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
Legacy Standard Bible
Judgments About Work and Rest
10 “(A)Now you shall sow your land for six years and gather in its produce, 11 but on the seventh year you shall let it [a]rest and lie fallow, so that the needy of your people may eat; and whatever they leave the beast of the field may eat. Thus you shall do with your vineyard and your olive grove.
12 “(B)Six days you are to do your work, but on the seventh day you shall [b]rest so that your ox and your donkey may [c]rest, and the son of your maidservant, as well as your sojourner, may refresh themselves. 13 Now (C)concerning everything which I have said to you, beware; and (D)do not mention the name of other gods, nor let them be heard [d]from your mouth.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Exodus 23:11 Lit drop
- Exodus 23:12 Related to sabbath, cf. Gen 2:2
- Exodus 23:12 Related to Noah, cf. Gen 2:15; 5:29
- Exodus 23:13 Lit on
NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.
Legacy Standard Bible Copyright ©2021 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org For Permission to Quote Information visit https://www.LSBible.org.