Exodus 23:10-13·~1 min

Sabbath Laws

The land may be sown for six years, but in the seventh it must lie fallow. Its rest provides for the poor and leaves what remains for wild animals.

F¹⁰or six years you are to sow your land and gather its produce, ¹¹but in the seventh year you must let it rest and lie fallow, so that the poor among your people may eat from the field and the wild animals may consume what they leave. Do the same with your vineyard and olive grove.

Work must stop on the seventh day so servants, foreigners, and animals may rest and be refreshed. Israel must carefully heed God's words and keep other gods from its speech.

¹²For six days you are to do your work, but on the seventh day you must cease, so that your ox and your donkey may rest and the son of your maidservant may be refreshed, as well as the foreign resident. ¹³Pay close attention to everything I have said to you. You must not invoke the names of other gods; they must not be heard on your lips.

Section summaryThis section extends Sabbath into land, labor, and speech. The land must rest in the seventh year, work must cease on the seventh day for the sake of people and animals, and Israel must guard its lips from the names of other gods.

Role in the chapterIt shifts from judicial and social order to sacred rhythm. The covenant now marks time itself, joining rest, provision, and exclusive devotion to the LORD.