Exodus 20:10

But the seventh day [is] the sabbath of the LORD thy God: [in it] thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that [is] within thy gates:

But the seventh {H7637} day {H3117} is the sabbath {H7676} of the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430}: in it thou shalt not do {H6213} any work {H4399}, thou, nor thy son {H1121}, nor thy daughter {H1323}, thy manservant {H5650}, nor thy maidservant {H519}, nor thy cattle {H929}, nor thy stranger {H1616} that is within thy gates {H8179}:

but the seventh day is a Shabbat for ADONAI your God. On it, you are not to do any kind of work -not you, your son or your daughter, not your male or female slave, not your livestock, and not the for eigner staying with you inside the gates to your property.

but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God, on which you must not do any work—neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant or livestock, nor the foreigner within your gates.

but the seventh day is a sabbath unto Jehovah thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:

Commentary

Exodus 20:10 is a foundational verse within the Ten Commandments, specifically elaborating on the Fourth Commandment regarding the Sabbath day. It defines who is to observe the Sabbath rest and emphasizes its comprehensive nature.

Context

This verse follows the command to "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy" (Exodus 20:8) and the instruction to labor for six days (Exodus 20:9). Exodus 20:10 then clarifies the nature of the seventh day, declaring it as "the sabbath of the LORD thy God." This part of the Mosaic Law given at Mount Sinai established a crucial rhythm for Israelite life, distinguishing them among nations and providing a regular period of cessation from work for all within their society.

Key Themes

  • Divine Ownership of Time: The phrase "the sabbath of the LORD thy God" underscores that this day is not merely a break from work, but a consecrated time belonging to God. It highlights God's sovereignty over all aspects of life, including time itself.
  • Universal Requirement for Rest: The command to "not do any work" extends beyond the individual. It explicitly includes one's "son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates." This demonstrates the inclusivity and compassionate nature of the Sabbath law, ensuring rest for all members of the household, including domestic animals and resident foreigners, preventing exploitation and promoting well-being for all within the community.
  • Cessation from Labor: The core meaning of "Sabbath" (Hebrew: Shabbat, שַׁבָּת) is "cessation" or "rest." This verse defines the Sabbath not just as a day of worship, but fundamentally as a day marked by the absence of ordinary labor, allowing for spiritual focus and physical rejuvenation.

Linguistic Insight

The Hebrew word for "Sabbath," Shabbat (שַׁבָּת), literally means "to cease" or "to rest from labor." It derives from the verb shavat, implying a complete cessation of regular work. This concept is rooted in the creation account where God Himself rested on the seventh day after completing His work of creation.

Significance and Application

Exodus 20:10 is more than a legalistic prohibition; it's an invitation to trust God's provision and to prioritize rest and spiritual renewal. For ancient Israel, it was a sign of their covenant relationship with God and a weekly reminder of His work in creation and deliverance from bondage (as highlighted in Deuteronomy 5:15). In contemporary application, while Christian traditions vary on the specific day or manner of observance, the underlying principles remain vital:

  • The Need for Rest: Recognizing that humans, created in God's image, need regular periods of rest from labor to flourish physically, mentally, and spiritually.
  • Prioritizing God: Setting aside time specifically for worship, reflection, and deepening one's relationship with God.
  • Compassion and Justice: Ensuring that all people, including those under one's authority, have the opportunity for rest and are not perpetually burdened by work. This also extends to caring for animals.

The spirit of the Sabbath encourages a deliberate pause in our busy lives, allowing us to acknowledge God's sovereignty and find true rest in Him, echoing Jesus' words that "The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath."

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 5:14

    But the seventh day [is] the sabbath of the LORD thy God: [in it] thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that [is] within thy gates; that thy manservant and thy maidservant may rest as well as thou.

  • 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.

  • Exodus 34:21

    Six days thou shalt work, but on the seventh day thou shalt rest: in earing time and in harvest thou shalt rest.

  • Numbers 15:32

    And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man that gathered sticks upon the sabbath day.

  • Numbers 15:36

    And all the congregation brought him without the camp, and stoned him with stones, and he died; as the LORD commanded Moses.

  • Exodus 16:27

    And it came to pass, [that] there went out [some] of the people on the seventh day for to gather, and they found none.

  • Exodus 16:28

    And the LORD said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws?
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