| 1. Linguistic Exegesis The Hebrew prepositional phrase mikets {מִקֵּ֥ץ | miqqēṣ} ‘at the end’ introduces a temporal setting, followed by the construct chain sheva {שֶֽׁבַע | šebāʿ} ‘seven’ and shanim {שָׁנִים | šānîm} ‘years,’ marking the sabbatical cycle. The verb ta‘ăśēh {תַּעֲשֶׂה | ta‘ăśēh} ‘you shall do’ (Qal imperfect, 2ms) functions as a legal command, while the noun šəmiṭṭāh {שְׁמִטָּה | šəmiṭṭāh} ‘release’ serves as its direct object. The fronting of the temporal clause emphasizes the recurring covenant obligation, and English word order preserves this focus by placing the time phrase first. |