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Leviticus 25:20

Leviticus 25:20 in Multiple Translations

Now you may wonder, ‘What will we eat in the seventh year if we do not sow or gather our produce?’

And if ye shall say, What shall we eat the seventh year? behold, we shall not sow, nor gather in our increase:

And if ye shall say, What shall we eat the seventh year? behold, we shall not sow, nor gather in our increase;

And if you say, Where will our food come from in the seventh year, when we may not put in seed, or get in the increase

But if you ask, ‘What are we going to do in the seventh year if we do not sow or harvest our crops?’

And if ye shall say, What shall we eate the seuenth yeere, for we shall not sowe, nor gather in our increase?

'And when ye say, What do we eat in the seventh year, lo, we do not sow, nor gather our increase?

If you said, “What shall we eat the seventh year? Behold, we shall not sow, nor gather in our increase;”

And if ye shall say, What shall we eat the seventh year? behold, we shall not sow nor gather in our increase:

But if you say: What shall we eat the seventh year, if we sow not, nor gather our fruits?

But you may ask, “If we do not plant or harvest our crops during the seventh year, what will we have to eat?”

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Leviticus 25:20

BAB
Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Leviticus 25:20 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB וְ/כִ֣י תֹאמְר֔וּ מַה נֹּאכַ֤֖ל בַּ/שָּׁנָ֣ה הַ/שְּׁבִיעִ֑ת הֵ֚ן לֹ֣א נִזְרָ֔ע וְ/לֹ֥א נֶאֱסֹ֖ף אֶת תְּבוּאָתֵֽ/נוּ
וְ/כִ֣י kîy H3588 for Conj | Conj
תֹאמְר֔וּ ʼâmar H559 to say V-Qal-Imperf-2mp
מַה mâh H4100 what? Part
נֹּאכַ֤֖ל ʼâkal H398 to eat V-Qal-Imperf-1cp
בַּ/שָּׁנָ֣ה shâneh H8141 year Prep | N-fs
הַ/שְּׁבִיעִ֑ת shᵉbîyʻîy H7637 seventh Art | Adj
הֵ֚ן hên H2005 look! Part
לֹ֣א lôʼ H3808 not Part
נִזְרָ֔ע zâraʻ H2232 to sow V-Qal-Imperf-1cp
וְ/לֹ֥א lôʼ H3808 not Conj | Part
נֶאֱסֹ֖ף ʼâçaph H622 to gather V-Qal-Imperf-1cp
אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM
תְּבוּאָתֵֽ/נוּ tᵉbûwʼâh H8393 produce N-fs | Suff
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Leviticus 25:20

