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.

It is a sign {H226} between me and the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} for ever {H5769}: for in six {H8337} days {H3117} the LORD {H3068} made {H6213} heaven {H8064} and earth {H776}, and on the seventh {H7637} day {H3117} he rested {H7673}, and was refreshed {H5314}.

It is a sign between me and the people of Isra'el forever; for in six days ADONAI made heaven and earth, but on the seventh day he stopped working and rested.'"

It is a sign between Me and the Israelites forever; for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, but on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.’”

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

Commentary

Exodus 31:17 concludes a passage (verses 12-17) where the Lord reiterates the profound significance of the Sabbath to Moses. This divine instruction comes immediately after God has given elaborate details for the construction of the Tabernacle, emphasizing that even the most sacred work for God should not overshadow the commandment to observe the Sabbath.

Context

The Sabbath commandment, first introduced in the Ten Commandments, is here reinforced as a perpetual "sign" between God and the children of Israel. It serves as a constant reminder of their unique covenant relationship and God's sanctifying power. The verse grounds this weekly observance in the very act of creation, establishing a profound theological link between the weekly rhythm of rest and the cosmic order established by God.

Key Themes

  • The Sabbath as an Eternal Sign: The verse explicitly states the Sabbath is "a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever." This highlights its enduring nature as a distinguishing mark of God's chosen people, reminding them of His sovereignty and their special relationship with Him.
  • Creation as the Basis for Rest: The commandment to observe the Sabbath is rooted in God's own pattern during the creation week. By citing God's six days of work and seventh day of rest, the verse establishes a divine precedent for human rest, demonstrating that rest is not merely a human invention but a divinely ordained rhythm. Genesis 2:2-3 provides the foundational narrative.
  • Divine Rest and Refreshment: God "rested, and was refreshed." This does not imply weariness on God's part, but rather a cessation from His creative work, signifying completion, satisfaction, and delight in His perfect creation. It sets the example for humanity to cease from their labors and find refreshment in Him.

Linguistic Insight

The Hebrew word translated "was refreshed" is naphash (Χ Χ€Χ©). This verb literally means "to take breath" or "to refresh oneself." It conveys a sense of renewed vitality and satisfaction, not exhaustion. When applied to God, it underscores His purposeful cessation from creative work, establishing a divine pattern for human rest and spiritual renewal, characterized by contentment and well-being.

Significance and Application

For ancient Israel, observing the Sabbath was a tangible act of obedience and a public declaration of their covenant relationship with Yahweh. It was a day set apart for ceasing from labor, remembering God's creative power, and focusing on spiritual matters. This sacred rest protected them from the endless toil common in other cultures and reinforced their identity as God's redeemed people.

In a broader sense, the principle of rest remains vital for all believers. While Christians often understand Sabbath observance differently under the New Covenant, recognizing Christ as our ultimate rest (as articulated in Hebrews 4:9), the need for regular periods of rest, worship, and reflection on God's work in our lives is timeless. This verse reminds us that rest is not merely an absence of activity but a divinely ordained rhythm for human flourishing and a testament to God's sovereignty over all creation and time. It invites us to trust God to provide even when we cease from our labors, finding our true refreshment in Him.

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Cross-References

  • Exodus 31:13

    Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it [is] a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that [ye] may know that I [am] the LORD that doth sanctify you.

  • Genesis 1:31

    ΒΆ And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, [it was] very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

  • 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.

  • Genesis 2:3

    And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.

  • Ezekiel 20:12

    Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I [am] the LORD that sanctify them.

  • Hebrews 4:10

    For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God [did] from his.

  • Ezekiel 20:20

    And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I [am] the LORD your God.
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