Exodus 34:21

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Six {H8337} days {H3117} thou shalt work {H5647}, but on the seventh {H7637} day {H3117} thou shalt rest {H7673}: in earing time {H2758} and in harvest {H7105} thou shalt rest {H7673}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Six days you will work, but on the seventh day you are to rest - even in plowing time and harvest season you are to rest.

Berean Standard Bible

Six days you shall labor, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even in the seasons of plowing and harvesting, you must rest.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 34:21 profoundly reaffirms the divine command for Sabbath rest, underscoring its absolute and non-negotiable nature, even when faced with the most pressing and economically vital agricultural demands. This seemingly counter-intuitive directive served as a foundational lesson for Israel, calling them to a radical prioritization of obedience and trust in God's unfailing provision over their own diligent labor and perceived necessities. It is a powerful testament to the Lord's sovereignty and His desire for His people to find their ultimate security and well-being in Him alone.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a pivotal section of Exodus (chapters 32-34) detailing the renewal of God's covenant with Israel following the catastrophic sin of the golden calf. Moses has ascended Mount Sinai a second time to receive new tablets of the Law, replacing those he shattered in righteous anger. The commands reiterated and expanded upon in this chapter, often referred to as the "Ritual Decalogue" (Exodus 34:11-26), emphasize Israel's unique relationship with Yahweh and outline foundational principles for their worship and communal life. The Sabbath commandment, initially given as part of the Ten Commandments in [Exodus 20:8-11](/exodus/20-8 "Exodus 20:8-11 - The Fourth Commandment"), is here specifically highlighted with an extreme example ("in earing time and in harvest"), underscoring its paramount importance and the unwavering nature of God's expectations for His covenant people.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Israel was an agrarian society, deeply dependent on the cycles of nature for its sustenance and prosperity. "Earing time" refers to the season of plowing and sowing, typically in late autumn or early winter, a period of intense labor crucial for preparing the ground for crops. "Harvest" refers to the reaping of grains, usually in late spring or early summer, another period of frantic, time-sensitive activity where every day counted to secure the yield before spoilage or adverse weather. In such a context, to command a complete cessation of work during these peak, make-or-break seasons was an extraordinary and counter-cultural directive. It directly challenged the prevailing human impulse to maximize output and secure survival through ceaseless toil, instead requiring a profound act of faith that God would supernaturally provide for their needs even with a "lost" day of crucial labor. This command served as a tangible, recurring test of Israel's trust in God's sovereignty and their willingness to prioritize divine obedience over perceived economic necessity.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Work (Hebrew, _'avad'_):** This verb signifies to labor, to serve, to toil, or to cultivate. In the context of "six days thou shalt work," it establishes the divine mandate for human industry and productivity, reflecting God's own creative work and humanity's role as stewards of creation. It implies purposeful, diligent engagement in one's calling or livelihood.
* **Rest (Hebrew, _shabath'_):** From this root word, the term "Sabbath" is derived. It means "to cease," "to desist," or "to stop." It is not merely passive inactivity but a deliberate cessation from one's regular labor or activity, a holy pause. The command to "rest" on the seventh day implies a complete cessation of the kind of work performed during the six days, allowing for physical rejuvenation, spiritual reflection, and renewed focus on God.
* **Earing Time (Old English, _erian'_ & Hebrew, _ḥārîš_ for plowing):** While "earing" is an archaic English term meaning "plowing" or "tilling," it refers to the crucial agricultural period of preparing the soil and sowing seeds. This was foundational work, directly impacting the success of the entire growing season. The Hebrew term often associated with this period, `ḥārîš`, emphasizes the intense, physically demanding nature of breaking ground.
* **Harvest (Hebrew, _qatsîr'_):** This term refers to the season of reaping and gathering crops. It was a time of immense pressure and urgency, as the gathered produce needed to be secured quickly to prevent spoilage or loss. These two periods, "earing time" and "harvest," represent the absolute peaks of agricultural labor, making the command to rest during them particularly striking and demanding.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Six days thou shalt work":** This initial clause establishes the fundamental rhythm of life and the divine expectation for human labor. It affirms the value and necessity of diligent work as part of God's created order, providing a framework for productivity and contribution to society.
* **"but on the seventh day thou shalt rest":** This is the core commandment, introducing the principle of the Sabbath. It mandates a complete cessation from the work of the previous six days, setting aside a specific day for holy rest, rejuvenation, and spiritual devotion. This command is a divine gift, designed for human flourishing.
* **"in earing time and in harvest thou shalt rest":** This crucial addition emphasizes the absolute and unconditional nature of the Sabbath command. By specifically mentioning the two most demanding and economically vital periods of the agricultural year, God underscores that the requirement to rest transcends all perceived human necessity or worldly urgency. It is a radical call to prioritize obedience and trust in God's provision above all earthly concerns, demonstrating that God's blessing is not contingent on ceaseless human toil.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 34:21 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. **Repetition** is evident in the double command, "thou shalt rest," which strongly emphasizes the non-negotiable nature of the Sabbath. This repetition creates a rhythmic cadence that reinforces the consistent and unwavering divine expectation. The verse also utilizes **Juxtaposition** by placing the command to "work" for six days directly against the command to "rest" on the seventh, highlighting the divinely ordained rhythm of life. Furthermore, the explicit inclusion of "in earing time and in harvest" serves as a form of **Hyperbole** or extreme example, powerfully emphasizing the absolute nature of the Sabbath command. By demanding rest even during these most critical and urgent agricultural periods, the text uses an exaggerated scenario to stress that no circumstance, however dire, can override God's decree. This also functions as a form of **Covenant Language**, characteristic of the stipulations given to Israel, where direct, imperative commands define their relationship with Yahweh.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 34:21 profoundly reiterates the sanctity of the Sabbath rest, not merely as a legalistic observance, but as a deeply theological statement about God's character and His relationship with humanity. It is rooted in God's own pattern of resting after creation, establishing a divine rhythm for human life that prioritizes spiritual renewal and trust over relentless toil. The command to rest even during the most economically critical agricultural seasons—earing time and harvest—serves as a radical test of faith, compelling Israel to acknowledge God's ultimate sovereignty as their provider. The Sabbath thus functions as a distinguishing sign of the covenant, a weekly declaration of Israel's allegiance to Yahweh and their dependence on His sustaining power, demonstrating that true security comes from divine provision, not human effort.

