Ezekiel 20:12

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Moreover also I gave {H5414} them my sabbaths {H7676}, to be a sign {H226} between me and them, that they might know {H3045} that I am the LORD {H3068} that sanctify {H6942} them.

Complete Jewish Bible

I gave them my shabbats as a sign between me and them, so that they would know that I, ADONAI, am the one who makes them holy.

Berean Standard Bible

I also gave them My Sabbaths as a sign between us, so that they would know that I am the LORD who sanctifies them.

American Standard Version

Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am Jehovah that sanctifieth them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 20:12 encapsulates a pivotal aspect of God's covenant relationship with ancient Israel, presenting the Sabbath as a divine gift and a crucial sign of identification. This verse is embedded within a broader historical recounting of Israel's persistent rebellion and God's unwavering faithfulness, highlighting how the Sabbath was intended to reveal Yahweh as the one who sets His people apart, fostering an experiential knowledge of His sanctifying power despite their repeated failures.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 20 is a powerful historical survey delivered to the elders of Israel who sought a word from the Lord. God refuses to be inquired of by them due to their idolatry, instead launching into a comprehensive review of Israel's rebellious history, beginning from their time in Egypt. The giving of the Sabbath in verse 12 is presented as a foundational element of the covenant established shortly after their exodus, a gracious provision intended to mark them as God's peculiar people. This divine gift stands in stark contrast to Israel's continuous defilement through idolatry and disobedience, which God recounts through their wilderness wanderings and into the promised land. The chapter repeatedly emphasizes God's forbearance and His acting "for my name's sake" ([Ezekiel 20:9](/ezekiel/20-9 "Ezekiel 20:9 - God's Name's Sake")) rather than for Israel's merit, setting the stage for future judgment tempered by a promise of ultimate restoration.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophet Ezekiel ministered during the Babylonian exile (c. 593-571 BC), addressing a people who had been removed from their land due to their covenant unfaithfulness. The historical backdrop of Ezekiel 20 is the entire sweep of Israel's history, from their enslavement in Egypt, through the Exodus, the giving of the Law at Sinai, their forty years in the wilderness, and their subsequent settlement in Canaan. The Sabbath, initially commanded in the Decalogue ([Exodus 20:8-11](/exodus/20-8 "Exodus 20:8-11 - The Fourth Commandment")) and reiterated as a perpetual sign ([Exodus 31:13-17](/exodus/31-13 "Exodus 31:13-17 - The Sabbath as a Perpetual Covenant")), was a unique institution among ancient Near Eastern cultures. While other cultures had feast days, a regular weekly day of rest for all, including servants and animals, was distinctive to Israel and underscored their unique relationship with Yahweh, who rested on the seventh day after creation ([Genesis 2:2-3](/genesis/2-2 "Genesis 2:2-3 - God Rests on the Seventh Day")). Its neglect was a significant indicator of their spiritual apostasy.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes in Ezekiel and the broader prophetic literature. Foremost is the theme of **Covenant Faithfulness and Unfaithfulness**, where God consistently upholds His covenant obligations despite Israel's repeated rebellion. The Sabbath, a core covenant stipulation, serves as a tangible reminder of this relationship. Another key theme is **God's Sovereignty and Holiness**, emphasized by the declaration "that I [am] the LORD that sanctify them." This highlights that holiness is not achieved by human effort or ritual but is a divine work initiated and sustained by Yahweh alone, who sets His people apart for Himself. The concept of **Knowing God** (Hebrew: *yada'*) is also central; the Sabbath was a means for Israel to experientially understand God's character, power, and redemptive work, leading to a deeper, relational knowledge of Him, as seen throughout the book of Ezekiel where the phrase "then they will know that I am the Lord" appears frequently ([Ezekiel 6:7](/ezekiel/6-7 "Ezekiel 6:7 - Then They Will Know I Am the Lord")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **sabbaths (Hebrew, _shabbâth'_):** From the root meaning "to cease" or "to rest," this term refers to intermission, specifically the Sabbath day. In the plural ("sabbaths"), it can encompass the weekly Sabbath as well as other holy days of rest and sabbatical years. Here, it emphasizes the collective body of divine rest-commands given to Israel, signifying a cessation from labor and a focus on God's work.
* **sign (Hebrew, _ʼôwth'_):** This word denotes a signal, mark, token, or evidence. It's a visible, tangible indicator of a deeper reality or agreement. In this context, the Sabbath was not merely a commandment but a visible emblem of the covenant between God and Israel, distinguishing them from other nations and perpetually reminding them of their unique relationship with their Creator and Redeemer.
* **sanctify (Hebrew, _qâdash'_):** A primitive root meaning "to be clean," "to make holy," "to set apart," or "to consecrate." It signifies the act of making something or someone distinct, sacred, and dedicated for divine purposes. The phrase "I am the LORD that sanctify them" powerfully asserts God's exclusive prerogative and active role in setting Israel apart as His holy people, implying that their holiness is a divine impartation, not a human achievement.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths":** This clause emphasizes God's initiative and gracious act. The Sabbath was not something Israel earned or devised, but a divine gift, freely bestowed upon them. It underscores God's benevolent provision for His people, offering them a rhythm of rest and remembrance amidst their labors. The possessive "my sabbaths" highlights their divine origin and ownership.
* **"to be a sign between me and them":** This specifies the primary purpose of the Sabbath. It was a covenant marker, a visible and recurring symbol that distinguished Israel as God's chosen people. This sign served as a perpetual reminder of their unique relationship with Yahweh, a tangible representation of the covenant established at Sinai and a differentiator from the surrounding pagan nations.
* **"that they might know that I [am] the LORD that sanctify them":** This final clause reveals the ultimate theological and relational goal of the Sabbath. The purpose of the sign was for Israel to gain an experiential and relational "knowledge" of God, specifically His identity as "the LORD" (Yahweh) and His unique power to "sanctify" them. The Sabbath was designed to cultivate an understanding that their distinctness, their holiness, and their separation from the world were entirely dependent on God's active work in their lives, not on their own efforts or merits.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 20:12 employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is **Symbolism**, where the Sabbath functions as a profound symbol of the covenant relationship between God and Israel. It is not merely a day of rest but a tangible representation of God's ownership, His creative power, and His redemptive work. The repetitive emphasis on "I" ("I gave," "I am the LORD," "I sanctify") highlights **Divine Monologue** and **Assertion of Sovereignty**, underscoring God's absolute authority and initiative in establishing and maintaining the covenant. The phrase "that they might know" indicates a **Didactic Purpose**, revealing God's intention for His people to learn and experientially grasp His character and power through their obedience to His commands. Furthermore, the verse uses **Covenant Language**, framing the Sabbath within the context of a binding agreement between God and His people, where the sign serves as a perpetual reminder of their mutual obligations and God's promises.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 20:12 profoundly articulates God's desire for His people to know Him intimately as their sanctifier through the observance of His commands. The Sabbath, as a divine gift and covenant sign, was not merely a legalistic obligation but a gracious provision intended to foster a deep, experiential understanding of Yahweh's identity and His power to set His people apart for Himself. This concept of divine sanctification is central to Israel's identity and purpose, demonstrating that their holiness is an imputed reality from God, not an achieved status through human effort. Despite Israel's historical failures to keep the Sabbath and other statutes, God's declaration here reaffirms His unwavering commitment to His covenant and His ultimate purpose to make His people holy for His glory.

* [Exodus 31:13](/exodus/31-13 "The Sabbath as a Sign of Sanctification")
* [Leviticus 20:8](/leviticus/20-8 "God Sanctifies His People")
* [Isaiah 58:13-14](/isaiah/58-13 "Blessings of Sabbath Observance")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 20:12 offers timeless principles for believers today, even as our understanding of the Sabbath has been transformed by the New Covenant. The core truth remains: God desires to set His people apart and for them to truly know Him as their sanctifier. This verse challenges us to consider how we intentionally create space in our lives to acknowledge God's sovereignty, rest from our labors, and deepen our relationship with Him. It reminds us that our holiness is not a result of our own striving but a divine work of grace, empowering us to live lives that reflect His character. Just as the Sabbath was a sign of God's unique relationship with Israel, our lives, set apart by God, should be a living testimony to His transforming power, leading us into a deeper, more intimate knowledge of Him. It calls us to trust in God's provision for our rest and sanctification, rather than relying solely on our own efforts.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways do I intentionally set aside time to "know" God and acknowledge His sovereignty in my life?**
* **How does the concept of God as my sanctifier impact my understanding of personal holiness and transformation?**
* **What "rest" am I seeking, and how does it compare to the spiritual rest God offers through His work of sanctification?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the Sabbath being called "a sign" in this verse?**

Answer: The Sabbath being called "a sign" (Hebrew: *ʼôwth*) signifies its role as a visible, tangible, and recurring token of the covenant between God and Israel. It was a distinguishing mark, setting Israel apart from other nations and perpetually reminding them of their unique relationship with Yahweh. This sign served as a weekly memorial of God's creative work ([Exodus 20:11](/exodus/20-11 "God Rested on the Seventh Day")) and His redemptive act in delivering them from Egypt ([Deuteronomy 5:15](/deuteronomy/5-15 "Remember You Were Slaves")). More profoundly, it was a sign that God Himself was the one who sanctified them, making them holy and set apart for His purposes.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 20:12, with its emphasis on the Sabbath as a sign of God's sanctifying work, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Old Covenant Sabbath, a shadow of things to come, pointed forward to the true rest and sanctification found in Christ ([Colossians 2:16-17](/colossians/2-16 "Christ is the Substance")). Jesus Himself declared that He is "Lord of the Sabbath" ([Matthew 12:8](/matthew/12-8 "Jesus, Lord of the Sabbath")), demonstrating His authority over it and revealing its true purpose. Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ not only provides spiritual rest from the burden of sin and the law ([Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28 "Come to Me, All Who Are Weary")), but He also becomes our sanctification. As believers, we are "in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption" ([1 Corinthians 1:30](/1_corinthians/1-30 "Christ Our Sanctification")). The New Testament portrays a spiritual Sabbath rest available to God's people, a rest that is entered into by faith in Christ's finished work, where God's people cease from their own works as God ceased from His ([Hebrews 4:9-10](/hebrews/4-9 "The Sabbath Rest for God's People")). Thus, the sign of God's sanctifying presence is no longer a day, but a person—Jesus Christ—through whom we are made holy and truly know the Lord who sets us apart.

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

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.

Ezekiel 37:28

And the heathen shall know that I the LORD do sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore.

Leviticus 21:23

Only he shall not go in unto the vail, nor come nigh unto the altar, because he hath a blemish; that he profane not my sanctuaries: for I the LORD do sanctify them.

1 Thessalonians 5:23

¶ And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and [I pray God] your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Exodus 20:8

Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

Exodus 20:11

For [in] six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them [is], and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

Deuteronomy 5:12

Keep the sabbath day to sanctify it, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee.