Discovery BoxExodus 12:16 
Context12:16 On the first day there will be a holy convocation, 1 and on the seventh day there will be a holy convocation for you. You must do no work of any kind 2 on them, only what every person will eat – that alone may be prepared for you.
Exodus 23:11
Context23:11 But in the seventh year 3 you must let it lie fallow and leave it alone so that the poor of your people may eat, and what they leave any animal in the field 4 may eat; you must do likewise with your vineyard and your olive grove.
1 sn This refers to an assembly of the people at the sanctuary for religious purposes. The word “convocation” implies that the people were called together, and Num 10:2 indicates they were called together by trumpets.
2 tn Heb “all/every work will not be done.” The word refers primarily to the work of one’s occupation. B. Jacob (Exodus, 322) explains that since this comes prior to the fuller description of laws for Sabbaths and festivals, the passage simply restricts all work except for the preparation of food. Once the laws are added, this qualification is no longer needed. Gesenius translates this as “no manner of work shall be done” (GKC 478-79 §152.b).
3 tn Heb “and the seventh year”; an adverbial accusative with a disjunctive vav (ו).
4 tn Heb “living thing/creature/beast of the field.” A general term for animals, usually wild animals, including predators (cf. v. 29; Gen 2:19-20; Lev 26:22; Deut 7:22; 1 Sam 17:46; Job 5:22-23; Ezek 29:5; 34:5).