* [Genesis 2:2-3](/genesis/2-2 "Genesis 2:2-3 - God's Rest After Creation")
* [Exodus 20:8-11](/exodus/20-8 "Exodus 20:8-11 - The Fourth Commandment")
* [Deuteronomy 5:12-15](/deuteronomy/5-12 "Deuteronomy 5:12-15 - Sabbath as Memorial of Deliverance")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 34:21 offers timeless wisdom that transcends its ancient agrarian context, challenging us to re-evaluate our priorities in a world often driven by relentless productivity and the tyranny of urgency. The underlying principle remains profoundly relevant: humans are designed for a rhythm of work and rest, and intentional cessation from labor is vital for holistic well-being—physically, mentally, and spiritually. This verse compels us to examine what we truly prioritize and where our ultimate trust lies. Do we believe that God is indeed our provider, even when stepping away from perceived opportunities or critical tasks seems counter-intuitive? It calls us to resist the pervasive cultural pressure to constantly strive and accumulate, inviting us instead to lean into a posture of faith, acknowledging God's sovereignty over our time, resources, and outcomes. Embracing this principle cultivates a deeper dependence on God, reminding us that our security and flourishing are ultimately found in His provision, not in our ceaseless toil.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of your life do you find it most challenging to "rest" and truly trust God's provision, especially during seasons of high demand or perceived urgency?**
* **How can intentionally creating rhythms of rest and cessation from work, even if not a literal Sabbath, cultivate deeper faith and reduce anxiety in your daily life?**
* **Beyond physical rest, what does it mean to enter into spiritual rest in Christ, and how might this impact your approach to work and life's pressures?**

