Jeremiah 17:22

Neither carry forth a burden out of your houses on the sabbath day, neither do ye any work, but hallow ye the sabbath day, as I commanded your fathers.

Neither carry forth {H3318} a burden {H4853} out of your houses {H1004} on the sabbath {H7676} day {H3117}, neither do {H6213} ye any work {H4399}, but hallow {H6942} ye the sabbath {H7676} day {H3117}, as I commanded {H6680} your fathers {H1}.

don't carry anything out of your houses on Shabbat; and don't do any work. Instead, make Shabbat a holy day. I ordered your ancestors to do this,

You must not carry a load out of your houses or do any work on the Sabbath day, but you must keep the Sabbath day holy, just as I commanded your forefathers.

neither carry forth a burden out of your houses on the sabbath day, neither do ye any work: but hallow ye the sabbath day, as I commanded your fathers.

Commentary

Context

Jeremiah 17:22 is part of a prophetic message delivered by the prophet Jeremiah to the people of Judah during a critical period leading up to the Babylonian exile. God, through Jeremiah, repeatedly calls the nation to repentance and obedience to His covenant laws, warning them of impending judgment if they persist in their sin. This specific verse addresses their consistent failure to honor the Sabbath day, a foundational commandment given to Israel at Mount Sinai.

The carrying of "burdens" (commercial goods or unnecessary loads) and doing "any work" on the Sabbath were clear violations of the sacred rest God commanded. For the Israelites, adherence to the Sabbath was not merely a ritual but a vital sign of their faithfulness to God's covenant and a demonstration of trust in His provision. Their disregard for this command reflected a deeper spiritual rebellion and neglect of their unique relationship with the Almighty.

Key Themes

  • Sanctity of the Sabbath: The verse reiterates God's command to "hallow" the Sabbath, emphasizing its sacred nature as a day set apart for rest and worship. It was designed to be a holy day, a perpetual sign of the covenant between God and Israel, as detailed in Exodus 31:13.
  • Obedience and Consequences: Jeremiah directly links Israel's obedience regarding the Sabbath to their national well-being and continued habitation in the land. Conversely, disobedience, as outlined in the verses immediately following this passage (Jeremiah 17:27), would lead to severe judgment, including the destruction of Jerusalem and exile. This highlights the serious implications of neglecting God's specific commands.
  • Covenant Fidelity: The Sabbath commandment was a core component of the Mosaic Covenant, serving as a powerful reminder of God's creation work and His deliverance of Israel from slavery (Deuteronomy 5:15). Failing to observe it demonstrated a fundamental lack of fidelity to their covenant relationship with God and a rejection of His sovereign authority.

Linguistic Insights

The word "hallow" (KJV) or "sanctify" comes from the Hebrew verb qadash (ืงึธื“ึทืฉื), which means "to be set apart," "to be holy," or "to consecrate." It conveys the idea of dedicating something exclusively to God's purposes, distinguishing it from the common or profane. The prohibition against carrying "a burden" (Hebrew: massa', ืžึทืฉึธึผื‚ื) refers to heavy loads, often associated with trade, commerce, or daily labor. This specific instruction aimed to ensure a complete cessation of ordinary work and commercial activity, allowing for true rest and focus on God.

Practical Application

While Christians today live under the New Covenant and are not bound by the specific legalistic requirements of the Old Testament Sabbath laws, the underlying principles of Jeremiah 17:22 remain profoundly relevant:

  • The Need for Rest: The principle of regular rest from labor and the relentless pursuit of material gain is a timeless divine wisdom. It ensures physical, mental, and spiritual renewal, reflecting God's own pattern of rest after creation.
  • Prioritizing God: Setting aside dedicated time for worship, spiritual reflection, and communion with God is crucial for acknowledging His sovereignty and placing Him first in our lives. This aligns with the New Testament concept of a spiritual "Sabbath rest" for God's people, as discussed in Hebrews 4:9.
  • Obedience as Love: The verse reminds us that obedience to God's commands, even those that may seem inconvenient in a busy world, is a tangible expression of our love for Him and is vital for spiritual flourishing. It encourages us to evaluate our priorities and ensure that our lives reflect a genuine commitment to God's will.
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Cross-References

  • Ezekiel 20:12 (7 votes)

    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.

  • Exodus 20:8 (6 votes)

    Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

  • Exodus 20:10 (6 votes)

    But the seventh day [is] the sabbath of the LORD thy God: [in it] thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that [is] within thy gates:

  • Isaiah 56:2 (4 votes)

    Blessed [is] the man [that] doeth this, and the son of man [that] layeth hold on it; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil.

  • Isaiah 56:6 (4 votes)

    Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant;

  • Isaiah 58:13 (4 votes)

    ยถ If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, [from] doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking [thine own] words:

  • Exodus 23:12 (3 votes)

    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.