Exodus 23:11

“But the seventh year thou shall let it rest, and lie still, etc.] From tillage, and make its fruits common, as the Targum of Jonathan; the note of Jarchi is, “let it rest”, from perfect tillage, as ploughing and sowing; “and lie still”, from dunging and harrowing, or weeding: this law was intended to show that God was the original proprietor and owner of this land, and that the Israelites held it under him; and to teach them to depend upon and trust in his providence; as well as that there might be both rest for the land, and so it became more fruitful afterwards, having by this rest renewed its vigour, and also for servants and cattle; and that the poor might have an equal share in the…”

“This is the first mention of the Sabbatical year; the law for it is given at length in Leviticus 25:2. Both the Sabbatical year and the weekly Sabbath are here spoken of exclusively in their relation to the poor, as bearing testimony to the equality of the people in their covenant with Yahweh. In the first of these institutions, the proprietor of the soil gave up his rights for the year to the whole community of living creatures, not excepting the beasts: in the latter, the master gave up his claim for the day to the services of his servants and cattle. Exodus 23:12 May be refreshed - Literally, “may take breath.” return to 'Top of Page'”

“the seventh: Lev 25:2-7, Lev 25:11, Lev 25:12, Lev 25:20, Lev 25:22, Lev 26:34, Lev 26:35 oliveyard: or, olive-trees Exodus 23:12”