Leviticus 25:21

KJV

Then I will command my blessing upon you in the sixth year, and it shall bring forth fruit for three years.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then I will command {H6680} my blessing {H1293} upon you in the sixth {H8345} year {H8141}, and it shall bring forth {H6213} fruit {H8393} for three {H7969} years {H8141}.

Complete Jewish Bible

then I will order my blessing on you during the sixth year, so that the land brings forth enough produce for all three years.

Berean Standard Bible

But I will send My blessing upon you in the sixth year, so that the land will yield a crop sufficient for three years.

American Standard Version

then I will command my blessing upon you in the sixth year, and it shall bring forth fruit for the three years.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 25:21 encapsulates God's miraculous promise of supernatural provision to the Israelites, assuring them that if they faithfully observed the Sabbatical year by allowing their land to rest every seventh year, He would command an extraordinary blessing in the sixth year. This divine intervention would yield an abundance so great that it would sustain them not only through the seventh year of fallow land but also until the harvest of the eighth year, demonstrating God's unfailing faithfulness and sovereignty over creation and sustenance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 25 details the laws concerning the Sabbatical year (Shmita) and the Year of Jubilee (Yovel), which are integral to Israel's covenant relationship with God. Following the instructions for the land to lie fallow in the seventh year, where no sowing or reaping was permitted ([Leviticus 25:4](/leviticus/25-4 "Leviticus 25:4 - The Sabbatical Year Law")), a natural concern arises regarding sustenance. Verses [Leviticus 25:18-20](/leviticus/25-18 "Leviticus 25:18-20 - Promises for Obedience") precede our verse, laying the groundwork by promising safety and provision if the statutes are kept, but also voicing the people's potential question: "What shall we eat in the seventh year?" ([Leviticus 25:20](/leviticus/25-20 "Leviticus 25:20 - The People's Question")). Verse 21 directly answers this apprehension, offering God's divine solution and supernatural guarantee. The subsequent verses ([Leviticus 25:22-24](/leviticus/25-22 "Leviticus 25:22-24 - The Land's Yield and Redemption")) further elaborate on the practical outcome of this blessing, confirming the land's yield and the principles of land ownership and redemption, reinforcing the idea that the land ultimately belongs to God.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Israel was an agrarian society, heavily dependent on agricultural cycles for survival. The command to let the land lie fallow every seventh year was radical and counter-cultural, presenting a significant economic and existential challenge. In a world where food security was paramount and harvests determined survival, willingly foregoing a year's yield required immense faith and trust in a supernatural provider. This law was not merely an agricultural regulation but a profound theological statement. It taught Israel that God, not their labor alone, was their ultimate source of provision. It challenged their self-reliance and fostered dependence on Yahweh, reminding them that the land itself was His ([Leviticus 25:23](/leviticus/25-23 "Leviticus 25:23 - The Land Belongs to God")). The promise in [Leviticus 25:21](/leviticus/25-21 "Leviticus 25:21 - God's Promise of Provision") was therefore a direct counter-intuitive assurance, designed to build trust and demonstrate God's power to transcend natural limitations for the sake of His obedient people. It was a test of faith, demanding that they prioritize divine command over economic logic.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Command (Hebrew, _tsavah'_):** The Hebrew verb צָוָה (_tsavah_), translated as "command," signifies an authoritative and deliberate act. It's not a passive hope or a natural occurrence, but a direct, intentional decree from God. This emphasizes God's active involvement and sovereign power in orchestrating the blessing. He doesn't merely allow the blessing to happen; He *commands* it, ensuring its fulfillment.
* **Blessing (Hebrew, _berakah'_):** The Hebrew word בְּרָכָה (_berakah_), "blessing," carries a rich theological meaning beyond mere good fortune. It denotes a divine bestowal of favor, prosperity, abundance, and well-being. In this context, it refers to a supernatural increase in the land's yield, far beyond its natural capacity, directly resulting from God's benevolent intervention. It is a tangible manifestation of God's covenant faithfulness.
* **Three years:** This specific duration highlights the miraculous nature of the provision. A single harvest in the sixth year would miraculously yield enough food to last through the sixth year itself, the entire seventh year (when no crops were planted), and until the harvest of the eighth year (when new crops would be sown and reaped). This period covers three full agricultural cycles, underscoring the extraordinary, super-abundant nature of God's blessing.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then I will command my blessing upon you in the sixth year":** This clause establishes the divine initiative and the timing of the supernatural provision. "Then" links it directly to the Israelites' obedience in observing the Sabbatical year. God Himself, using His sovereign authority ("I will command"), promises to bestow His favor ("my blessing") directly upon them, specifically targeting the sixth year's harvest. This indicates a pre-emptive, intentional act of God to ensure their well-being.
* **"and it shall bring forth fruit for three years":** This clause describes the extraordinary result of God's commanded blessing. The "fruit" refers to the agricultural produce of the land. The phrase "for three years" details the duration for which this single harvest will miraculously suffice. It covers the consumption needs for the remainder of the sixth year, the entirety of the seventh year (the Sabbatical year), and the period leading up to the harvest of the eighth year, providing a comprehensive solution to the challenge of the fallow year.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 25:21 employs several powerful literary devices. The most prominent is **Divine Promise**, where God directly pledges a specific outcome based on human obedience. This promise is absolute and guaranteed by God's own word, emphasizing His trustworthiness and omnipotence. There is also an element of **Hyperbole**, not in the sense of exaggeration, but in describing a yield so extraordinarily abundant that it transcends normal agricultural production, serving to underscore the miraculous nature of God's provision. The promise also functions as a **Conditional Covenant**, where God's action ("I will command my blessing") is contingent upon Israel's adherence to His law ("if you obey my statutes..."). This structure reinforces the reciprocal nature of the covenant relationship, where blessings flow from faithful obedience. The entire passage is permeated with **Symbolism**, as the land's rest symbolizes Israel's trust in God, and the miraculous provision symbolizes God's ultimate sovereignty over life and sustenance, reminding them that their existence is not solely dependent on their own labor but on His divine grace.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 25:21 profoundly illustrates the themes of divine sovereignty, faithful provision, and the blessedness of obedience. It teaches that God is not bound by natural limitations and can supernaturally intervene to sustain His people when they trust and obey His commands, even when those commands seem economically counter-intuitive. This promise underscores God's desire for His people to live by faith, acknowledging Him as the ultimate source of all good things, rather than relying solely on their own efforts or the land's natural productivity. It's a powerful reminder that true security comes from God's faithfulness, not from human foresight or labor alone.

