Exodus 31:15

Six days may work be done; but in the seventh [is] the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth [any] work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.

Six {H8337} days {H3117} may work {H4399} be done {H6213}; but in the seventh {H7637} is the sabbath {H7676} of rest {H7677}, holy {H6944} to the LORD {H3068}: whosoever doeth {H6213} any work {H4399} in the sabbath {H7676} day {H3117}, he shall surely {H4191} be put to death {H4191}.

On six days work will get done; but the seventh day is Shabbat, for complete rest, set apart for ADONAI. Whoever does any work on the day of Shabbat must be put to death.

For six days work may be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of complete rest, holy to the LORD. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day must surely be put to death.

Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day is a sabbath of solemn rest, holy to Jehovah: whosoever doeth any work on the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.

Commentary

Exodus 31:15 (KJV) is a powerful declaration concerning the sanctity of the Sabbath day, reiterating its importance within the Mosaic Law given to ancient Israel.

Context

This verse is found within God's detailed instructions to Moses on Mount Sinai, specifically after the giving of the Ten Commandments and preceding the specific commands for building the Tabernacle. The Sabbath, first introduced in the creation account where God rested on the seventh day, was established as a perpetual sign of the covenant between God and the Israelites. The severity of the penalty for Sabbath breakingโ€”"he shall surely be put to death"โ€”underscores its critical role as a distinguishing mark of their relationship with the LORD and a foundational element of their societal and religious order.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Command and Authority: The verse explicitly states God's command regarding work on six days and rest on the seventh, emphasizing His supreme authority over time and human activity.
  • Sanctity of the Sabbath: The phrase "holy to the LORD" highlights the sacredness of the Sabbath. It was not merely a day off, but a day set apart for divine purposes, communion with God, and spiritual rest.
  • Covenant Sign: The Sabbath was a unique sign of the covenant between God and Israel, distinguishing them from other nations and reminding them of God as their Creator and Deliverer. This is further elaborated in Exodus 31:13 and Exodus 31:16-17.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: The death penalty for working on the Sabbath signifies the extreme gravity of violating this command in the Old Covenant. It was considered an act of rebellion against God's direct instruction and a desecration of a holy institution.

Linguistic Insights

The word "sabbath" comes from the Hebrew word Shabbat (ืฉึทืื‘ึธึผืช), which means "to cease" or "to rest." The phrase "sabbath of rest" (shabbaton) further emphasizes this cessation from labor. The term "holy" (qodesh) signifies that the day was "set apart" or consecrated for God's exclusive use and honor.

Practical Application and Reflection

While the literal death penalty for Sabbath breaking is part of the Old Covenant legal system and is not applied under the New Covenant of grace, the underlying principles of Exodus 31:15 remain profoundly relevant. Believers today are called to understand the spirit of the Sabbath:

  • Prioritizing Rest: In a fast-paced world, setting aside intentional time for physical and spiritual rest is crucial for well-being and connection with God.
  • Honoring God's Sovereignty: Recognizing that all time belongs to God and dedicating a portion of it back to Him through worship, reflection, and spiritual nourishment.
  • Fulfillment in Christ: The New Testament teaches that Christ is the Lord of the Sabbath and that the Sabbath principle finds its ultimate rest in Him (Hebrews 4:9-10). The focus shifts from strict legal observance to a spiritual rest found in salvation and obedience to God's will.

This verse serves as a powerful reminder of God's holiness, His commands, and the importance of revering Him in all aspects of life, including how we manage our time and rest.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“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 โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Genesis 2:2

    And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.

  • Exodus 16:23

    And he said unto them, This [is that] which the LORD hath said, To morrow [is] the rest of the holy sabbath unto the LORD: bake [that] which ye will bake [to day], and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning.

  • Leviticus 23:3

    Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day [is] the sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; ye shall do no work [therein]: it [is] the sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings.

  • 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.

  • Exodus 31:17

    It [is] a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for [in] six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.

  • Jeremiah 17:24

    And it shall come to pass, if ye diligently hearken unto me, saith the LORD, to bring in no burden through the gates of this city on the sabbath day, but hallow the sabbath day, to do no work therein;

  • Jeremiah 17:27

    But if ye will not hearken unto me to hallow the sabbath day, and not to bear a burden, even entering in at the gates of Jerusalem on the sabbath day; then will I kindle a fire in the gates thereof, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched.
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