Sabbatic Year(Sabbatical Year)
Summary
The septennial rest for the land from all tillage and cultivation, observed every seventh year in ancient Israel as a Sabbath for the land unto the Lord.
☩Names and Meaning
The sabbatic year was known by four names in Scripture: 'Sabbath of Sabbaths' or 'Rest of entire Rest' because the land had complete rest from cultivation; 'Year of Sabbatism' because the rest extended through the entire year; 'Shemittah' or 'Year of Release' because debts were remitted; and 'The Seventh Year' because it was celebrated every seventh year. Like the weekly Sabbath, both institutions limited property rights and put in God's claims—one on time, the other on land. The land was to 'keep a Sabbath unto the Lord.'
☩Laws of the Sabbatic Year
Three main enactments governed the sabbatic year. First, rest for the soil: the land, vineyards, and olive yards were to have complete rest with no tillage or cultivation of any sort. Second, care for the poor: the spontaneous growth of fields and trees was for the free use of the poor, hirelings, strangers, servants, and cattle. Third, remission of debts: creditors were required to release debtors from their obligations, though foreigners were excepted from this privilege.
☩Divine Promise and Provision
God promised an especially fruitful harvest in the sixth year to sustain the people through the sabbatic year and beyond. The people were to trust in God's provision, living on the stored harvest of the preceding year and the spontaneous growth of the fallow year. Though the right of property was in abeyance during the sabbatic year, owners were to lay by corn in previous years for their families' needs.
☩Reading of the Law
On the Feast of Tabernacles in the sabbatic year, the Law was read before all Israel. This reading occurred at the close of the first day of the feast, when certain portions of Deuteronomy were publicly proclaimed. This practice indicates the sabbatic year was not merely negative rest, but was marked by high and holy occupation, connected with sacred reflection and religious instruction.
☩Historical Observance
Jewish tradition indicates the sabbatic year was poorly observed before the Babylonian exile, and the seventy years of captivity corresponded to the seventy sabbatic years Israel failed to keep. After the exile, however, the law was more strictly observed. Alexander the Great exempted the Jews from tribute in the seventh year because they could not sow or reap. The Maccabees strictly observed it, though it sometimes weakened their military position.
Related Verses11 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Sabbatical Year," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Sabbatical Year," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).