King James Version

What Does Leviticus 25:8 Mean?

Leviticus 25:8 in the King James Version says “And thou shalt number seven sabbaths of years unto thee, seven times seven years; and the space of the seven sabbaths of...” — study this verse from Leviticus chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Leviticus 25:8 · KJV

Context

6

And the sabbath of the land shall be meat for you; for thee, and for thy servant, and for thy maid, and for thy hired servant, and for thy stranger that sojourneth with thee,

7

And for thy cattle, and for the beast that are in thy land, shall all the increase thereof be meat.

8

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.

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.

Read Leviticus 25 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

This verse falls within the section on Sabbath Year and Jubilee. Sabbath year rest for land and Year of Jubilee releasing debts and slaves, teaching trust in God's provision.


The holiness demanded in Leviticus becomes possible through Christ, who both satisfies God's righteous requirements and transforms believers by His Spirit.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Sabbath year rest for land and Year of Jubilee releasing debts and slaves, teaching trust in God's provision. Chapters 17-27, often called the 'Holiness Code,' expand covenant obligations beyond ritual to encompass all of life—sexuality, economics, justice, and relationships. The repeated refrain 'I am the LORD' grounds these laws in God's character and covenant relationship with Israel. Israel received these laws while encamped at Sinai, before entering Canaan. The laws prepared them for life in the promised land, distinguishing them from Canaanite practices and establishing their identity as God's holy nation. The portable tabernacle, central to Levitical worship, accompanied them through wilderness wanderings and eventually found permanent form in Solomon's temple. The tabernacle's design parallels ancient Near Eastern temple architecture, yet its portable nature and absence of divine images distinguished it from pagan temples.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse reveal God's character, and how should that revelation shape your relationship with Him?
  2. In what practical ways should this verse influence your church life, family relationships, or personal integrity?
  3. What does this verse teach about the seriousness of sin, the cost of redemption, or the beauty of holiness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וְסָֽפַרְתָּ֣1 of 18

“And thou shalt number”

H5608

properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e., (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e., celebra

לְךָ֗2 of 18
H0
שֶׁ֚בַע3 of 18

“of the seven”

H7651

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

שַׁבְּתֹ֣ת4 of 18

“sabbaths”

H7676

intermission, i.e (specifically) the sabbath

שָׁנָֽה׃5 of 18

“of years”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

שֶׁ֚בַע6 of 18

“of the seven”

H7651

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

שָׁנָֽה׃7 of 18

“of years”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

שֶׁ֚בַע8 of 18

“of the seven”

H7651

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

פְּעָמִ֑ים9 of 18

“times”

H6471

a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow)

וְהָי֣וּ10 of 18
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לְךָ֗11 of 18
H0
יְמֵי֙12 of 18

“and the space”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

שֶׁ֚בַע13 of 18

“of the seven”

H7651

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

שַׁבְּתֹ֣ת14 of 18

“sabbaths”

H7676

intermission, i.e (specifically) the sabbath

שָׁנָֽה׃15 of 18

“of years”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

תֵּ֥שַׁע16 of 18

“and nine”

H8672

nine or (ordinal) ninth

וְאַרְבָּעִ֖ים17 of 18

“shall be unto thee forty”

H705

forty

שָׁנָֽה׃18 of 18

“of years”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

Study Guide

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 25:8 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 25:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Leviticus 23:15Genesis 2:2

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