Leviticus 25:8 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Count seven Sabbath cycles of seven years each; this forty-nine-year period leads to the jubilee.
The Context of Leviticus 25:8
The jubilee year is reached after seven cycles of seven-year Sabbaths.
What Does Leviticus 25:8 Mean?
This verse establishes the jubilee cycle. Seven sevens (7×7=49) creates a larger rhythmic unit, with the fiftieth year (the jubilee) following as the culmination. The instruction to 'number' means to count deliberately, making the jubilee visible and anticipated in Israel's consciousness.
The proliferation of sevens reflects divine order: the seventh day is Sabbath, the seventh year is Sabbath, and the seventh Sabbath cycle leads to jubilee. This pattern embeds God's design at multiple scales, from daily rhythm to half-century renewal.
Leviticus 25:8 in the Original Language
šabbat (שַׁבְּתוֹת), 'sabbaths of years' — emphasizing that the pattern of seven repeats at a larger scale.
Frequently Asked Questions About Leviticus 25:8
What does Leviticus 25:8 mean?
Count seven Sabbath cycles of seven years each; this forty-nine-year period leads to the jubilee.
What is the context of Leviticus 25:8?
The jubilee year is reached after seven cycles of seven-year Sabbaths.