Leviticus 25:5

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

That which groweth of its own accord {H5599} of thy harvest {H7105} thou shalt not reap {H7114}, neither gather {H1219} the grapes {H6025} of thy vine undressed {H5139}: for it is a year {H8141} of rest {H7677} unto the land {H776}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You are not to harvest what grows by itself from the seeds left by your previous harvest, and you are not to gather the grapes of your untended vine; it is to be a year of complete rest for the land.

Berean Standard Bible

You are not to reap the aftergrowth of your harvest or gather the grapes of your untended vines. The land must have a year of complete rest.

American Standard Version

That which groweth of itself of thy harvest thou shalt not reap, and the grapes of thy undressed vine thou shalt not gather: it shall be a year of solemn rest for the land.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 25:5 lays out specific agricultural prohibitions for the Sabbatical Year, a divinely mandated period of rest for the land. It commands the Israelites not to reap crops that have grown spontaneously from previous sowings (volunteer crops) nor to gather grapes from their untended vines. This directive underscores the profound theological principle that the seventh year is a complete Sabbath of rest for the land itself, during which human cultivation is to cease, affirming God's ultimate sovereignty over creation and the Israelites' absolute dependence on His faithful provision.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 25:5 is an integral component of the broader legislative framework presented in [Leviticus 25](/leviticus/25 "Leviticus 25 - The Sabbatical and Jubilee Years"), which meticulously details the laws concerning the Sabbatical Year (Shemitah) and the climactic Year of Jubilee. This particular verse elaborates on the foundational command given in [Leviticus 25:2](/leviticus/25-2 "Leviticus 25:2 - The Land's Sabbath to the Lord") that the land must "keep a Sabbath to the Lord." The prohibitions in verse 5 are immediately followed by clarifications in [Leviticus 25:6-7](/leviticus/25-6-7 "Leviticus 25:6-7 - Provision for All During the Sabbatical Year"), which stipulate that whatever the land produces naturally during this year is not for private accumulation but is to be shared freely among all—the landowner, servants, sojourners, and even wild animals. This careful sequence of commands reinforces the overarching principles of divine ownership, communal provision, and social equity, establishing the theological and practical groundwork for the even more expansive Jubilee regulations that follow within the chapter.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Sabbatical Year, observed every seventh year, represented a truly unique and radical institution in the ancient Near East, setting Israel apart from its neighboring agricultural societies. While some cultures practiced rudimentary forms of crop rotation to preserve soil fertility, the concept of a mandatory, divinely commanded fallow year for an entire nation's agricultural land, coupled with specific prohibitions on harvesting volunteer crops and untended vines, was unprecedented. This law served multiple, interconnected purposes: it promoted ecological sustainability by preventing soil exhaustion and allowing the land to regenerate; it provided a practical demonstration of God's miraculous provision, challenging and cultivating the Israelites' faith in His ability to sustain them despite their cessation of labor; and it had profound social implications, transforming the natural yield of the land into common property, thereby fostering a deep sense of community and providing essential sustenance for the poor, the marginalized, and even the livestock, as further articulated in passages like [Exodus 23:10-11](/exodus/23-10-11 "Exodus 23:10-11 - Sabbath for the Land and the Poor").
* **Key Themes:** Leviticus 25:5 significantly contributes to several profound theological and narrative themes woven throughout the book of Leviticus and the Pentateuch. Central among these is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Ownership**, emphasizing that the land, like all creation, belongs ultimately to God, not to human beings ([Leviticus 25:23](/leviticus/25-23 "Leviticus 25:23 - The Land Belongs to God")). This verse also highlights the theme of **Trust and Dependence on God**, requiring the Israelites to relinquish their reliance on their own labor and agricultural prowess, and instead, to depend entirely on God's supernatural provision for their sustenance during the Sabbatical Year. Furthermore, the concept of "rest" (Hebrew: `shabbâthôwn`) for the land extends the **Sabbath Principle** beyond humanity to the very earth, underscoring a holistic view of creation's need for renewal and sanctification. Finally, the communal sharing of the land's spontaneous produce implicitly reinforces themes of **Social Justice and Generosity**, ensuring that the needs of all, especially the vulnerable, are met, aligning with the broader ethical concerns found in the Mosaic Law.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Groweth of its own accord (Hebrew, _çâphîyach'_):** This term (H5599) refers to a self-sown crop, something that falls off and grows spontaneously without human intervention or cultivation. In the context of the Sabbatical Year, it specifically denotes the natural yield of the land from seeds dropped in the previous season or from uncultivated ground. The prohibition against reaping this `çâphîyach` underscores that even the land's natural bounty during its rest was not for personal gain or commercial harvest, but was set apart, reflecting the sacred nature of the year.
* **Undressed (Hebrew, _nâzîyr'_):** The word `nâzîyr` (H5139), when applied to a vine, signifies one that is "separate" or "consecrated" by being left untended, unpruned, and unharvested. It draws a figurative connection to a Nazirite, who is separated by a vow and refrains from cutting their hair ([Numbers 6:5](/numbers/6-5 "Numbers 6:5 - Nazirite Vow and Hair")). For the vine, this means it is left in its natural, wild state during the Sabbatical Year. The prohibition against gathering grapes from such a `nâzîyr` vine reinforces that the land's rest applied comprehensively to all agricultural products, preventing any attempt to circumvent the law by harvesting from neglected growth.
* **Rest (Hebrew, _shabbâthôwn'_):** This term (H7677) is derived from `shabbath` and denotes a "sabbatism" or "special holiday," signifying a complete or solemn rest. Its application to the land emphasizes that the Sabbatical Year was not merely a practical agricultural practice but a sacred, divinely instituted cessation of labor. It elevates the land's fallow period to a theological observance, mirroring the divine rest after creation ([Genesis 2:2](/genesis/2-2 "Genesis 2:2 - God Rests on the Seventh Day")) and signifying a profound recognition of God's sovereignty over the earth and its inherent need for renewal.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"That which groweth of its own accord of thy harvest thou shalt not reap":** This clause directly addresses the spontaneous growth of crops. It prohibits the Israelite farmer from treating the volunteer grains or other plants that sprout naturally from the previous year's dropped seeds or from uncultivated ground as a personal harvest. This command was crucial to prevent individuals from circumventing the spirit of the Sabbatical Year by simply collecting what the land produced without sowing, thereby maintaining the integrity of the land's mandated rest.
* **"neither gather the grapes of thy vine undressed":** This extends the prohibition to vineyards, which were a significant part of Israel's agricultural economy. It specifically forbids the gathering of grapes from vines that had been left "undressed"—meaning unpruned and untended, as was required during the Sabbatical Year. This ensured that the principle of the land's rest applied comprehensively to all major agricultural outputs, reinforcing the idea that the land itself, including its vineyards, was observing a complete Sabbath.
* **"for it is a year of rest unto the land":** This concluding phrase provides the foundational theological rationale for the preceding prohibitions. The cessation of harvesting and cultivation was not an arbitrary economic hardship but was rooted in the fundamental principle of the land's Sabbath. This "year of rest" (Hebrew: `shabbath shabbâthôwn`) underscored God's ultimate ownership and the land's inherent need for renewal, mirroring the sacred rhythm of rest established at creation and for humanity, and demanding a profound act of faith and obedience from the Israelites.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 25:5 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. **Repetition** of the concept of "rest" (implied by the "Sabbatical Year" context and explicitly stated as "year of rest unto the land") serves to underscore the central theme of cessation and divine sovereignty, embedding the idea deeply within the listener's mind. The use of **Metonymy** is evident, where "harvest" and "vine" stand not merely for the physical produce but for the entire agricultural system and the human effort involved in cultivation. Most significantly, the entire Sabbatical Year law, as encapsulated in this verse, functions as powerful **Symbolism**. The resting of the land symbolizes God's ultimate ownership and provision, directly challenging human self-sufficiency and fostering a radical dependence on the Creator. It also symbolizes the sacredness of rest, extending the Sabbath principle beyond human beings to the very ground that sustains life, thereby highlighting a holistic and interconnected view of creation's inherent need for renewal and sanctification.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 25:5 profoundly articulates the theological principles of divine sovereignty, radical trust, and holistic stewardship. It asserts God's ultimate ownership over the land and its produce, challenging the Israelites to relinquish their perceived control and depend entirely on His supernatural provision. This command fostered a deep sense of faith, requiring them to believe that God would sustain them even without their usual agricultural efforts. Furthermore, it underscored a holistic understanding of rest, extending the Sabbath principle to the very earth, demonstrating God's care for creation's well-being and promoting sustainable practices long before modern ecological awareness. The communal sharing of the land's spontaneous yield also highlighted themes of generosity, social justice, and equitable distribution, ensuring provision for all members of the community, especially the vulnerable.

