Deuteronomy 5:14
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, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; that thy manservant and thy maidservant may rest as well as thou.
Original Language Analysis
וְי֙וֹם֙
day
H3117
וְי֙וֹם֙
day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
1 of 26
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
שַׁבָּ֖֣ת׀
is the sabbath
H7676
שַׁבָּ֖֣ת׀
is the sabbath
Strong's:
H7676
Word #:
3 of 26
intermission, i.e (specifically) the sabbath
לַֽיהוָ֣ה
of the LORD
H3068
לַֽיהוָ֣ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 26
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֑֗יךָ
thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֑֗יךָ
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
5 of 26
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
6 of 26
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תַֽעֲשֶׂ֣ה
in it thou shalt not do
H6213
תַֽעֲשֶׂ֣ה
in it thou shalt not do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
7 of 26
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
כָל
H3605
כָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
8 of 26
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מְלָאכָ֡ה
any work
H4399
מְלָאכָ֡ה
any work
Strong's:
H4399
Word #:
9 of 26
properly, deputyship, i.e., ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor)
וּבִנְךָֽ
thou nor thy son
H1121
וּבִנְךָֽ
thou nor thy son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
11 of 26
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
וּבִתֶּ֣ךָ
nor thy daughter
H1323
וּבִתֶּ֣ךָ
nor thy daughter
Strong's:
H1323
Word #:
12 of 26
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
17 of 26
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
בְּהֶמְתֶּ֗ךָ
nor any of thy cattle
H929
בְּהֶמְתֶּ֗ךָ
nor any of thy cattle
Strong's:
H929
Word #:
18 of 26
properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)
וְגֵֽרְךָ֙
nor thy stranger
H1616
וְגֵֽרְךָ֙
nor thy stranger
Strong's:
H1616
Word #:
19 of 26
properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
20 of 26
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בִּשְׁעָרֶ֔יךָ
that is within thy gates
H8179
בִּשְׁעָרֶ֔יךָ
that is within thy gates
Strong's:
H8179
Word #:
21 of 26
an opening, i.e., door or gate
לְמַ֗עַן
H4616
לְמַ֗עַן
Strong's:
H4616
Word #:
22 of 26
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
יָנ֛וּחַ
may rest
H5117
יָנ֛וּחַ
may rest
Strong's:
H5117
Word #:
23 of 26
to rest, i.e., settle down; used in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, intransitive, transitive and causative (to dwell, stay, l
Cross References
Hebrews 4:4For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.Genesis 2:2And 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.Exodus 23:12Six 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.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern societies had no concept of universal rest—slaves and servants worked continuously. Israel's Sabbath was revolutionary in mandating rest for all: family, servants, foreigners residing among them, and even livestock. The Year of Jubilee extended this principle, freeing Hebrew slaves and returning ancestral lands (Leviticus 25). These laws demonstrated Israel's calling to model justice, mercy, and compassion flowing from covenant relationship with Yahweh.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the universal scope of Sabbath rest (including servants, foreigners, animals) demonstrate God's compassion for all creation?
- What principles can Christians draw from this command regarding humane labor practices, rest, and care for those under our authority or employ?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The Sabbath command extends rest to 'thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger.' This comprehensive inclusivity demonstrates covenant compassion—even slaves, foreigners, and animals must rest. The prohibition of work extends to subordinates under one's authority, preventing exploitation. This verse reveals God's concern for the vulnerable and Creation-wide scope of Sabbath blessing. The Reformed tradition sees this as establishing principles of humane labor practices, concern for workers' wellbeing, and rest as universal human right, not class privilege.