* [Deuteronomy 28:12](/deuteronomy/28-12 "Deuteronomy 28:12 - God's Blessing on Labor")
* [Psalm 37:25](/psalms/37-25 "Psalm 37:25 - The Righteous Not Forsaken")
* [Philippians 4:19](/philippians/4-19 "Philippians 4:19 - God Will Supply All Needs")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Leviticus 25:21 offers a timeless lesson for believers today: God is utterly faithful to provide for those who trust and obey Him, even when the path of obedience seems to defy logic or entail sacrifice. In a world that often pressures us to work ceaselessly, accumulate relentlessly, and secure our own future, this verse calls us to embrace a counter-cultural rhythm of rest and reliance on God. It challenges us to consider areas in our lives where we might be holding on too tightly, fearing scarcity, or neglecting spiritual rest in pursuit of worldly security. Just as Israel was called to release their grip on the land, we are called to release our grip on our resources, time, and ambitions, trusting that God's blessing can multiply our efforts and sustain us beyond our natural capacity. This radical trust frees us from anxiety and invites us into a deeper experience of God's miraculous provision, reminding us that His economy operates on principles far superior to our own.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "seventh year" rests or acts of faith is God calling me to embrace in my life, even if they seem counter-intuitive or risky?**
* **In what areas of my life do I struggle to trust God for provision, and how might this verse encourage me to release control and rely more fully on Him?**
* **How does the concept of God "commanding" His blessing impact my understanding of His power and active involvement in my daily life?**

