from שַׁבָּת; a sabbatism or special holiday; rest, sabbath.
Transliteration:shabbâthôwn
Pronunciation:shab-baw-thone'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word שַׁבָּתוֹן (shabbâthôwn, `{{H7677}}`) is derived from שַׁבָּת (shabbath, `{{H7676}}`), which signifies "Sabbath" or "rest." The suffix "-ôn" functions to intensify or specify, thus שַׁבָּתוֹן denotes a "sabbatism," a "special Sabbath," or a "solemn rest." It implies a day of complete cessation from labor, often with greater solemnity or particular significance than the regular weekly Sabbath. The semantic range extends beyond the weekly Sabbath to encompass specific high-holy days, such as the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), the Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah), and the first and eighth days of the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), as well as the septennial Sabbatical Year. In all instances, it emphasizes a divinely commanded, sacred cessation from all ordinary work.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
שַׁבָּתוֹן appears 11 times in the Hebrew Bible, primarily within the legal sections of the Pentateuch, particularly Exodus and Leviticus, where divine ordinances concerning sacred times are detailed.
* In **Exodus 16:23**, שַׁבָּתוֹן first appears in the context of the manna provision, designating the seventh day as "a sabbath of solemn rest, holy to the LORD." This establishes the weekly Sabbath as a day of complete cessation from even necessary activities like gathering food.
* **Exodus 31:15** and **Exodus 35:2** reiterate the severity of the weekly Sabbath command, emphasizing that the seventh day is a "sabbath of complete rest, holy to the LORD," with a strict prohibition against work.
* **Leviticus 16:31** and **Leviticus 23:32** apply שַׁבָּתוֹן specifically to the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). This day is called a "sabbath of solemn rest" and is associated with "humbling yourselves," underscoring its unique gravity and the absolute cessation of all labor. It is a "high Sabbath."
* **Leviticus 23:3** explicitly defines the weekly Sabbath as a "sabbath of complete rest," a "holy convocation," where no work is to be done.
* **Leviticus 23:24** designates the first day of the seventh month (Feast of Trumpets) as a "rest," a שַׁבָּתוֹן, a "memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation."
* **Leviticus 23:39** refers to the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), specifying that both the first and eighth days are to be a "sabbath rest," indicating their elevated status as days of solemn cessation from work.
* **Leviticus 25:4** and **Leviticus 25:5** extend the concept of שַׁבָּתוֹן to the land itself in the Sabbatical Year (Shemitah). In the seventh year, the land is to have a "sabbath of complete rest," a "sabbath to the LORD," meaning it is to lie fallow.
Across these contexts, שַׁבָּתוֹן consistently signifies a divinely commanded, profound cessation from ordinary activity, marking time as sacred and set apart for the Lord.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **שַׁבָּת (shabbath, `{{H7676}}`)**: The direct root of שַׁבָּתוֹן. While שַׁבָּת refers to the weekly Sabbath and the general concept of rest, שַׁבָּתוֹן often serves to intensify or specify a "grand Sabbath" or "sabbath of solemn rest," particularly for the annual festivals and the Sabbatical year. It highlights the *quality* and *solemnity* of the required rest.
* **שָׁבַת (shabath, `{{H7673}}`)**: The verbal root meaning "to cease," "to rest," or "to desist." This foundational verb underlies the entire concept of Sabbath and שַׁבָּתוֹן.
* **נוּחַ (nuach, `{{H5117}}`)**: To rest, settle down, or be quiet. While related to the idea of rest, שַׁבָּתוֹן specifically implies a commanded, sacred cessation rather than merely physical repose.
* **מְלָאכָה (melakah, `{{H4399}}`)**: Work, occupation, or business. This term represents the type of activity that is strictly prohibited during a שַׁבָּתוֹן, underscoring the nature of the cessation.
* **Holy Convocation (מִקְרָא קֹדֶשׁ - miqra' qodesh)**: Many days designated as שַׁבָּתוֹן are also called "holy convocations" (e.g., [[Leviticus 23:3]]), indicating that these periods of rest were also times for sacred assembly, worship, and instruction, not just idleness.
### Theological Significance
The concept of שַׁבָּתוֹן carries profound theological weight within the biblical narrative:
* **Divine Pattern and Creation Order**: שַׁבָּתוֹן is rooted in God's own rest on the seventh day of creation ([[Genesis 2:2-3]]). It signifies that rest is not merely a human necessity but a divinely established pattern, reflecting God's completed work and His sovereign ordering of time. By observing שַׁבָּתוֹן, humanity participates in God's rhythm and acknowledges His ultimate control.
* **Holiness and Consecration**: The designation of certain days as שַׁבָּתוֹן marks them as "holy to the LORD." This concept teaches Israel that holiness extends beyond sacred places and objects to encompass sacred time. These periods are set apart from the ordinary, consecrated for divine purposes, fostering a deeper awareness of God's presence and demands.
* **Covenant Sign and Obedience**: The Sabbath, including its intensified forms as שַׁבָּתוֹן, serves as a perpetual sign of the covenant between God and Israel ([[Exodus 31:13]]). Its observance is an act of obedience, a tangible expression of faithfulness to God's commands, and a remembrance of His deliverance and ongoing relationship with His people.
* **Trust and Dependence on God**: Particularly evident in the Sabbatical Year ([[Leviticus 25:4-5]]), observing שַׁבָּתוֹן requires a radical trust in God's provision. Forgoing work, especially agricultural labor, demonstrates faith that God will sustain His people even when they cease their toil. It counters human anxiety and promotes reliance on divine grace.
* **Anticipation of Eschatological Rest**: The earthly שַׁבָּתוֹן serves as a type and shadow of a greater, ultimate rest. The New Testament alludes to a "Sabbath rest for the people of God" ([[Hebrews 4:9]]), pointing to a future, eternal cessation from struggle, labor, and sin in God's presence. The solemn rests of the Old Covenant foreshadow the perfect and complete rest found in Christ and His eternal kingdom.
### Summary
שַׁבָּתוֹן (shabbâthôwn, `{{H7677}}`) denotes a "sabbatism" or "solemn rest," an intensified form of שַׁבָּת (`{{H7676}}`). It refers to divinely mandated periods of complete cessation from work, extending beyond the weekly Sabbath to include specific high holy days such as the Day of Atonement, the Feast of Trumpets, the first and eighth days of the Feast of Tabernacles, and the Sabbatical year for the land. Its consistent usage in the Pentateuch, particularly in Exodus and Leviticus, underscores its significance as a sacred, commanded time. Theologically, שַׁבָּתוֹﾝ profoundly reflects God's sovereignty and creation order, emphasizes holiness and separation, serves as a vital sign of the covenant, cultivates trust in divine provision, and ultimately foreshadows the ultimate eschatological rest awaiting God's people. It is a concept that deeply integrates rest, worship, and dependence on God into the very fabric of Israelite life and faith.
TRV