Leviticus 25:8

KJV

¶ And thou shalt number seven sabbaths of years unto thee, seven times seven years; and the space of the seven sabbaths of years shall be unto thee forty and nine years.

KJV (with Strong's)

And thou shalt number {H5608} seven {H7651} sabbaths {H7676} of years {H8141} unto thee, seven {H7651} times {H6471} seven {H7651} years {H8141}; and the space {H3117} of the seven {H7651} sabbaths {H7676} of years {H8141} shall be unto thee forty {H705} and nine {H8672} years {H8141}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"'You are to count seven Shabbats of years, seven times seven years, that is, forty-nine years.

Berean Standard Bible

And you shall count off seven Sabbaths of years—seven times seven years—so that the seven Sabbaths of years amount to forty-nine years.

American Standard Version

And thou shalt number seven sabbaths of years unto thee, seven times seven years; and there shall be unto thee the days of seven sabbaths of years, even forty and nine years.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 25:8 meticulously outlines the divine calculation for the climactic Year of Jubilee, establishing the precise duration of forty-nine years as the culmination of seven cycles of "sabbaths of years." This verse serves as the foundational temporal marker, setting the stage for the grand fiftieth year of release and restoration within God's meticulously ordered calendar for ancient Israel, underscoring His sovereignty over time and the rhythms of His people's lives.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 25:8 is strategically placed within the broader legislative framework of the Jubilee year, which commences in [Leviticus 25:1](/leviticus/25-1 "Leviticus 25:1 - Introduction to the Sabbath and Jubilee Years"). Prior to this verse, the text details the laws concerning the Sabbath year (shemitah), where the land was to lie fallow every seventh year, and its produce was for all (see [Leviticus 25:1-7](/leviticus/25-1 "Leviticus 25:1-7 - Laws of the Sabbath Year")). Verse 8 then introduces the even larger cycle, building upon the principle of the Sabbath year to define the timing of the Jubilee. It acts as a bridge, transitioning from the individual Sabbath year to the grand super-Sabbath, the Jubilee, which is subsequently proclaimed in [Leviticus 25:9-10](/leviticus/25-9 "Leviticus 25:9-10 - Proclamation of the Year of Jubilee"), with its far-reaching implications for land, liberty, and social equity.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, land was considered God's gift and ultimate possession, not to be permanently sold or alienated (as stated in [Leviticus 25:23](/leviticus/25-23 "Leviticus 25:23 - The Land Belongs to God")). This divine ownership formed the theological basis for the Jubilee. Without such a system, economic disparities and land accumulation would inevitably lead to perpetual poverty for some and excessive wealth for others, threatening the social fabric and the tribal land allotments established during the conquest of Canaan (e.g., [Joshua 14-19](/joshua/14 "Joshua 14-19 - Division of the Land")). The Jubilee, therefore, was a radical economic and social program designed to prevent the permanent disenfranchisement of families, ensuring that every fifty years, land returned to its original tribal and family ownership, and all Israelite indentured servants were set free (see [Leviticus 25:10](/leviticus/25-10 "Leviticus 25:10 - The Jubilee Proclamation")). This system fostered a deep dependence on God's provision, as the Israelites were commanded to trust Him to provide for them during the Sabbath and Jubilee years when no sowing or reaping took place (as promised in [Leviticus 25:20-22](/leviticus/25-20 "Leviticus 25:20-22 - God's Provision During the Sabbath and Jubilee Years")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Number (Heb. סָפַר, _saphar'_):** This verb means "to count, recount, tell, relate, number." In the context of a divine command, it signifies a precise, deliberate, and divinely ordained calculation. It is not merely a suggestion but an imperative to meticulously track time according to God's calendar, emphasizing the sacredness and intentionality behind the forty-nine-year cycle. This highlights God's sovereignty over time and His meticulous ordering of the life of His people.
