Leviticus 25:3

KJV

Six years thou shalt sow thy field, and six years thou shalt prune thy vineyard, and gather in the fruit thereof;

KJV (with Strong's)

Six {H8337} years {H8141} thou shalt sow {H2232} thy field {H7704}, and six {H8337} years {H8141} thou shalt prune {H2168} thy vineyard {H3754}, and gather {H622} in the fruit {H8393} thereof;

Complete Jewish Bible

Six years you will sow your field; six years you will prune your grapevines and gather their produce.

Berean Standard Bible

For six years you may sow your field and prune your vineyard and gather its crops.

American Standard Version

Six years thou shalt sow thy field, and six years thou shalt prune thy vineyard, and gather in the fruits thereof;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 25:3 introduces the foundational principle of the Sabbatical Year, known as the *Shemitah*, by outlining the standard six-year cycle of agricultural labor. This verse mandates that the Israelites diligently cultivate their fields and prune their vineyards for six consecutive years, emphasizing the expected outcome of gathering a bountiful harvest. It establishes the rhythm of work that precedes the mandated year of rest for the land, underscoring God's design for ordered productivity and preparing the people to understand their dependence on divine provision rather than solely on their own efforts.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 25 initiates a profound discourse on the Sabbatical Year (Shemitah) and the Jubilee Year, laws given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai. This chapter follows detailed instructions regarding holiness, sacrifices, and festivals, shifting focus to the Israelites' relationship with the land upon their entry into Canaan. Verse 3 serves as the foundational premise for the Sabbatical Year, explicitly stating the six years of permitted agricultural activity. It directly precedes and sets the stage for the command in [Leviticus 25:4](/leviticus/25-4 "Leviticus 25:4 - The Sabbatical Year of Rest"), which prohibits sowing and pruning in the seventh year, thereby establishing the crucial work-rest rhythm. This initial instruction on diligent labor is essential for the subsequent understanding of the radical trust required to observe the land's Sabbath. The broader context of the Mosaic Law emphasizes obedience as a prerequisite for blessing, and this agricultural law is no exception, laying the groundwork for the promises and warnings that follow regarding the observance of these sacred times.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The laws in Leviticus 25 were delivered to the Israelites as they stood on the threshold of the Promised Land, a land of agriculture and sustenance. Unlike many surrounding ancient Near Eastern cultures that practiced continuous cultivation, the concept of a mandated rest for the land was unique to Israel, reflecting their distinctive covenant relationship with Yahweh. This agricultural cycle was not merely an economic regulation but a theological statement, reminding the Israelites that the land ultimately belonged to God, as explicitly stated in [Leviticus 25:23](/leviticus/25-23 "Leviticus 25:23 - God's Ownership of the Land"). Their diligent work for six years was a demonstration of stewardship, but the subsequent rest year was a profound act of faith, requiring them to trust in God's supernatural provision to sustain them through the period of non-cultivation, as promised in [Leviticus 25:20-22](/leviticus/25-20-22 "Leviticus 25:20-22 - God's Provision During the Sabbatical Year"). This context underscores the balance between human effort and divine sovereignty, a stark contrast to the self-reliance often seen in pagan agricultural practices.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within Leviticus and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Ownership**, asserting God's ultimate claim over the land and its produce, even as He grants humanity stewardship. Secondly, it reinforces the theme of **Covenant Obedience and Blessing**, where diligent labor for six years is part of the covenantal expectation that, when followed by the mandated rest, leads to divine provision. This is intricately linked to the theme of **Trust in God's Provision**, as the command to rest the land necessitates a radical dependence on God to provide for their needs without human cultivation. Finally, it establishes a **Rhythm of Work and Rest**, mirroring the creation account in [Genesis 2:2-3](/genesis/2-2-3 "Genesis 2:2-3 - God Rests on the Seventh Day") and the Sabbath commandment in [Exodus 20:8-11](/exodus/20-8-11 "Exodus 20:8-11 - The Sabbath Commandment"), applying this divine pattern to the agricultural life of the nation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sow (Hebrew, _zâraʻ'_):** This primitive root (H2232) signifies the act of planting seeds in the ground. Figuratively, it means to disseminate, plant, or fructify, leading to bearing and yielding. In the context of ancient agrarian societies, sowing was a fundamental and laborious activity, directly preceding the growth cycle of crops. Its inclusion here emphasizes the active, intentional beginning of the agricultural process, requiring human effort and foresight in preparing the land for future sustenance.
