◄ 8059. shemittah ►
Strong's Lexicon shemittah: Release, remission, sabbatical year Original Word: שְׁמִטָּה Part of Speech: Noun Feminine Transliteration: shmittah Pronunciation: shem-ee-tah Phonetic Spelling: (shem-it-taw') Definition: remission, suspension of labor) Meaning: The term "shemittah" refers to the concept of "remission" or "suspension of labor," specifically in the context of the sabbatical year, during which the land is to lie fallow, and debts are to be forgiven. Word Origin: Derived from the root שָׁמַט (shamat), meaning "to let drop" or "to release." Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: There is no direct Greek equivalent for the Hebrew concept of "shemittah" in the Strong's Greek lexicon, as it is a uniquely Hebrew practice rooted in the Mosaic Law. However, the broader themes of release and forgiveness can be seen in Greek terms related to forgiveness and release, such as ἄφεσις (aphesis • Strong's Greek 859), which means "release" or "forgiveness." Usage: The word "shemittah" is used in the context of the sabbatical year, a practice commanded in the Torah where every seventh year, agricultural lands in Israel were to be left uncultivated, and debts were to be released. This practice is a demonstration of trust in God's provision and a reminder of the Israelites' dependence on Him. Context: The concept of "shemittah" is rooted in the Mosaic Law, as outlined in the Torah. It is primarily discussed in the book of Deuteronomy and Leviticus. The shemittah year, or sabbatical year, is a time of rest for the land, as commanded in 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." This practice serves multiple purposes: it allows the land to rejuvenate, prevents exploitation of the soil, and promotes social equity by forgiving debts, as stated in Deuteronomy 15:1-2: "At the end of every seven years you must cancel debts. This is how it is to be done: Every creditor shall cancel the loan he has made to his fellow Israelite. He shall not require payment from his fellow Israelite or brother, because the LORD’s time for canceling debts has been proclaimed." The shemittah year is a profound expression of faith, acknowledging God's sovereignty over the land and His provision for His people. It also serves as a precursor to the Jubilee year, which occurs every 50th year, further emphasizing themes of liberation and restoration. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin from shamat Definition a letting drop, a (temporary) remitting NASB Translation remission (5). Brown-Driver-Briggs שְׁמִטָּה noun feminine a letting drop of exactions, a (temporary) remitting: ׳תַּעֲשֶׂה שׁ Deuteronomy 15:1(at end of seven years), Deuteronomy 15:2 ׳לי ׳כִּי קָרָא שׁ; whence seventh year is ׳שְׁנַת הַשּׁ Deuteronomy 15:9; Deuteronomy 31:10. שְׁמִירָמוֺת see below שֵׁם. p. 1029. Strong's Exhaustive Concordance release From shamat; remission (of debt) or suspension of labor) -- release. see HEBREW shamat Forms and Transliterations הַשְּׁמִטָּ֖ה הַשְּׁמִטָּה֒ השמטה שְׁמִטָּ֖ה שְׁמִטָּֽה׃ שמטה שמטה׃ haš·šə·miṭ·ṭāh hashshemitTah haššəmiṭṭāh šə·miṭ·ṭāh šəmiṭṭāh shemitTah Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts Englishman's Concordance Deuteronomy 15:1 HEB: שָׁנִ֖ים תַּעֲשֶׂ֥ה שְׁמִטָּֽה׃ NAS: you shall grant a remission [of debts]. KJV: years thou shalt make a release. INT: years shall grant A remission Deuteronomy 15:2 HEB: וְזֶה֮ דְּבַ֣ר הַשְּׁמִטָּה֒ שָׁמ֗וֹט כָּל־ NAS: is the manner of remission: every KJV: And this [is] the manner of the release: Every creditor INT: This is the manner of remission shall release every Deuteronomy 15:2 HEB: כִּֽי־ קָרָ֥א שְׁמִטָּ֖ה לַֽיהוָֽה׃ NAS: the LORD'S remission has been proclaimed. KJV: the LORD'S release. INT: because has been proclaimed remission the LORD'S Deuteronomy 15:9 HEB: הַשֶּׁבַע֮ שְׁנַ֣ת הַשְּׁמִטָּה֒ וְרָעָ֣ה עֵֽינְךָ֗ NAS: the year of remission, is near,' KJV: the year of release, is at hand; INT: the seventh the year of remission is hostile eye Deuteronomy 31:10 HEB: בְּמֹעֵ֛ד שְׁנַ֥ת הַשְּׁמִטָּ֖ה בְּחַ֥ג הַסֻּכּֽוֹת׃ NAS: of the year of remission of debts, at the Feast KJV: of the year of release, in the feast INT: the time of the year of remission the Feast of Booths 5 Occurrences Strong's Hebrew 8059 5 Occurrences haš·šə·miṭ·ṭāh — 3 Occ. šə·miṭ·ṭāh — 2 Occ.