Exodus 23:10 - “For six years you shall sow your land, and shall gather in its increase,

Generated Verse: Exodus 23:10

What does "Exodus 23:10" mean?


Exodus 23:10, "For six years you shall sow your land, and shall gather in its increase," is part of a broader set of instructions given to the Israelites regarding the treatment of the land and their fellow humans. This verse specifically mandates a six-year cycle of agriculture. Let's break down its meaning:

"For six years you shall sow your land...": This is a direct instruction to cultivate the land for six consecutive years. It is a permission and an encouragement to engage in agricultural labor and benefit from the land's productivity.
"...and shall gather in its increase": This means that for six years, they are allowed to harvest the crops that their land produces. They are permitted to enjoy the fruits of their labor during those six years.

In Essence:

This verse tells the Israelites that they are allowed, and even expected, to work their land for six years, planting crops and harvesting the yields. It establishes a foundation for a structured agricultural practice within their society.

Significance in Context:

This verse needs to be understood in the context of the following verse (Exodus 23:11), which states: "but the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow, that the poor of your people may eat; and what they leave the wild beasts may eat. You shall do likewise with your vineyard and with your olive orchard."

Taken together, these verses establish the concept of the Sabbatical Year (Shmita):

Sustainability: The seven-year cycle allowed the land to rest and replenish its nutrients, promoting long-term sustainability and preventing soil depletion.
Social Justice: The poor were allowed to glean what grew naturally during the Sabbatical Year, providing them with food and reducing dependence on charity.
Trust in God: By abstaining from working the land, the Israelites were demonstrating their faith in God to provide for them, trusting that He would supply them with enough food to last through the Sabbatical Year. It was an act of faith and dependence on divine provision.
Compassion for the Poor and Animals: Allowing the poor and wild animals to glean what grows freely during the seventh year promoted compassion and generosity.

Therefore, Exodus 23:10 isn't just about planting and harvesting; it's the foundation for a system designed to balance agricultural productivity with environmental sustainability, social justice, and spiritual dependence on God. It emphasizes the responsibility of landowners to care for the land and share its bounty with those in need.