but the seventh yeare] That yeare was the remission of debts, Deut. 15. vers. 1. &9. and the manumission, or freedome of Hebrew servants; and at the beginning of the Sabbaticall yeare, (which was the seventh yeare) was the Law to be read, in the feast of Tabernacles, Deuteronomy 31:10. and the Land was then to rest; whereof see the next Note. This Sabbaticall yeare began not with the moneth Nisan, or March, (whence the sacred yeare was accounted) because so they should lose the harvest of two yeares: but it began with the moneth Tizri, that is, September, from whence the civill yeare (after the manner of the Egyptians and other Nations) was accounted, so did they account their Jubile in the seventh moneth, Leviticus 25:9. let it rest] Untilled, or unmanured, both for sowing, and reaping, which were forbidden that yeare, Leviticus 25:4. partly for sparing of the Land, that it might afterwards yeeld the better increase; but especially that what the land yeelded (of it selfe) might be for the exercise of their confidence in the divine providence, without their owne paines; and for provisions for a charitable supply, first to the poore, and after them to the beasts of the field; for the providence of God maketh provision for man and beast: yet the owner of the land or garden, might every day (which was not a festivall) take such things, and so much as was necessary for himselfe and his servants, Leviticus 25:6. so that nothing were hoarded up, whereby the provision for the poore might be diminished. If any feared he should be a loser by such a cessation, or resting of the land, or doubted how he should be provided for, if the earth were not exercised for the yearely increase; God passed his word for a supply in the sixth yeare, Levit. 25. 5: 20, 21. Olive yard] Or, Olive trees.