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Fallow

Nature

What is the meaning of Fallow in the Bible?

Fallow refers to the agricultural practice of leaving cultivated land uncultivated for a specific period, typically a year, to allow the soil to recover its fertility. In biblical contexts, this practice is associated with the Sabbath year commandment found in the Torah, where the land was required to rest every seventh year.

SIGNIFICANCE

Understanding fallow land clarifies the agricultural realities behind biblical commands regarding the Sabbath year, illustrating how ancient Israelite society integrated ecological sustainability with religious observance to maintain long-term food security.

Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide

Physical & Symbolic Reality: Physical objects and natural elements like Fallow were everyday realities for biblical writers, frequently used as living metaphors for spiritual truths.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
  • Why did the biblical author mention Fallow in this passage?
  • What cultural or historical assumption does Fallow clarify?

Source Attribution

Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.

How to Cite This Entry

"Fallow." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/fallow/
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