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Bible Dictionaries
Sabbatical Year
Bridgeway Bible Dictionary
or A sabbatical year was a year when all farming land was given rest from agricultural activity. It was supposed to occur every seventh year throughout Israel’s history. There was also to be release for debtors and a public reading of the Mosaic law every seventh year. Although these latter two functions were not specifically connected with the year of rest for the land, they were probably arranged to coincide with it.
Rest for the land
Just as people and their working animals rested one day in seven, so the land was to be rested one year in seven. By ceasing agricultural activity during this year, the Israelites had the opportunity to recognize in a special way that God was the rightful owner of the land. They were merely tenants, and could not treat God’s land as they wished. Also, the rest from farming gave the land the opportunity to clear itself of pests and restore its natural powers of production (Exodus 23:10-11; Leviticus 25:1-7; Leviticus 25:23).
The people had no reason to fear a shortage of food during the sabbatical year. God would bless every sixth year with double the normal produce, so that people could store up food for use the next year. In addition there would be enough natural growth during the sabbatical year for people such as the poor who could not store up in advance. There would also be enough for the flocks and herds (Leviticus 25:6-7; Leviticus 25:12; Leviticus 25:18-22). If the people disobeyed God’s laws and did not rest the land one year in seven, God would force them to rest it by driving them from it (Leviticus 26:34-43; cf. 2 Chronicles 36:20-21; Jeremiah 34:13-22).
Release for debtors
At the end of every seven years, Israelites were to forgive any debts owed them by fellow Israelites. They were to consider themselves one big family, where those who had money helped those who were in need. They were not to refuse anyone a loan, even if the year of release was approaching. However, in the case of foreigners who owed Israelites debts, normal business procedures applied (Deuteronomy 15:1-11). Israelites who were slaves of their fellow Israelites were also released in the seventh year. Foreigners who were slaves of Israelites apparently did not enjoy this privilege (Deuteronomy 15:12-18; Leviticus 25:44-46; see SLAVE).
Reading of the law
One duty of the priests in the year of release was to gather the people together for a public reading of the law, to remind them of their responsibilities as God’s people. This reading was to take place at the central place of worship when the people assembled to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles (Deuteronomy 31:9-13).
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Fleming, Don. Entry for 'Sabbatical Year'. Bridgeway Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/bbd/s/sabbatical-year.html. 2004.