* **Prune (Hebrew, _zâmar'_):** This primitive root (H2168) specifically denotes the trimming of a vine. It refers to the meticulous cutting back or shaping of grapevines to promote healthier growth, improve fruit quality, and increase yield. This word highlights the ongoing, skilled, and careful management required in vineyard cultivation, indicating that the Israelites were to engage in sustained, specialized agricultural practices beyond mere initial planting, ensuring the long-term productivity of their vineyards.
* **Gather in (Hebrew, _ʼâçaph'_):** This primitive root (H622) means to collect for any purpose, hence to receive, take away, or remove. In this context, it signifies the act of harvesting or collecting the produce. It points to the expected and desired outcome of the diligent labor of sowing and pruning—a bountiful harvest. The phrase "gather in the fruit thereof" underscores the productivity and provision that God intended to result from their obedient stewardship of the land, affirming that their labor would not be in vain.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Six years thou shalt sow thy field":** This initial clause establishes the primary agricultural activity for a specified duration. It mandates the consistent and diligent planting of crops in the fields, indicating a sustained period of productive labor. The emphasis is on active engagement with the land, highlighting the human responsibility in the agricultural cycle before the land's mandated rest.
* **"and six years thou shalt prune thy vineyard":** This parallel clause extends the command for diligent labor to viticulture, specifically the care of vineyards. Pruning is a vital and skilled aspect of vineyard management, ensuring future yields and the health of the vines. The repetition of "six years" reinforces the duration and consistency of the work cycle for both general crops and specialized produce, emphasizing a holistic approach to agricultural stewardship.
* **"and gather in the fruit thereof;":** This final clause specifies the intended outcome and reward of the preceding labor. It refers to the harvesting of the produce from both the field and the vineyard. This phrase highlights the expectation of a fruitful return on their investment of time and effort, demonstrating God's design for human labor to be productive and provide sustenance, reinforcing the concept that diligent work leads to tangible results.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Repetition** ("Six years... six years") to emphasize the duration and consistency of the commanded labor, firmly establishing the rhythm of the work cycle before the rest period. This repetition creates a sense of ordered progression and highlights the deliberate nature of God's agricultural instructions. There is also a clear **Parallelism** between "sow thy field" and "prune thy vineyard," linking two primary forms of agriculture in ancient Israel and indicating that the same diligent work ethic applies to both. This parallelism underscores the comprehensive nature of the agricultural mandate. The phrase "gather in the fruit thereof" serves as a **Merism**, encompassing the entire process from planting to harvest, implying the full cycle of agricultural endeavor and its intended fruitful outcome. This concise phrasing encapsulates the essence of productive stewardship, from initial effort to final yield.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 25:3, though seemingly a simple agricultural instruction, is deeply embedded in the theological framework of God's sovereignty, covenant, and provision. It underscores that human labor, while essential, operates within a divine design and under divine authority. The six years of diligent work reflect God's expectation for humanity to be productive stewards of His creation, mirroring the pattern of God's own creative work in six days. However, this productivity is always contingent on God's ultimate ownership of the land and His promise of provision, setting the stage for the radical trust required during the Sabbatical Year. The verse thus teaches a foundational truth: our efforts are commanded, but our sustenance is divinely guaranteed, fostering a mindset of faithful stewardship coupled with absolute dependence.