* **Sabbaths of Years (Heb. שַׁבְּתֹת שָׁנִים, _shabbatot shanim'_):** This plural phrase literally means "Sabbaths of years," intensifying the concept of the individual Sabbath year (שַׁבַּת שָׁנָה, _shabbat shanah_). It conveys not just a single year of rest, but a cumulative cycle of seven such years, each embodying the principle of cessation from labor and reliance on divine provision. The repetition of "Sabbath" underscores the profound spiritual significance of this extended period, elevating it beyond a mere agricultural practice to a sacred observance of rest and trust in God.
* **Seven times seven years (Heb. שֶׁבַע שַׁבָּתֹת שָׁנִים, _sheva shabbatot shanim'_):** The emphatic repetition of the number "seven" (seven "Sabbaths of years," which equals "seven times seven years") highlights its symbolic significance in biblical numerology, representing completeness, perfection, and divine order. This doubling of "seven" (7x7=49) signifies a full, perfect cycle, a "Sabbath of Sabbaths," culminating in the ultimate year of release. It points to the divine design embedded within the temporal structure of Israel's national life, orchestrated by God for their holistic well-being.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And thou shalt number seven sabbaths of years unto thee":** This opening clause establishes a direct divine command ("thou shalt number") to the Israelites, through Moses, to meticulously count a specific period. The phrase "seven sabbaths of years" refers to seven cycles of the Sabbath year, each cycle being seven years long. This sets up the foundational unit of calculation for the Jubilee. The "unto thee" emphasizes that this counting is for their benefit and within their sphere of responsibility, reflecting God's covenantal relationship with His people.
* **"seven times seven years;":** This phrase re-states and clarifies the previous clause, explicitly defining "seven sabbaths of years" as a period of "seven times seven years." This repetition serves to remove any ambiguity and to emphasize the precise duration, reinforcing the numerical significance of the number seven. It underscores the divine precision and the complete, perfect cycle that is being measured.
* **"and the space of the seven sabbaths of years shall be unto thee forty and nine years.":** This final clause provides the exact numerical sum of the counting, explicitly stating that the total duration of "seven sabbaths of years" is "forty and nine years." This clear declaration of 49 years as the period leading up to the Jubilee year solidifies the temporal framework, preparing the community for the momentous fiftieth year of liberation and restoration, which is implicitly anticipated by this precise calculation.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 25:8 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message. **Repetition** is prominently used, particularly with the number "seven" and the phrase "sabbaths of years." The text states "seven sabbaths of years" and then immediately clarifies it as "seven times seven years," reinforcing the concept and ensuring clarity. This repetition not only emphasizes the precise duration but also underscores the sacred and complete nature of the cycle. This leads to the significant use of **Numerical Symbolism**, where the number seven, often associated with completeness and divine perfection throughout scripture (e.g., the seven days of creation in [Genesis 2:2](/genesis/2-2 "Genesis 2:2 - God Rests on the Seventh Day")), is amplified. The product of "seven times seven" yields forty-nine, a number that signifies a full, perfect cycle culminating in the fiftieth year of Jubilee. Furthermore, the verse functions as a **Divine Command**, using the imperative "thou shalt number," which highlights God's direct authority and His active role in establishing the temporal order for His people. This imperative establishes the law as a non-negotiable aspect of their covenant relationship, emphasizing obedience and trust in God's wisdom.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 25:8, by meticulously detailing the forty-nine-year cycle leading to the Jubilee, profoundly illustrates God's sovereignty over time and His meticulous ordering of human life. It reveals a God who is deeply concerned with justice, equity, and the well-being of His people, implementing a system designed to prevent perpetual poverty and ensure periodic restoration. The emphasis on "sabbaths of years" extends the principle of rest from the weekly Sabbath to a societal and generational scale, teaching Israel to trust in God's provision rather than solely in their own labor and accumulation. This long-term planning instilled patience and a forward-looking faith, anticipating a divinely ordained time of release and renewal.

