Leviticus 16:31

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

It [shall be] a sabbath of rest unto you, and ye shall afflict your souls, by a statute for ever.

Complete Jewish Bible:

It is a Shabbat of complete rest for you, and you are to deny yourselves. "This is a permanent regulation.

Berean Standard Bible:

It is a Sabbath of complete rest for you, that you may humble yourselves; it is a permanent statute.

American Standard Version:

It is a sabbath of solemn rest unto you, and ye shall afflict your souls; it is a statute for ever.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

It shall be a sabbath^{H7676} of rest^{H7677} unto you, and ye shall afflict^{H6031} your souls^{H5315}, by a statute^{H2708} for ever^{H5769}.

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Commentary for Leviticus 16:31

Leviticus 16:31 is a verse that falls within the context of the instructions given to the Israelites regarding the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), which is the most solemn and significant holy day in the Jewish calendar. This day occurs on the tenth day of the seventh month, Tishri, according to the Hebrew calendar, and is described in detail in Leviticus 16. The verse encapsulates several key themes and practices:

1. **Sabbath of Rest**: The Day of Atonement is designated as a day of complete rest, a sabbath, on which no work is to be done. This emphasizes the sacredness of the day and the need for the community to focus entirely on spiritual matters.

2. **Self-Affliction**: The phrase "afflict your souls" has been traditionally understood to mean that individuals should engage in self-examination, repentance, and fasting. This act of humility and self-denial is meant to purify the soul and reflect a contrite heart before God.

3. **Perpetual Observance**: The verse states that these practices are to be followed "by a statute for ever," indicating that the Day of Atonement is not a one-time event but an ongoing observance for future generations. This underscores the enduring nature of the commandment and its significance throughout the history of the Jewish people.

The historical context of Leviticus 16:31 is rooted in the period after the Exodus when the Israelites were forming their religious and social identity in the wilderness. The laws and rituals given in Leviticus, including those for the Day of Atonement, were part of the covenant between God and Israel, establishing a unique relationship and setting forth the means by which the people could maintain their spiritual purity and reconcile with God.

In summary, Leviticus 16:31 commands the Israelites to observe the Day of Atonement as a day of sacred rest and personal reflection, involving the affliction of the soul through repentance and fasting. This observance is prescribed as a permanent statute, highlighting its importance in the religious life of the nation of Israel. The verse reflects the themes of atonement, purity, and the ongoing commitment to God's covenantal laws.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H7676
   There are 89 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שַׁבָּת
   Transliteration: shabbâth
   Pronunciation: shab-bawth'
   Description: intensive from שָׁבַת; intermission, i.e (specifically) the Sabbath; ([phrase] every) sabbath.
   
2. Strong's Number: H7677
   There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שַׁבָּתוֹן
   Transliteration: shabbâthôwn
   Pronunciation: shab-baw-thone'
   Description: from שַׁבָּת; a sabbatism or special holiday; rest, sabbath.
   
3. Strong's Number: H6031
   There are 80 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָנָה
   Transliteration: ʻânâh
   Pronunciation: aw-naw'
   Description: a primitive root (possibly rather identical with עָנָה through the idea of looking down or browbeating); to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various applications, as follows); abase self, afflict(-ion, self), answer (by mistake for עָנָה), chasten self, deal hardly with, defile, exercise, force, gentleness, humble (self), hurt, ravish, sing (by mistake for עָנָה), speak (by mistake for עָנָה), submit self, weaken, [idiom] in any wise.
   
4. Strong's Number: H5315
   There are 683 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נֶפֶשׁ
   Transliteration: nephesh
   Pronunciation: neh'-fesh
   Description: from נָפַשׁ; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental); any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, [idiom] dead(-ly), desire, [idiom] (dis-) contented, [idiom] fish, ghost, [phrase] greedy, he, heart(-y), (hath, [idiom] jeopardy of) life ([idiom] in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thy-) self, them (your) -selves, [phrase] slay, soul, [phrase] tablet, they, thing, ([idiom] she) will, [idiom] would have it.
   
5. Strong's Number: H2708
   There are 100 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חֻקָּה
   Transliteration: chuqqâh
   Pronunciation: khook-kaw'
   Description: feminine of חֹק, and meaning substantially the same; {an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage)}; appointed, custom, manner, ordinance, site, statute.
   
6. Strong's Number: H5769
   There are 414 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עוֹלָם
   Transliteration: ʻôwlâm
   Pronunciation: o-lawm'
   Description: or עֹלָם; from עָלַם; properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e. (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial (especially with prepositional prefix) always; alway(-s), ancient (time), any more, continuance, eternal, (for, (n-)) ever(-lasting, -more, of old), lasting, long (time), (of) old (time), perpetual, at any time, (beginning of the) world ([phrase] without end). Compare נֶצַח, עַד.