Deuteronomy 5:15

And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and [that] the LORD thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the LORD thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day.

And remember {H2142} that thou wast a servant {H5650} in the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714}, and that the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430} brought {H3318} thee out thence through a mighty {H2389} hand {H3027} and by a stretched out {H5186} arm {H2220}: therefore the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430} commanded {H6680} thee to keep {H6213} the sabbath {H7676} day {H3117}.

You are to remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and ADONAI your God brought you out from there with a strong hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore ADONAI your God has ordered you to keep the day of Shabbat.

Remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and that the LORD your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. That is why the LORD your God has commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.

And thou shalt remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and Jehovah thy God brought thee out thence by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm: therefore Jehovah thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day.

Commentary

Deuteronomy 5:15 provides a profound theological explanation for the command to keep the Sabbath day, grounding it not only in creation (as in Exodus) but significantly in Israel's history of redemption from slavery.

Context

This verse is part of Moses' second recitation of the Ten Commandments to the new generation of Israelites on the plains of Moab, just before they enter the Promised Land. Unlike the first giving at Mount Sinai, here Moses adds explanatory details and motivations. While Exodus 20:11 ties the Sabbath to God's rest after creation, Deuteronomy 5:15 offers a different, complementary reason: the memory of their liberation from Egyptian bondage. This re-contextualization emphasizes the social and compassionate aspects of the Sabbath, ensuring that the liberated people would extend rest and freedom to others.

Key Themes

  • Remembrance of Deliverance: The command to "remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt" is central. The Sabbath becomes a weekly, tangible memorial of God's powerful act of bringing Israel out of slavery. It's a call to never forget their past state of oppression and God's miraculous intervention.
  • God's Redemptive Power: The phrases "through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm" are powerful idioms, frequently used throughout the Pentateuch, signifying God's irresistible power and direct intervention in bringing about their freedom. This highlights God's sovereignty and His active role in their history. See Exodus 6:6 for a similar expression of divine power.
  • Sabbath as a Symbol of Freedom: For a people who had known only relentless labor under Pharaoh, the Sabbath was a revolutionary concept – a day of mandated rest and freedom. It served as a constant reminder that they were no longer slaves, but a people set free by God, and they were to extend this freedom to all within their household, including servants and animals (Deuteronomy 5:14).
  • Divine Command and Authority: The verse concludes by stating, "therefore the LORD thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day." This underscores that the Sabbath is not merely a human tradition or a suggestion, but a divine imperative rooted in God's character as both Creator and Redeemer.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrases "mighty hand" (yad chazaqah) and "stretched out arm" (zeroa netuyah) are iconic expressions of God's omnipotence and decisive action. They convey a sense of overwhelming force and divine authority, particularly associated with the Exodus. The term "servant" (eved) vividly recalls their status as bondservants in Egypt, making the contrast with their new status as God's free people all the more stark.

Practical Application

For believers today, Deuteronomy 5:15 broadens our understanding of rest. It reminds us that our rest, whether on the Sabbath or in a broader sense, is not just about physical recuperation but also about remembering God's redemptive work in our lives. Just as Israel was delivered from physical slavery, we are delivered from the bondage of sin and the burdens of endless striving through Christ. Taking time for rest and worship can be an act of remembering and celebrating our spiritual freedom. It also calls us to extend compassion and opportunities for rest to others, recognizing their inherent dignity and need for respite, echoing the spirit of the rest offered by Christ in Matthew 11:28.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 5:6

    ¶ I [am] the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.

  • Deuteronomy 15:15

    And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt, and the LORD thy God redeemed thee: therefore I command thee this thing to day.

  • Deuteronomy 16:12

    And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in Egypt: and thou shalt observe and do these statutes.

  • Deuteronomy 24:18

    But thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in Egypt, and the LORD thy God redeemed thee thence: therefore I command thee to do this thing.

  • Deuteronomy 24:22

    And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt: therefore I command thee to do this thing.

  • Ephesians 2:11

    ¶ Wherefore remember, that ye [being] in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;

  • Ephesians 2:12

    That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
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