וְ/כִ֣י kîy H3588 "for" Conj | Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
תֹאמְר֔וּ ʼâmar H559 "to say" V-Qal-Imperf-2mp
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
מַה mâh H4100 "what?" Part
This Hebrew word means what or how, often used to ask questions or express surprise, like in Genesis when God asks Adam what he has done. It can also mean why or when, and is used in various ways throughout the Old Testament. It appears in many KJV translations, including how or what.
Definition: interr pron 1) what, how, of what kind 1a) (interrogative) 1a1) what? 1a2) of what kind 1a3) what? (rhetorical) 1a4) whatsoever, whatever, what 1b) (adverb) 1b1) how, how now 1b2) why 1b3) how! (exclamation) 1c) (with prep) 1c1) wherein?, whereby?, wherewith?, by what means? 1c2) because of what? 1c3) the like of what? 1c3a) how much?, how many?, how often? 1c3b) for how long? 1c4) for what reason?, why?, to what purpose? 1c5) until when?, how long?, upon what?, wherefore? indef pron 2) anything, aught, what may
Usage: Occurs in 655 OT verses. KJV: how (long, oft, (-soever)), (no-) thing, what (end, good, purpose, thing), whereby(-fore, -in, -to, -with), (for) why. See also: Genesis 2:19; Numbers 21:5; 1 Samuel 19:5.
נֹּאכַ֤֖ל ʼâkal H398 "to eat" V-Qal-Imperf-1cp
This word means to eat or devour, and it's used in many stories, including when Jesus fed the 5000 with fish and bread in the book of Matthew. It's about taking in nourishment and being satisfied.
Definition: 1) to eat, devour, burn up, feed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to eat (human subject) 1a2) to eat, devour (of beasts and birds) 1a3) to devour, consume (of fire) 1a4) to devour, slay (of sword) 1a5) to devour, consume, destroy (inanimate subjects - ie, pestilence, drought) 1a6) to devour (of oppression) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be eaten (by men) 1b2) to be devoured, consumed (of fire) 1b3) to be wasted, destroyed (of flesh) 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to cause to eat, feed with 1c2) to cause to devour 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to feed 1d2) to cause to eat 1e) (Piel) 1e1) consume Aramaic equivalent: a.khal (אֲכַל "to devour" H0399)
Usage: Occurs in 703 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite. See also: Genesis 2:16; Leviticus 6:9; Numbers 24:8.
בַּ/שָּׁנָ֣ה shâneh H8141 "year" Prep | N-fs
This word also means a year, like when Abraham was 100 years old in Genesis 21. It is used to describe a period of time, age, or a lifetime.
Definition: 1) year 1a) as division of time 1b) as measure of time 1c) as indication of age 1d) a lifetime (of years of life) Aramaic equivalent: she.nah (שְׁנָה "year" H8140)
Usage: Occurs in 647 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] whole age, [idiom] long, [phrase] old, year([idiom] -ly). See also: Genesis 1:14; Genesis 47:28; Numbers 7:35.
הַ/שְּׁבִיעִ֑ת shᵉbîyʻîy H7637 "seventh" Art | Adj
The Hebrew word for seventh, this term is an ordinal number used to describe something in the seventh position. It appears in the Bible as seventh time.
Definition: 1) seventh 1a) ordinal number
Usage: Occurs in 94 OT verses. KJV: seventh (time). See also: Genesis 2:2; Numbers 29:12; Jeremiah 28:17.
הֵ֚ן hên H2005 "look!" Part
An expression meaning look or behold, used to get someone's attention, like in the prophet Isaiah's writings. It can also express surprise or introduce a hypothetical situation.
Definition: interj 1) behold, lo, though hypothetical part 2) if Aramaic equivalent: hen (הֵן "look!" H2006A)
Usage: Occurs in 311 OT verses. KJV: behold, if, lo, though. See also: Genesis 3:22; Job 2:6; Psalms 51:7.
לֹ֣א lôʼ H3808 "not" Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
נִזְרָ֔ע zâraʻ H2232 "to sow" V-Qal-Imperf-1cp
To sow or plant seed is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which also has figurative uses like spreading ideas or producing spiritual fruit. It appears in various forms, such as conceiving or yielding seed, and is used in biblical passages like Genesis and Psalm 107.
Definition: 1) to sow, scatter seed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to sow 1a2) producing, yielding seed 1b)(Niphal) 1b1) to be sown 1b2) to become pregnant, be made pregnant 1c) (Pual) to be sown 1d) (Hiphil) to produce seed, yield seed
Usage: Occurs in 54 OT verses. KJV: bear, conceive seed, set with sow(-er), yield. See also: Genesis 1:11; Psalms 107:37; Psalms 97:11.
וְ/לֹ֥א lôʼ H3808 "not" Conj | Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
נֶאֱסֹ֖ף ʼâçaph H622 "to gather" V-Qal-Imperf-1cp
To gather means to bring people or things together, often for a purpose like worship or community. It can also mean to take away or remove something, like gathering a harvest. This word appears in books like Genesis and Psalms.
Definition: 1) to gather, receive, remove, gather in 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to gather, collect 1a2) to gather (an individual into company of others) 1a3) to bring up the rear 1a4) to gather and take away, remove, withdraw 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to assemble, be gathered 1b2) (pass of Qal 1a2) 1b2a) to be gathered to one's fathers 1b2b) to be brought in or into (association with others) 1b3) (pass of Qal 1a4) 1b3a) to be taken away, removed, perish 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to gather (harvest) 1c2) to take in, receive into 1c3) rearguard, rearward (subst) 1d) (Pual) to be gathered 1e) (Hithpael) to gather oneself or themselves
Usage: Occurs in 188 OT verses. KJV: assemble, bring, consume, destroy, felch, gather (in, together, up again), [idiom] generally, get (him), lose, put all together, receive, recover (another from leprosy), (be) rereward, [idiom] surely, take (away, into, up), [idiom] utterly, withdraw. See also: Genesis 6:21; 1 Chronicles 11:13; Psalms 26:9.
אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
תְּבוּאָתֵֽ/נוּ tᵉbûwʼâh H8393 "produce" N-fs | Suff
This word means produce or income, referring to crops, revenue, or even the product of our lips. It is translated as fruit, gain, or revenue in the KJV Bible.
Definition: 1) produce, product, revenue 1a) product, yield, crops (of the earth usually) 1b) income, revenue 1c) gain (of wisdom) (fig) 1d) product of lips (fig)
Usage: Occurs in 40 OT verses. KJV: fruit, gain, increase, revenue. See also: Genesis 47:24; 2 Kings 8:6; Psalms 107:37.