* [Exodus 23:10-11](/exodus/23-10-11 "Sabbath for the Land and the Poor")
* [Deuteronomy 15:1-2](/deuteronomy/15-1-2 "Release of Debts in the Sabbatical Year")
* [Nehemiah 10:31](/nehemiah/10-31 "Covenant to Observe the Sabbatical Year")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Leviticus 25:5, though rooted in ancient agricultural law, carries timeless spiritual principles for contemporary believers living in a world often defined by relentless productivity, consumption, and the relentless pursuit of more. This verse serves as a radical call to embrace rest, not as idleness or a mere break, but as an active, profound act of trust in God's unfailing provision. It challenges us to release our grip on control, acknowledging that our ultimate sustenance and security come not from our ceaseless striving, but from the benevolent and abundant hand of our Creator. This principle extends beyond our finances and careers to every facet of life, inviting us to cultivate intentional rhythms of cessation that allow for deep spiritual, mental, and physical renewal. Moreover, the command to let the land rest and share its spontaneous bounty reminds us of our stewardship responsibilities towards creation and our call to radical generosity, ensuring that our abundance contributes to the well-being of others and the flourishing of the earth, rather than solely accumulating for ourselves. It prompts us to critically examine how our daily choices reflect a trust in God's sufficiency over our own efforts and how we can embody a spirit of communal care and justice within our spheres of influence.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you find it most challenging to "let the land rest" and trust in God's provision rather than your own ceaseless efforts and anxieties?**
* **How might intentionally embracing a "Sabbath principle" – whether weekly, annually, or in specific seasons of life – lead to greater spiritual, mental, or physical flourishing and a deeper reliance on God's grace?**
* **What does it mean for you to be a good steward of the resources God has entrusted to you, including your time, talents, and the environment, in light of this passage's emphasis on rest, communal sharing, and divine ownership?**

