Exodus 23:11 - 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 animal of the field shall eat. In the same way, you shall deal with your vineyard and with your olive grove.
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What does "Exodus 23:11" mean?
Exodus 23:11 outlines a specific agricultural practice related to the Sabbatical Year, a concept central to the ancient Israelite social and economic system. Here's a breakdown of the verse's meaning:
"but the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow": Every seventh year, the Israelites were commanded to refrain from cultivating their land. "Lie fallow" means leaving the land unplanted and unused. This was a radical concept, as it required trust in God to provide enough sustenance in the previous six years to sustain them through the seventh.
"that the poor of your people may eat": The purpose of letting the land lie fallow was partly to provide for the poor. Anyone, particularly those who didn't own land, was allowed to glean (gather leftover crops) from what naturally grew in the fields during the Sabbatical Year. This provided a safety net for the vulnerable within the community.
"and what they leave the animal of the field shall eat": After the poor had gathered what they needed, any remaining produce from the uncultivated fields was to be left for the wild animals. This emphasizes the idea of sharing the land's bounty with all of creation, not just humans.
"In the same way, you shall deal with your vineyard and with your olive grove": This extends the same principle of the Sabbatical Year to vineyards (grape cultivation) and olive groves. These too were to be left uncultivated every seventh year, and their natural produce was to be available for the poor and animals.
In essence, this verse promotes:
Rest and renewal for the land: Giving the soil a break from cultivation would replenish its nutrients and improve its long-term health.
Social justice and compassion: Providing for the poor and vulnerable by allowing them to glean from the uncultivated land.
Trust in God's provision: Requiring faith that God would provide enough food during the preceding six years to sustain the community through the Sabbatical Year.
Environmental stewardship: Recognizing that the land and its resources are not solely for human exploitation but are to be shared with all of creation, including animals.
This law served as a reminder that the land ultimately belonged to God and that the Israelites were stewards of it, responsible for its care and for the well-being of the community. It was a practical expression of their covenant relationship with God.
Exodus 23:11 - 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 animal of the field shall eat. In the same way, you shall deal with your vineyard and with your olive grove.
What does "Exodus 23:11" mean?
Exodus 23:11 outlines a specific agricultural practice related to the Sabbatical Year, a concept central to the ancient Israelite social and economic system. Here's a breakdown of the verse's meaning:
"but the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow": Every seventh year, the Israelites were commanded to refrain from cultivating their land. "Lie fallow" means leaving the land unplanted and unused. This was a radical concept, as it required trust in God to provide enough sustenance in the previous six years to sustain them through the seventh.
"that the poor of your people may eat": The purpose of letting the land lie fallow was partly to provide for the poor. Anyone, particularly those who didn't own land, was allowed to glean (gather leftover crops) from what naturally grew in the fields during the Sabbatical Year. This provided a safety net for the vulnerable within the community.
"and what they leave the animal of the field shall eat": After the poor had gathered what they needed, any remaining produce from the uncultivated fields was to be left for the wild animals. This emphasizes the idea of sharing the land's bounty with all of creation, not just humans.
"In the same way, you shall deal with your vineyard and with your olive grove": This extends the same principle of the Sabbatical Year to vineyards (grape cultivation) and olive groves. These too were to be left uncultivated every seventh year, and their natural produce was to be available for the poor and animals.
In essence, this verse promotes:
Rest and renewal for the land: Giving the soil a break from cultivation would replenish its nutrients and improve its long-term health.
Social justice and compassion: Providing for the poor and vulnerable by allowing them to glean from the uncultivated land.
Trust in God's provision: Requiring faith that God would provide enough food during the preceding six years to sustain the community through the Sabbatical Year.
Environmental stewardship: Recognizing that the land and its resources are not solely for human exploitation but are to be shared with all of creation, including animals.
This law served as a reminder that the land ultimately belonged to God and that the Israelites were stewards of it, responsible for its care and for the well-being of the community. It was a practical expression of their covenant relationship with God.