Fallow (ground)

See also Plow

Exodus 23:11 discusses the law of the sabbatical year, prescribing one year of rest every seven years for cultivated soil. Here, the verb נָטַשׁ, H5759, “leave, forsake,” is tr. “lie fallow.” Such a custom was practiced by other nations as well. Evidently Israel failed to obey this dictum during much of its history (Lev 26:34, 35).