Study Notes — Leviticus 25:20

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Leviticus 25:4 But in the seventh year there shall be a Sabbath of complete rest for the land—a Sabbath to the LORD. You are not to sow your field or prune your vineyard.
2 Luke 12:29 And do not be concerned about what you will eat or drink. Do not worry about it.
3 Numbers 11:4 Meanwhile, the rabble among them had a strong craving for other food, and again the Israelites wept and said, “Who will feed us meat?
4 Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
5 Psalms 78:19–20 They spoke against God, saying, “Can God really prepare a table in the wilderness? When He struck the rock, water gushed out and torrents raged. But can He also give bread or supply His people with meat?”
6 Numbers 11:13 Where can I get meat for all these people? For they keep crying out to me, ‘Give us meat to eat!’
7 Isaiah 1:2 Listen, O heavens, and give ear, O earth, for the LORD has spoken: “I have raised children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against Me.
8 Matthew 6:25–34 Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns—and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? And why do you worry about clothes? Consider how the lilies of the field grow: They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was adorned like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles strive after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own.
9 Matthew 8:26 “You of little faith,” Jesus replied, “why are you so afraid?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it was perfectly calm.
10 2 Chronicles 25:9 Amaziah asked the man of God, “What should I do about the hundred talents I have given to the army of Israel?” And the man of God replied, “The LORD is able to give you much more than this.”

Leviticus 25:20 Summary

This verse shows that the Israelites were worried about how they would eat if they didn't plant or harvest food in the seventh year. They were used to working hard to grow their own food, and the idea of not doing so was unsettling. However, as seen in Leviticus 25:21, God promised to provide for them in the sixth year, so they would have enough food for the seventh year. This teaches us to trust in God's provision, even when things seem uncertain, and to remember that He is always working for our good, as stated in Romans 8:28 and Jeremiah 29:11.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why were the Israelites concerned about not sowing or gathering produce in the seventh year?

The Israelites were concerned because they relied heavily on their agricultural produce for food, as seen in Leviticus 25:20, and the command to not sow or gather in the seventh year seemed to threaten their food supply, but as promised in Leviticus 25:21, God would provide for them.

How does this verse relate to trusting in God's provision?

This verse shows that the Israelites were to trust in God's provision, even when it seemed uncertain, as stated in Leviticus 25:20, and God's promise to provide for them in the sixth year, as seen in Leviticus 25:21, demonstrates His faithfulness and care for His people, much like His promise to provide for the Israelites in the wilderness, as seen in Exodus 16:4.

What can we learn from the Israelites' question about what they will eat in the seventh year?

We can learn that it is natural to have questions and concerns when faced with uncertainty, but as seen in Psalm 37:3-7, we are to trust in God and His provision, and not rely solely on our own understanding or abilities, and instead, seek to follow His commands and trust in His goodness, as stated in Leviticus 25:18-19.

How does God's command to not sow or gather in the seventh year demonstrate His care for the land?

God's command to not sow or gather in the seventh year, as seen in Leviticus 25:20, demonstrates His care for the land, as it allows the land to rest and replenish itself, much like the Sabbath rest for the Israelites, as commanded in Exodus 20:8-11, showing that God values the well-being of creation and desires for it to be treated with respect and care.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some areas in my life where I am struggling to trust in God's provision, and how can I apply the principles of Leviticus 25:20-22 to those situations?
  2. How can I balance my own efforts and responsibilities with trusting in God's sovereignty and provision, as seen in this verse and in Proverbs 3:5-6?
  3. What are some ways that I can demonstrate my trust in God's provision, even when faced with uncertainty or difficult circumstances, like the Israelites in Leviticus 25:20?
  4. How can I prioritize trusting in God's goodness and care for me, even when I do not fully understand His plan or timing, as seen in Jeremiah 29:11?
  5. What are some practical ways that I can apply the principle of resting and trusting in God's provision, as seen in this verse, to my own life and circumstances?

Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 25:20

And ye shall say, what shall ye eat the seventh year?.... Such as are of little faith, disbelieve the promise, and distrust the providence of God, and take thought for tomorrow, and indulge an

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Leviticus 25:20

Wherefore ye shall do my statutes, and keep my judgments, and do them; and ye shall dwell in the land in safety. No JFB commentary on these verses.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Leviticus 25:20

A like objection, see ,24.

Trapp's Commentary on Leviticus 25:20

Leviticus 25:20 And if ye shall say, What shall we eat the seventh year? behold, we shall not sow, nor gather in our increase:Ver. 20. And if ye shall say.] A clear answer to a carnal objection. Usually God conceals the objection in Scripture, and meets it with an answer, which is an act of grace.

Ellicott's Commentary on Leviticus 25:20

(20) What shall we eat the seventh year ?—The Lawgiver here anticipates an objection on the part of those who are called upon to abstain from cultivating the land in the sabbatical year, and who are overanxious about the provisions of their families. Behold, we shall not sow.—That is, are forbidden to sow. (See Leviticus 25:4.) Nor gather in our increase.—That is, we are even prohibited to gather the spontaneous growths and store them up, and are commanded to leave “the increase” in the field. (See Leviticus 25:7.)

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Leviticus 25:20

Verse 20. What shall we eat the seventh year?] A very natural question, which could only be laid at rest by the sovereign promise in the next verse: I will COMMAND my BLESSING upon you in the sixth year, and it shall bring forth fruit for THREE YEARS. See Clarke on Leviticus 25:2.

Cambridge Bible on Leviticus 25:20

18–22. A hortatory addition, relating to the sabbatical year and interrupting the Jubile regulations. It is thus clearly out of place, and should properly follow Leviticus 25:7. Its tone is that of H, and is in accord with such hortatory passages as Leviticus 18:25 ff., Leviticus 20:22 f., Leviticus 26:3 ff. It may be conjectured that the redactor’s reason for placing it here out of its proper context was to indicate that it applies to the regulations for the Jubile as well as the sabbatical year. The mention of the ninth year (Leviticus 25:22), combined with the words ‘three years’ (Leviticus 25:21), seems to point to the view (see introd. note to ch.) that the Jubile year was really the 50th, not the 49th, and that thus the land on such occasions was to have two years (the seventh and eighth) of rest. On the other hand, Leviticus 25:20 has ‘the seventh year’ (not the seventh and eighth), and Leviticus 25:22 ‘ye shall sow the eighth year’ (not the ninth). It is probable that the redactor, with the object mentioned above, introduced into Leviticus 25:22 mention of the ninth year. So Dillm. who further makes the ‘three years,’ originally meaning the sixth, seventh, and eighth (i.e. the produce of the sixth year was to last abnormally till the harvest time of that sowed in the earlier part of the eighth instead of the seventh year) to have been taken by the redactor to mean seventh, eighth, and ninth, so as to fall in with his view that the Jubile followed, instead of coinciding with, the last year of the cycle of seven sabbatical years.

Whedon's Commentary on Leviticus 25:20

20. What shall we eat the seventh year — This question is kindly anticipated and answered by God, lest the strain upon their faith might be too great if the people were left with no special promise. He knoweth our frame.

Sermons on Leviticus 25:20

SermonDescription
Andrew Bonar The Word Brought Nigh to the Sorrowful by Andrew Bonar Andrew Bonar emphasizes God's compassionate presence in times of sorrow, illustrating how He cares for even the most distressed individuals, like Hagar, and reassures them through
George MacDonald The Cause of Spiritual Stupidity by George MacDonald George MacDonald preaches on the disciples' lack of understanding when Jesus warned them about the leaven of the Pharisees, focusing on their preoccupation with material concerns l
Chuck Smith Bitter Fruit of Disobedience by Chuck Smith This sermon focuses on the story from Jeremiah 42, where a small remnant of people, despite promising to obey God's word, choose to go against His warning and head to Egypt for saf
Keith Green Grumbling and Complaining - Part 2 by Keith Green Keith Green addresses the dangers of grumbling and complaining among Christians, emphasizing that such attitudes reflect a lack of faith and trust in God. He draws parallels betwee
J. Vernon McGee (Exodus) Exodus 16:25-31 by J. Vernon McGee In this sermon, the preacher discusses the significance of manna in the Bible. He starts by explaining that the Sabbath was given to the Israelites before it became a law, and mann
Carter Conlon Weeping Over the Provision of God by Carter Conlon This sermon focuses on the importance of recognizing and cherishing the divine provision of God, as seen in Numbers chapter 11, emphasizing the need to not handle the word of God c
Anton Bosch Remember Lot's Wife by Anton Bosch Anton Bosch preaches about the cautionary tale of Lot's wife, emphasizing the danger of looking back to our past lives and desires after being saved by the Lord. He explores the si

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