* [Exodus 20:8-11](/exodus/20-8 "Exodus 20:8-11 - Remember the Sabbath Day")
* [Isaiah 61:1-2](/isaiah/61-1 "Isaiah 61:1-2 - The Anointed One Proclaims Good News")
* [Psalm 24:1](/psalms/24-1 "Psalm 24:1 - The Earth is the Lord's")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Leviticus 25:8 invites us to reflect on the divine rhythm of life, emphasizing that God's design includes cycles of work, rest, and restoration, not just for individuals but for communities and even the land itself. In a world often driven by endless accumulation and productivity, this verse challenges us to embrace principles of intentional cessation, trusting that God's provision is sufficient even when we "let go" or "step back." It reminds us that true security is found not in what we possess or produce, but in our reliance on the faithful Creator who owns all things. Furthermore, the underlying principles of equity and justice embedded in the Jubilee system call us to consider our role in addressing systemic inequalities, advocating for the vulnerable, and promoting restorative practices within our own spheres of influence, reflecting God's heart for a just and compassionate society.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of a "sabbath of years" challenge our modern understanding of productivity and accumulation?**
* **In what areas of your life (spiritual, emotional, physical, financial) might God be calling you to embrace a deeper rhythm of rest and release, trusting in His provision?**
* **How can the principles of justice and equity, inherent in the Jubilee, inform our engagement with social and economic issues in our communities today?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the "forty and nine years" mentioned in Leviticus 25:8?**

Answer: The "forty and nine years" represents the culmination of seven cycles of Sabbath years (7 x 7 = 49). This precise duration is significant because it immediately precedes the fiftieth year, which is the Year of Jubilee. The number seven in biblical numerology symbolizes completeness and perfection, and its multiplication (seven times seven) signifies a profound and divinely complete cycle. This period was designed to build anticipation and prepare the community for the radical reset of the Jubilee, during which land reverted to its original owners and all Israelite indentured servants were freed, reinforcing God's ultimate ownership of the land and His desire for social equity within Israel, as detailed in [Leviticus 25:10](/leviticus/25-10 "Leviticus 25:10 - The Jubilee Proclamation").

**How does the "sabbaths of years" relate to the weekly Sabbath?**

Answer: The "sabbaths of years" (and by extension, the Jubilee) are an extension and intensification of the principle behind the weekly Sabbath. The weekly Sabbath, commanded in [Exodus 20:8-11](/exodus/20-8 "Exodus 20:8-11 - The Command to Keep the Sabbath Holy"), required a day of rest for both humans and animals, acknowledging God as Creator and Provider. The Sabbath year (every seventh year) extended this rest to the land itself, requiring it to lie fallow, and included provisions for debt release and care for the poor (see [Leviticus 25:1-7](/leviticus/25-1 "Leviticus 25:1-7 - Laws of the Sabbath Year")). The "sabbaths of years" in Leviticus 25:8 refers to seven such Sabbath years, culminating in a grand "Sabbath of Sabbaths." This progression demonstrates a divine pattern of rest, release, and reliance on God that scales from the individual (daily/weekly) to the societal and generational (yearly/seven-yearly/fiftieth-yearly), emphasizing God's holistic concern for His creation and His people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The intricate counting of "seven sabbaths of years" culminating in forty-nine years, as commanded in Leviticus 25:8, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Jubilee laws, with their promise of release, restoration of inheritance, and liberty for the captives, were but a shadow pointing to the greater spiritual reality brought by the Messiah. Jesus himself alluded to this fulfillment when He read from Isaiah in the synagogue, proclaiming, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor" ([Luke 4:18-19](/luke/4-18 "Luke 4:18-19 - Jesus Proclaims His Mission"), quoting [Isaiah 61:1-2](/isaiah/61-1 "Isaiah 61:1-2 - The Anointed One Proclaims Good News")). Christ is the true Jubilee, ushering in an eternal "year of the Lord's favor" that provides ultimate release from the bondage of sin and death, restoring humanity to its lost inheritance in God (see [Romans 8:21](/romans/8-21 "Romans 8:21 - Glorious Liberty of the Children of God")). Through His atoning sacrifice, He has paid the debt of our sin, set us free from spiritual slavery, and returned us to our rightful place as children of God, heirs of an incorruptible inheritance (as described in [1 Peter 1:3-4](/1_peter/1-3 "1 Peter 1:3-4 - A Living Hope, an Incorruptible Inheritance")). The temporal cycles of the Old Covenant, including the Sabbath and Jubilee, were "a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ" ([Colossians 2:16-17](/colossians/2-16 "Colossians 2:16-17 - Shadow and Reality in Christ")), who offers true and lasting rest for our souls (as promised in [Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary")).

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 23:15

¶ And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete:

Genesis 2:2

And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.