Exodus 23:10-13

"And six years shalt thou sow thy land, and shalt gather in the increase thereof; but the seventh year thou shalt let it rest and lie fallow, that the poor of thy people may eat: and what they leave the beast of the field shall eat. In like manner shalt thou deal with thy vineyard, and with thy oliveyard. Six days shalt thou do thy work, and on the seventh day thou shalt rest; that thine ox and thine ass may have rest, and the son of thy hand-maid, and the sojourner may be refreshed. And in all things that I have said unto you take ye heed: and make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth."

The sabbatical years were introduced here, but there is no evidence that Israel ever paid much attention to them. "The seventy years of Babylonian captivity were partly intended to make up for unkept sabbatical years, 2 Chronicles 36:21."[13] There was somewhat of a social welfare system inherent in the purpose of this legislation. All indentured servants were also intended to be free of duties in such years, and the seventh sabbatical year, the fiftieth, was to be observed as a Jubilee, when all servants were given their freedom.

The commandment not to mention pagan gods was generally observed, and this probably accounts for the changes made by the Jews in certain names containing the name of Baal. "Instead of Baal, the word [~bosheth] (meaning shame) was introduced."[14]

Jerubbaal (Judges 6:32) became Jerubbosheth (2 Samuel 11:21). Eshbaal (1 Chronicles 8:33) became Ishbosheth (2 Samuel 2:8). Meribaal (1 Chronicles 8:34) became Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 4:4).

"Note that the Book of Samuel, which is prophetic in character, avoided the name Baal."[15]