimate liberation and restoration brought by Jesus Christ. He proclaimed "liberty to the captives" (Luke 4:4-18), fulfilling the spiritual essence of the Jubilee by offering freedom from sin and eternal life to all who believe.
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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.