* [Exodus 20:9](/exodus/20-9 "Exodus 20:9 - The Command to Work Six Days")
* [Deuteronomy 8:18](/deuteronomy/8-18 "Deuteronomy 8:18 - God Gives Power to Get Wealth")
* [Psalm 127:1](/psalms/127-1 "Psalm 127:1 - Unless the Lord Builds the House")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Leviticus 25:3 offers enduring wisdom for contemporary believers, transcending its ancient agricultural context. It calls us to embrace a rhythm of diligent work and intentional rest, recognizing that both are divinely ordained. In a world that often glorifies ceaseless striving, this verse reminds us that productivity is not merely about endless toil, but about purposeful effort within a framework of divine design. It challenges us to consider how faithfully we are stewarding the resources, talents, and opportunities God has entrusted to us, whether in our vocations, ministries, or personal lives. Furthermore, understanding this verse in light of the Sabbatical Year compels us to cultivate a profound trust in God's provision, even when it means stepping back from our own efforts and relying on His supernatural sustenance. It's a call to work hard with excellence, to cultivate our "fields" and "vineyards" with care, but ultimately to rest harder in the assurance that God is our ultimate provider, the one who brings forth the "fruit" of our labors.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the principle of "six years of work" inform your approach to diligence and stewardship in your current responsibilities?**
* **In what areas of your life might you be resisting God's ordained rhythm of work and rest, and what steps can you take to re-align with His design?**
* **How does the expectation of "gathering in the fruit" encourage you to pursue excellence and productivity, while still acknowledging God as the ultimate source of all provision?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "six years" in this verse?**

Answer: The "six years" specified in Leviticus 25:3 are significant because they establish the period of active agricultural labor that precedes the mandated seventh year of rest for the land, known as the Sabbatical Year or *Shemitah*. This six-year cycle mirrors the creation week, where God worked for six days and rested on the seventh, a pattern established in [Exodus 20:9-11](/exodus/20-9-11 "Exodus 20:9-11 - The Sabbath Commandment"). It underscores a divine principle of work followed by rest, applied here to the agricultural calendar. It also serves as a test of faith, requiring the Israelites to trust in God's provision during the year they were not permitted to sow or prune, knowing that He would bless their efforts in the preceding years to sustain them, as promised in [Leviticus 25:20-22](/leviticus/25-20-22 "Leviticus 25:20-22 - God's Promise of Provision"). This cycle was meant to instill a deep reliance on God's faithfulness, rather than solely on human effort.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 25:3, with its emphasis on a six-year cycle of diligent labor culminating in a harvest, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in several ways. While the Mosaic Law provided a shadow, Christ is the substance. Jesus himself is the ultimate "fruit" of God's redemptive plan, the one in whom all things hold together and through whom all provision flows, as affirmed in [Colossians 1:17](/colossians/1-17 "Colossians 1:17 - Christ as Sustainer"). He is the true vine, and believers are the branches, called to abide in Him to bear much fruit, not through their own strenuous efforts alone, but through His life flowing through them, as beautifully articulated in [John 15:1-5](/john/15-1-5 "John 15:1-5 - Jesus the True Vine"). Furthermore, the agricultural rhythm of work and rest foreshadows the ultimate rest found in Christ, who invites all who are weary and burdened to find rest for their souls in Him, as He declares in [Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28-30 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary"). His finished work on the cross brought an end to the striving under the law, ushering in a new covenant of grace where believers are freed from the burden of earning their salvation and can truly enter into God's rest, a profound spiritual Sabbath described in [Hebrews 4:9-10](/hebrews/4-9-10 "Hebrews 4:9-10 - The Sabbath Rest for the People of God"). Thus, the diligent labor of the six years points to the faithful, perfect work of Christ, and the promised harvest points to the spiritual abundance and eternal life secured by His sacrifice, offering a rest far deeper and more complete than any agricultural 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

Exodus 23:10

¶ And six years thou shalt sow thy land, and shalt gather in the fruits thereof: