John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 4. But in the seventh year shall be a sabbath of rest unto the land , etc.] From all tillage of it, from planting and cultivating any sort of trees in it; and even from digging pits, ditches; and caves, as say the Jewish writers f858 : and this was typical of that rest which believers enter into under the Gospel dispensation, and of the rest in the new Jerusalem state, and especially in the ultimate glory; not only from the labours of the body, but of the mind, through sin, Satan, doubts and fears, and through conflicts with various enemies, and when even all spiritual labours and services will be at an end but that of praise: a sabbath for the Lord ; for his honour and glory, to ascertain his property in the land, to show the power of his providence, and display his goodness in his care of all creatures, without any means used by them: thou shalt neither sow thy field nor prune thy vineyard ; under which are comprehended all acts of agriculture, which respect the cultivation of vines, olives, figs, and, according to the Misnah f859 , there were some instruments which it was not lawful to sell to an artificer in the seventh year, such as a plough, with all belonging to it, a yoke, a fan, a spade, but he may sell him a scythe, or a sickle, or a cart, and all its instruments; and which the commentators interpret of one that is suspected of working in that year; the house of Shammai say, an heifer that ploughed might not be sold that year.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-7 - All labour was to cease in the seventh year, as much as daily labour of the seventh day. These statues tell us to beware of covetousness, for man's life consists not in the abundance of his possessions. We are to exercise willing dependence on God's providence for our support; to consider ourselves the Lord's tenants or stewards, and to use ou possessions accordingly. This year of rest typified the spiritual res which all believers enter into through Christ. Through Him we are ease of the burden of wordly care and labour, both being sanctified an sweetened to us; and we are enabled and encouraged to live by faith.
Original Hebrew ובשׁנה8141 השׁביעת7637 שׁבת7676 שׁבתון7677 יהיה1961 לארץ776 שׁבת7676 ליהוה3068 שׂדך7704 לא3808 תזרע2232 וכרמך3754 לא3808 תזמר׃2168
