Exodus 23:10-13
New English Translation
Sabbaths and Feasts
10 [a] “For six years[b] you are to sow your land and gather in its produce. 11 But in the seventh year[c] you must let it lie fallow and leave it alone so that the poor of your people may eat, and what they leave any animal in the field[d] may eat; you must do likewise with your vineyard and your olive grove. 12 For six days you are to do your work, but on the seventh day you must cease, in order that your ox and your donkey may rest and that your female servant’s son and the resident foreigner[e] may refresh themselves.[f]
13 “Pay attention to do[g] everything I have told you, and do not even mention[h] the names of other gods—do not let them be heard on your lips.[i]
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Exodus 23:10 sn This section concerns religious duties of the people of God as they worship by giving thanks to God for their blessings. The principles here are: God requires his people to allow the poor to share in their bounty (10-11); God requires his people to provide times of rest and refreshment for those who labor for them (12); God requires allegiance to himself (13); God requires his people to come before him in gratitude and share their bounty (14-17); God requires that his people safeguard proper worship forms (18-19).
- Exodus 23:10 tn Heb “and six years”; this is an adverbial accusative telling how long they can work their land. The following references to years and days in vv. 10-12 function similarly.
- Exodus 23:11 tn Heb “and the seventh year”; an adverbial accusative with a disjunctive vav (ו).
- Exodus 23:11 tn Heb “living thing/creature/beast of the field.” A general term for animals, usually wild animals, including predators (cf. v. 29; Gen 2:19-20; Lev 26:22; Deut 7:22; 1 Sam 17:46; Job 5:22-23; Ezek 29:5; 34:5).
- Exodus 23:12 tn Or “alien.” Several passages emphasize equal standing under Mosaic Law (Exod 12:49; 20:10; Lev 24:22; Num 9:14; 15:15, 16, 29) for the resident foreigner (גֵּר; ger) and the native born Israelite. The foreigners (גֵּר; ger, but not other types of non-Israelites) in Mosaic Law have joined the covenant (Deut 29:10-13) and worship the Lord. Israel was not to make these foreigners do the work which they themselves were not permitted to do on the Sabbath.
- Exodus 23:12 tn The verb is וְיִנָּפֵשׁ (veyinnafesh); it is related to the word usually translated “soul” or “life.”
- Exodus 23:13 tn The phrase “to do” is added; in Hebrew word order the line says, “In all that I have said to you you will watch yourselves.” The verb for paying attention is a Niphal imperfect with an imperatival force.
- Exodus 23:13 tn Or “honor,” Hiphil of זָכַר (zakhar). See also Exod 20:25; Josh 23:7; Isa 26:13.
- Exodus 23:13 tn Heb “mouth.”sn See also Ps 16:4, where David affirms his loyalty to God with this expression.
Exodus 23:10-13
English Standard Version
Laws About the Sabbath and Festivals
10 (A)“For six years you shall sow your land and gather in its yield, 11 but the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow, that the poor of your people may eat; and what they leave the beasts of the field may eat. You shall do likewise with your vineyard, and with your olive orchard.
12 (B)“Six days you shall do your work, but on the seventh day you shall rest; that your ox and your donkey may have rest, and the son of your servant woman, and the alien, may be refreshed.
13 (C)“Pay attention to all that I have said to you, and make no mention of the names of other gods, nor let it be heard on your lips.
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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