### FAQ

**What was the Sabbatical year (Shmita) and why was it important?**

Answer: The Sabbatical year, or Shmita, was a divine command for the Israelites to let their land lie fallow every seventh year. During this year, they were forbidden from sowing seeds or pruning vineyards, and what grew naturally was to be left for the poor, the sojourner, and the wild animals ([Leviticus 25:4-7](/leviticus/25-4 "Leviticus 25:4-7 - Laws of the Sabbatical Year")). Its importance was multi-faceted: it taught Israel dependence on God as the true owner and provider of the land ([Leviticus 25:23](/leviticus/25-23 "Leviticus 25:23 - The Land Belongs to God")), fostered social justice by providing for the needy, allowed the land to recover its fertility, and served as a tangible reminder of God's covenant with His people, mirroring the weekly Sabbath rest for individuals.

**How could the land produce enough fruit for three years from a single harvest?**

Answer: The ability of the land to produce enough fruit for three years from a single harvest in the sixth year was a supernatural miracle, not a natural agricultural phenomenon. God explicitly states, "I will command my blessing upon you," indicating a divine intervention that would cause the sixth year's yield to be extraordinarily abundant—three times the normal amount. This miraculous provision would cover the remainder of the sixth year, the entire seventh year (when no crops were planted), and the period until the harvest of the eighth year, demonstrating God's power to transcend natural limitations for His obedient people.

**Is the promise of Leviticus 25:21 relevant for believers today?**

Answer: While we no longer observe the agricultural Sabbatical year in the same literal way, the underlying principles of [Leviticus 25:21](/leviticus/25-21 "Leviticus 25:21 - God's Promise of Provision") remain profoundly relevant. It teaches us about God's faithfulness, His ability to provide supernaturally, and the blessings that flow from obedience and trust. It encourages us to prioritize God's commands over worldly anxieties, to embrace seasons of rest and reliance on Him ([Matthew 6:33](/matthew/6-33 "Matthew 6:33 - Seek First the Kingdom")), and to understand that true security comes from His hand, not solely from our own efforts. It calls us to live by faith, knowing that God delights in providing abundantly for those who honor Him.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 25:21, with its promise of supernatural provision and rest, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Sabbatical year pointed to a deeper, spiritual rest that only Christ can provide. While the law commanded a physical rest for the land and people, Jesus invites us to a spiritual rest from our labors and anxieties, declaring, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" ([Matthew 11:28](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28 - Jesus' Invitation to Rest")). He is our ultimate Sabbath, the one who fulfills the law's demands and provides true rest for our souls ([Hebrews 4:9-10](/hebrews/4-9 "Hebrews 4:9-10 - The Sabbath Rest for God's People")). Furthermore, just as God promised a miraculous abundance to sustain Israel, Jesus is the "bread of life" who provides eternal sustenance, satisfying our deepest spiritual hunger ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")). His sacrifice on the cross was the ultimate act of divine provision, securing not just physical sustenance but eternal life and spiritual blessings beyond measure ([Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3 - Spiritual Blessings in Christ")). In Christ, we find the fulfillment of God's promise to "command His blessing," receiving every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places because of our union with Him ([Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3 - Spiritual Blessings in Christ")). He is the true and lasting provision, enabling us to live a life of faith, trusting in His inexhaustible grace and unfailing supply.

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

Deuteronomy 28:8

The LORD shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

Proverbs 10:22

¶ The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.

2 Corinthians 9:10

Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for [your] food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)

Psalms 133:3

As the dew of Hermon, [and as the dew] that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, [even] life for evermore.

Deuteronomy 28:3

Blessed [shalt] thou [be] in the city, and blessed [shalt] thou [be] in the field.

Genesis 41:47

And in the seven plenteous years the earth brought forth by handfuls.

Genesis 26:12

¶ Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him.