King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I [am] the LORD.
Complete Jewish Bible:
"'Keep my Shabbats, and revere my sanctuary; I am ADONAI.
Berean Standard Bible:
You must keep My Sabbaths and have reverence for My sanctuary. I am the LORD.
American Standard Version:
Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am Jehovah.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Ye shall keep{H8104} my sabbaths{H7676}, and reverence{H3372} my sanctuary{H4720}: I am the LORD{H3068}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Leviticus 19:30
- ¶ Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I [am] the LORD.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Leviticus 26:2
Leviticus 26:2, "Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I [am] the LORD," is a part of the Holiness Code found within the book of Leviticus, which is the third book of the Pentateuch in the Hebrew Bible. The verse is a commandment given by God to the Israelites through Moses, emphasizing two key religious obligations: the observance of the Sabbath and the veneration of the sanctuary.
The Sabbath, the seventh day of the week, is a day of rest and worship, a concept rooted in the Creation narrative where God rested on the seventh day (Genesis 2:2-3). In the context of Leviticus, the Sabbath is a sign of the covenant between God and Israel (Exodus 31:13-17), a day set apart for holy purposes, and a recurring reminder of God's sovereignty and the importance of aligning one's life with divine rhythms.
The sanctuary, or the Tabernacle at this point in Israel's history, was the central place of worship where God's presence was believed to dwell among His people. It was the locus of priestly duties, sacrifices, and other forms of worship. Revering the sanctuary meant maintaining its sanctity, following the prescribed rituals, and approaching it with the utmost respect, recognizing it as a place where heaven and earth met.
The declaration "I [am] the LORD" reinforces the authority behind these commands. It is a reiteration of God's identity as YHWH (often transliterated as "LORD" in English Bibles), the one true God who delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt and entered into a covenant relationship with them. This statement serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty, His role as the lawgiver, and the expectation that His people live according to His statutes.
In its historical context, this verse functioned to instruct a newly formed nation on the religious and ethical life that would distinguish them as God's chosen people. It was a guide for maintaining their unique identity amidst surrounding polytheistic cultures and a means of ensuring that their society was ordered around the worship and laws of YHWH. The themes of Sabbath observance and sanctuary reverence are thus deeply intertwined with the concepts of covenant faithfulness, divine presence, and the holistic integration of worship into the daily life of the ancient Israelites.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H8104
There are 440 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁמַר
Transliteration: shâmar
Pronunciation: shaw-mar'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.; beward, be circumspect, take heed (to self), keep(-er, self), mark, look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save (self), sure, (that lay) wait (for), watch(-man). - 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. - Strong's Number: H3372
There are 305 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָרֵא
Transliteration: yârêʼ
Pronunciation: yaw-ray'
Description: a primitive root; to fear; morally, to revere; caus. to frighten; affright, be (make) afraid, dread(-ful), (put in) fear(-ful, -fully, -ing), (be had in) reverence(-end), [idiom] see, terrible (act, -ness, thing). - Strong's Number: H4720
There are 71 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִקְדָּשׁ
Transliteration: miqdâsh
Pronunciation: mik-dawsh'
Description: or מִקְּדָשׁ; (Exodus 15:17), from קָדַשׁ; a consecrated thing or place, especially, a palace, sanctuary (whether of Jehovah or of idols) or asylum; chapel, hallowed part, holy place, sanctuary. - Strong's Number: H3068
There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְהֹוָה
Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.