### FAQ
**Why would God command rest during the most critical agricultural periods like "earing time and in harvest"?**

Answer: God commanded rest during these critical agricultural periods precisely to test and build Israel's faith and dependence on Him. In an agrarian society, "earing time" (plowing/sowing) and "harvest" were periods of intense, time-sensitive labor crucial for survival and prosperity. By commanding a complete cessation of work even then, God was teaching His people that their provision ultimately came from Him, not solely from their own strenuous efforts. It was a radical act of trust, demonstrating that God's blessing and supernatural provision could more than compensate for a "lost" day of labor, reinforcing His sovereignty over nature and human endeavor. This command served as a powerful, recurring reminder that obedience to God was to take precedence over all perceived economic necessities or anxieties.

**How does this Old Testament Sabbath command apply to believers today, particularly in a non-agrarian society?**

Answer: While the specific legalistic observance of the Sabbath, including its precise day and detailed regulations, is understood by New Testament believers to be fulfilled in Christ (as discussed in [Colossians 2:16-17](/colossians/2-16 "Colossians 2:16-17 - Christ as the Substance of the Shadow")), the underlying principles of Exodus 34:21 remain profoundly relevant. It teaches us the vital importance of rhythmic rest for physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. More significantly, it calls us to a radical trust in God's provision, challenging us to prioritize Him and His commands over the relentless demands of work, ambition, or perceived financial security. It encourages us to step away from the "tyranny of urgency" and remember that our ultimate source of blessing and security is God, not our own ceaseless toil. For Christians, this points to a deeper spiritual rest found in Christ, who has accomplished all that is needed for our salvation, inviting us to cease from our own works of earning righteousness and enter into His finished work.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 34:21, with its radical command for Sabbath rest even during the most demanding seasons, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Sabbath, as a physical cessation from labor, was always a shadow pointing to a greater spiritual reality: the true rest offered in Christ. Jesus declared Himself to be the "Lord of the Sabbath" ([Mark 2:28](/mark/2-28 "Mark 2:28 - Jesus, Lord of the Sabbath")), demonstrating His authority over its regulations and revealing its true purpose. He invites all who are weary and burdened to come to Him, promising, "I will give you rest" ([Matthew 11:28](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28 - Jesus' Invitation to Rest")). This rest is not merely physical inactivity but a spiritual cessation from the striving to earn righteousness by works, a rest from the burden of sin and the anxiety of self-reliance. Just as Israel was called to trust God's provision by resting during "earing time and in harvest," believers are called to trust in Christ's finished work on the cross, which provides complete forgiveness and eternal life, making our own efforts for salvation utterly unnecessary. The author of Hebrews speaks of a "Sabbath rest for the people of God," which remains for us, urging us to "enter that rest" by faith in Christ and His completed work ([Hebrews 4:9-11](/hebrews/4-9 "Hebrews 4:9-11 - The Believer's Sabbath Rest")). Thus, the ancient command to rest, even in the face of pressing demands, serves as a timeless type, foreshadowing the ultimate, perfect rest found in the Person and work of our Savior.

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

Exodus 23:12

Six days thou shalt do thy work, and on the seventh day thou shalt rest: that thine ox and thine ass may rest, and the son of thy handmaid, and the stranger, may be refreshed.

Luke 13:14

And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.

1 Samuel 8:12

And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and [will set them] to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots.

Exodus 35:2

Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be to you an holy day, a sabbath of rest to the LORD: whosoever doeth work therein shall be put to death.

Deuteronomy 21:4

And the elders of that city shall bring down the heifer unto a rough valley, which is neither eared nor sown, and shall strike off the heifer's neck there in the valley:

Isaiah 30:24

The oxen likewise and the young asses that ear the ground shall eat clean provender, which hath been winnowed with the shovel and with the fan.

Luke 23:56

And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.