Exodus 23:10 (KJV)

What does Exodus 23:10 mean?

Exodus 23:10 instructs the Israelites to plant and harvest their land for six years in a row. This verse sets up a pattern of regular farming, which is later contrasted with a special instruction for the seventh year.

In this part of Exodus, God is giving Moses laws for the people of Israel as they prepare to live in the promised land. The verse is part of a larger section about how to treat the land and others fairly. The focus here is on ordinary agricultural work, laying the groundwork for the following command about letting the land rest.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 23:10

• "Sow" (זָרַע, zaraʿ) means to scatter seed for planting. This word highlights the active work of farming, not just owning land but working it.
• "Gather" (אָסַף, asaf) means to collect or bring in, referring to the harvest. This shows the expectation of a full farming cycle: planting and then reaping the results.
• "Fruits" (תְּבוּאָה, tevu’ah) refers to produce or yield, not just fruit in the modern sense but all crops. The word points to the results of the land’s productivity, which is central to the verse’s meaning.

Why Exodus 23:10 matters

• This verse prepares the reader for the following command about the sabbath year, where the land is to rest in the seventh year; understanding the normal pattern makes the exception stand out.
• The instruction is given to a whole community, showing that care for the land and its produce is a shared responsibility, not just an individual concern.
• The verse connects to a larger biblical theme: the rhythm of work and rest, and the idea that the land itself is to be treated with respect and not endlessly exploited.