### FAQ
**What was the primary purpose of the Sabbatical Year for the Israelites?**

Answer: The primary purpose of the Sabbatical Year was multifaceted and deeply theological. Theologically, it was a profound declaration of God's absolute sovereignty over the land and His people, requiring them to trust in His miraculous provision despite ceasing agricultural labor. Practically, it allowed the land to regenerate, promoting ecological sustainability and preventing soil exhaustion, thus ensuring long-term productivity. Socially, it fostered communal sharing, as the spontaneous produce of the land was available to all—landowners, servants, sojourners, and the poor—thus serving as a form of social welfare and demonstrating God's concern for justice and equality within the community, as seen in [Exodus 23:10-11](/exodus/23-10-11 "Exodus 23:10-11 - Sabbath for the Land and the Poor").

**Did the Israelites always observe the Sabbatical Year? What were the consequences of non-observance?**

Answer: Unfortunately, historical accounts and prophetic texts indicate that the Israelites often failed to observe the Sabbatical Year, particularly during periods of apostasy or economic pressure. Their consistent disobedience to this and other covenant commands was a significant factor in their eventual exile from the land. For instance, [2 Chronicles 36:21](/2_chronicles/36-21 "2 Chronicles 36:21 - The Land Enjoys its Sabbaths") explicitly states that the seventy years of Babylonian captivity were a direct fulfillment of Jeremiah's prophecy, allowing the land to finally "enjoy its Sabbaths" and make up for the years it had not rested. This highlights the seriousness with which God regarded the command, viewing its neglect as a profound violation of His covenant and a failure to acknowledge His ownership and provision.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 25:5, with its emphasis on the land's rest, divine provision, and the cessation of human striving, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in several profound ways. The Sabbatical Year's radical demand for trust in God's supernatural sustenance foreshadows Christ, who is our ultimate provider and the true source of all life and blessing. Just as the land rested and yielded its spontaneous fruit for all, Jesus invites us to cease from our anxious striving and find our true rest in Him, declaring, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" ([Matthew 11:28](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28 - Jesus Offers Rest")). He is the one who provides for our every need, both physical and spiritual, demonstrating that true security and abundance are found not in our endless labor or accumulation, but in His boundless grace and finished work. Moreover, the Sabbatical Year's principles of release from debt, the sharing of resources, and the restoration of equilibrium point powerfully to the liberating and restorative work of Christ. Jesus inaugurated "the year of the Lord's favor" ([Luke 4:18-19](/luke/4-18-19 "Luke 4:18-19 - Jesus Proclaims His Mission")), bringing spiritual freedom, healing, and justice to the oppressed and poor. In Christ, the Sabbath principle is not merely a legalistic observance but a living reality, as He Himself is our ultimate Sabbath rest, the one in whom we find cessation from the futile works of the law, the anxieties of self-reliance, and the burden of sin, entering into His completed work of redemption and eternal peace ([Hebrews 4:9-10](/hebrews/4-9-10 "Hebrews 4:9-10 - The Sabbath Rest for the People of God")).

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

Isaiah 37:30

And this [shall be] a sign unto thee, Ye shall eat [this] year such as groweth of itself; and the second year that which springeth of the same: and in the third year sow ye, and reap, and plant vineyards, and eat the fruit thereof.

2 Kings 19:29

And this [shall be] a sign unto thee, Ye shall eat this year such things as grow of themselves, and in the second year that which springeth of the same; and in the third year sow ye, and reap, and plant vineyards, and eat the fruits thereof.