King James Version
What Does Leviticus 25:11 Mean?
“A jubile shall that fiftieth year be unto you: ye shall not sow, neither reap that which groweth of itself in it, nor gather the grapes in it of thy vine undressed.”
Context
9
Then shalt thou cause the trumpet of the jubile to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month, in the day of atonement shall ye make the trumpet sound throughout all your land. of the jubile: Heb. loud of sound
10
And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubile unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family.
11
A jubile shall that fiftieth year be unto you: ye shall not sow, neither reap that which groweth of itself in it, nor gather the grapes in it of thy vine undressed.
12
For it is the jubile; it shall be holy unto you: ye shall eat the increase thereof out of the field.
13
In the year of this jubile ye shall return every man unto his possession.
Commentary
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers(11) **A jubile shall that fiftieth year be unto you.**—According to the unanimous testimony of the authorities during the second Temple, including Philo (ii. 287-290) and Josephus (*Antt. iii.* 12, § 3), the jubile was observed every fiftieth year, as is plainly enjoined both in the verse before us and in Leviticus 25:10. As the forty-ninth year is the sabbatical year and the fiftieth year the jubile, there were two successive fallow years.
**Ye shall not sow.**—As the fiftieth year is jubile, and partakes of the nature of the sabbatical year, sowing and reaping are forbidden.
**Neither reap that which groweth of itself in it.**—That is, the spontaneous growth of this year is not to be made into a regular harvest and stored up. (See Leviticus 25:5.)
**Vine undressed.**—See Leviticus 25:5.
Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.
Historical Context
This verse is found in the book of Leviticus. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Theological Significance
Leviticus 25:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Cross-References
Verses related to Leviticus 25:11
Cross-references from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge