Deuteronomy 5:15

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 5:15 offers a profound theological rationale for the Sabbath command, rooting its observance not only in God's completed work of creation but also, distinctively, in Israel's historical experience of divine redemption from Egyptian bondage. This verse transforms the Sabbath into a weekly, tangible memorial of God's powerful liberation, compelling Israel to remember their past oppression and to extend the gift of rest and freedom to all within their household, reflecting God's compassionate character as both Creator and Redeemer.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 5:15 is situated within Moses' second recitation of the Ten Commandments to the new generation of Israelites assembled on the plains of Moab, poised to enter the Promised Land. Unlike the initial giving of the Law at Mount Sinai (recorded in [Exodus 20](/exodus/20 "Exodus 20 - The Ten Commandments")), Moses here provides extended explanations and motivations for each commandment. This re-presentation of the covenant is didactic, designed to impress upon a generation that did not witness the Exodus firsthand the profound significance and implications of God's foundational laws. While [Exodus 20:11](/exodus/20-11 "Exodus 20:11 - Sabbath and Creation") grounds the Sabbath in God's rest after creation, Deuteronomy 5:15 offers a complementary, redemptive basis, thereby broadening the theological understanding and practical application of the fourth commandment. This dual foundation underscores the comprehensive nature of God's authority and grace, encompassing both His role as Creator and His identity as Redeemer.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites addressed in Deuteronomy 5 are the descendants of those who escaped Egyptian slavery. Their collective memory was shaped by generations of forced labor, relentless toil, and the absence of rest under Pharaoh's oppressive regime. In this context, the Sabbath—a divinely mandated day of cessation from labor—was a revolutionary concept, symbolizing their new status as a free people, delivered by God's miraculous intervention. The phrases "mighty hand" and "stretched out arm" are iconic idioms frequently used throughout the Pentateuch (e.g., [Exodus 6:6](/exodus/6-6 "Exodus 6:6 - God's Mighty Hand in Deliverance")) to describe God's irresistible power and decisive action in bringing about the Exodus. This historical experience of liberation from a land of bondage deeply informs the ethical and social dimensions of the Sabbath, urging Israel to remember their own past and to extend compassion and rest to others, including servants and sojourners, who might otherwise experience a form of oppression.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Deuteronomy and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Remembrance** (`זָכַר`, _zakhar_), urging Israel to actively recall and internalize their history of divine deliverance, ensuring that the lessons of the Exodus are never forgotten and continually shape their identity. Secondly, it highlights **God's Redemptive Power**, emphasizing His active and sovereign role in liberating His people from oppression, establishing Him as the ultimate Deliverer. The Sabbath, therefore, becomes a weekly celebration of this liberation, a tangible sign of God's ongoing faithfulness. Thirdly, the verse develops the theme of **Sabbath as a Symbol of Freedom and Social Justice**. For a people who knew only slavery, the Sabbath was a tangible expression of their new freedom in God, and it mandated that this freedom, particularly the right to rest, be extended to all members of their household, including those who were not ethnically Israelite (as seen in [Deuteronomy 5:14](/deuteronomy/5-14 "Deuteronomy 5:14 - Sabbath for All in the Household")). Finally, it reinforces the theme of **Divine Command and Authority**, asserting that the Sabbath is not merely a human tradition but a direct imperative from "the LORD thy God" ([Deuteronomy 5:15](/deuteronomy/5-15 "Deuteronomy 5:15 - The Lord's Command")), rooted in His character as both Creator and Redeemer, demanding obedience based on His gracious acts.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Remember (Hebrew, _zâkar_):** This word (H2142) signifies more than mere mental recall; it implies an active, intentional engagement with the past, often leading to a re-enactment or a shaping of present behavior. For Israel, "remembering" their slavery and God's deliverance meant living as a liberated people and extending that liberation to others. It is a call to embody the lessons of history, ensuring that the past informs and transforms present actions and communal ethics.
* **Servant (Hebrew, _ʻebed_):** This term (H5650) starkly defines Israel's former status in Egypt as bondservants or slaves. The contrast between this state of involuntary servitude and their new status as a people set free by God underscores the profound nature of their redemption. The Sabbath, as a day of mandated cessation from labor, directly counteracts the relentless toil of their past as _ʻebed_, marking a fundamental shift in their identity and relationship with work and rest.
* **Hand (Hebrew, _yâd_):** This word (H3027), often paired with "arm" in the idiom "mighty hand and stretched out arm," is a primitive word referring to the open hand, indicating power, means, and direction. In this context, it is a powerful metonymy for God's active power and intervention. Coupled with "mighty" (H2389, _châzâq_) and "stretched out arm" (H2220, _zᵉrôwaʻ_ from H5186, _nâṭâh_), it evokes the irresistible, overwhelming force and direct, decisive action of God in delivering Israel from Egypt.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt,"**: This clause establishes the foundational historical memory for the Sabbath command. It directly links the people's present freedom to their past oppression, urging them to never forget their former state of bondage and the suffering associated with it. This remembrance is crucial for understanding the grace of their liberation and for fostering empathy towards others who may be oppressed.
* **"and [that] the LORD thy God brought thee out thence"**: This identifies the agent of their liberation: "the LORD thy God." It emphasizes divine initiative and power, making it clear that their freedom was a miraculous act of God, not a result of their own efforts or a mere historical accident. This highlights God's covenantal faithfulness and His active, sovereign involvement in their history, establishing His authority to command.
* **"through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm:"**: This phrase describes the irresistible nature and overwhelming power of God's deliverance. It conjures images of the dramatic, supernatural events of the Exodus, underscoring the divine omnipotence that broke Pharaoh's grip and brought Israel out of slavery with undeniable force and authority. It serves as a powerful reminder that their freedom was a gift, not an achievement.
* **"therefore the LORD thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day."**: This concluding clause provides the direct causal link between God's redemptive act and the Sabbath commandment. Because God delivered them from slavery with such power and grace, He commands them to observe a day of rest. The Sabbath thus becomes a weekly memorial of their freedom, a reminder of God's power, and an ethical imperative to extend rest and compassion to others, mirroring God's own gracious character and establishing a pattern for a just society.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 5:15 employs several potent **literary devices** to convey its message. The phrase "through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm" is a classic example of **parallelism**, where two phrases convey a similar idea using different but complementary imagery, intensifying the sense of God's overwhelming power and decisive action. This is also a form of **metonymy**, where "hand" and "arm" stand in for God's active power and intervention, allowing the reader to visualize the divine force. The structure of the verse itself demonstrates clear **causality**, explicitly stating that *because* God delivered Israel with such power and grace, *therefore* He commanded the Sabbath. This logical connection underscores the ethical and theological foundation of the command, making it a response to divine favor rather than a mere legalistic obligation. Furthermore, the **repetition** of "the LORD thy God" emphasizes the personal and covenantal relationship between God and Israel, highlighting the divine authority and intimate concern behind the commandment. Finally, the Sabbath itself functions as a powerful **symbolism**, representing not just physical rest but also spiritual freedom, God's redemptive work, and a commitment to justice and compassion for all within the community, extending the grace of rest to the vulnerable.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 5:15 profoundly enriches our understanding of the Sabbath by grounding it in God's redemptive history, not solely in creation. This dual foundation—creation and redemption—reveals God as both the sovereign Creator who orders the cosmos and the compassionate Redeemer who liberates His people from oppression. The Sabbath, therefore, becomes a weekly act of remembering God's power to deliver and His desire for humanity's flourishing, extending beyond mere physical rest to encompass social justice and spiritual freedom. It transforms the law from a burden into a gracious gift, a perpetual reminder of God's liberating love and a call for His people to reflect that love in their interactions with others. This verse teaches that true rest is found in acknowledging God's completed work, both in creation and in salvation, and living in light of that divine accomplishment.

