Leviticus 25:3 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 25:3 mean?

Leviticus 25:3 tells the Israelites that for six years, they are to plant crops in their fields, trim their vineyards, and gather the produce. This instruction sets a pattern for regular farming activity, leading up to a special change in the seventh year.

In this verse, God is speaking to Moses, who is relaying these instructions to the people of Israel as they prepare to live in the land of Canaan. The context is the introduction of the Sabbath year, a time when normal agricultural work would pause every seventh year. This verse sets up the rhythm of six years of work, which makes the coming command to rest in the seventh year stand out more clearly.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 25:3

• "Six" (שֵׁשׁ, shesh) and "years" (שָׁנָה, shanah): The repetition of "six years" emphasizes a complete, regular cycle of work before a change.
• "Sow" (זָרַע, zaraʿ): This word means to scatter seed, highlighting the normal, active process of planting crops.
• "Prune" (זָמַר, zamar): This word refers to trimming or cutting back vines, which is essential for healthy grape production.
• "Gather" (אָסַף, asaf): This means to collect or bring in the harvest, showing that the people are to fully benefit from their labor during these six years.

Why Leviticus 25:3 matters

• Leviticus 25:3 clarifies that regular farming was not only allowed but expected for six years, so the Sabbath year command is not about rejecting agriculture but about setting limits and rhythms.
• The verse highlights the practical, everyday obedience God expected from the Israelites, connecting their faith to their work and land.
• Understanding this verse helps make sense of the larger passage about the Sabbath year (Leviticus 25:4), showing that the command to rest was not arbitrary but built on a familiar pattern of work and harvest.