Leviticus 25:4 Meaning and Explanation
“But in the seventh year shall be a sabbath of rest unto the land, a sabbath for the LORD: thou shalt neither sow thy field, nor prune thy vineyard.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →In the seventh year, farmers must stop all cultivation work; the land rests completely.
The Context of Leviticus 25:4
The seventh year mandates complete agricultural rest as an act of worship.
What Does Leviticus 25:4 Mean?
The seventh year inverts the pattern: no sowing, no pruning, no deliberate cultivation. This is not temporary idleness but structured obedience. The prohibition is absolute and applies to everyone, creating a countercultural break from constant productivity.
The phrase 'a sabbath for the LORD' frames this rest as religious worship. It honors God's ownership and rhythm, not merely human economics. The land's rest glorifies the divine design for creation, asserting that continuous extraction violates the Creator's intended order.
Leviticus 25:4 in the Original Language
šabbat (שַׁבָּת), 'sabbath of rest' — emphasizing cessation; menuḥâh (מְנוּחָה), 'rest' — peace or repose as a divine gift.
Frequently Asked Questions About Leviticus 25:4
What does Leviticus 25:4 mean?
In the seventh year, farmers must stop all cultivation work; the land rests completely.
What is the context of Leviticus 25:4?
The seventh year mandates complete agricultural rest as an act of worship.