* [Exodus 20:8-11](/exodus/20-8-11 "Exodus 20:8-11 - Sabbath and Creation")
* [Leviticus 25:38-43](/leviticus/25-38-43 "Leviticus 25:38-43 - God as Redeemer, No Permanent Slavery")
* [Deuteronomy 15:15](/deuteronomy/15-15 "Deuteronomy 15:15 - Remember Slavery in Laws of Release")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 5:15 invites contemporary believers to consider the deeper meaning of rest in their lives. Our rest, whether on a designated Sabbath or in moments of spiritual respite, should be an intentional act of remembering God's profound redemptive work. Just as Israel was delivered from the physical bondage of Egypt, we have been delivered from the spiritual bondage of sin, striving, and endless performance by God's "mighty hand and stretched out arm" through Christ. This verse challenges us to view rest not as a luxury or a mere cessation of activity, but as a sacred practice that celebrates our freedom in God, acknowledges His sovereignty, and reorients our priorities away from worldly anxieties and towards divine grace. Furthermore, it calls us to extend this compassion and opportunity for rest to others, recognizing the inherent dignity of every individual and advocating for justice and respite for those who are burdened, reflecting the very heart of our liberating God in a world still marked by various forms of oppression and relentless toil.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does remembering God's redemptive work in your life transform your understanding and practice of rest?**
* **In what ways might you be experiencing a form of "slavery" (e.g., to work, anxiety, social pressures) from which God desires to bring you into rest?**
* **How can you intentionally extend the gift of rest and compassion to others in your sphere of influence, echoing God's character as a liberator?**
* **What does it mean to truly celebrate your spiritual freedom in Christ through practices of rest and worship, and how does this impact your daily life?**

### FAQ
**Why does Deuteronomy 5:15 give a different reason for keeping the Sabbath than Exodus 20:11?**

Answer: The reasons provided in [Deuteronomy 5:15](/deuteronomy/5-15 "Deuteronomy 5:15 - Sabbath and Redemption") and [Exodus 20:11](/exodus/20-11 "Exodus 20:11 - Sabbath and Creation") are not contradictory but complementary. Exodus grounds the Sabbath in God's creation, emphasizing His cosmic sovereignty and the pattern of rest He established after His six days of work. Deuteronomy, spoken to a new generation on the cusp of entering the Promised Land, adds a redemptive dimension, linking the Sabbath to Israel's liberation from slavery in Egypt. This dual rationale highlights God's character as both Creator and Redeemer. It means the Sabbath is a reminder of God's universal dominion over all things and His particular, gracious act of delivering His people from bondage, thereby infusing the command with both theological depth and ethical urgency. It underscores that the Sabbath is for all humanity (as part of creation) and specifically for Israel (as a redeemed people), calling them to extend the grace of rest to others.

**What is the significance of the phrase "mighty hand and stretched out arm"?**

Answer: The phrase "mighty hand and stretched out arm" (Hebrew: _yad chazaqah uzeroa' netuyah_) is a powerful, recurring idiom throughout the Pentateuch, particularly associated with the Exodus event. It signifies God's irresistible power, overwhelming force, and direct, decisive intervention in human history. It describes a display of divine omnipotence that no earthly power can withstand. In the context of [Deuteronomy 5:15](/deuteronomy/5-15 "Deuteronomy 5:15 - God's Mighty Hand"), it serves as a vivid reminder that Israel's liberation from the formidable power of Pharaoh and Egypt was not by their own strength or cunning, but solely by the miraculous and sovereign power of God. This phrase emphasizes God's faithfulness to His covenant promises and His ability to deliver His people from any form of oppression, establishing Him as the ultimate and invincible Deliverer.

**How does this verse relate to social justice?**

Answer: Deuteronomy 5:15 has profound implications for social justice. By explicitly linking the Sabbath command to Israel's experience as "servants in the land of Egypt," it mandates that the liberated people remember their past oppression and extend the freedom and rest they received from God to all within their community. This includes servants, sojourners, and even animals, as stated in [Deuteronomy 5:14](/deuteronomy/5-14 "Deuteronomy 5:14 - Sabbath for All"). The Sabbath thus becomes a weekly reminder that no one should be subjected to endless toil or exploitation. It instills empathy for the oppressed and calls for a society where the inherent dignity of every individual, regardless of status, is recognized through the provision of rest and freedom. It challenges systems that perpetuate injustice and reminds God's people to be agents of His liberating compassion in the world, ensuring that the blessings of freedom and rest are shared equitably.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 5:15, with its emphasis on the Sabbath as a memorial of liberation from slavery by God's "mighty hand and stretched out arm," finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Just as Israel was delivered from physical bondage, humanity is delivered from the spiritual slavery of sin and death through Christ's redemptive work. He is the true "mighty hand" of God, whose crucifixion and resurrection constitute the ultimate act of divine power, breaking the chains of sin and bringing us into a new realm of freedom. Jesus declared Himself "Lord even of the Sabbath day" ([Matthew 12:8](/matthew/12-8 "Matthew 12:8 - Jesus, Lord of the Sabbath")), not to abolish it, but to reveal its true meaning: a rest found in Him. He invites all who are weary and burdened to "come to me, and I will give you rest" ([Matthew 11:28](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28 - Come to Me, all who labor")). The Sabbath, therefore, foreshadows the spiritual rest that remains for the people of God in Christ ([Hebrews 4:9-10](/hebrews/4-9-10 "Hebrews 4:9-10 - A Sabbath Rest Remains")), a rest from striving under the law and from the futility of self-salvation. Our weekly observance of rest, whether on a specific day or in a broader sense of ceasing from our own works, becomes a celebration of the completed work of Christ, who has set us free from the ultimate bondage, allowing us to live in the glorious liberty of the children of God ([Galatians 5:1](/galatians/5-1 "Galatians 5:1 - Freedom in Christ")). In Him, the memory of past slavery gives way to the present reality of eternal freedom and rest, a foretaste of the perfect rest in God's eternal kingdom.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI 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: