Deuteronomy 5:15
And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the LORD thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the LORD thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day.
Original Language Analysis
וְזָֽכַרְתָּ֞֗
And remember
H2142
וְזָֽכַרְתָּ֞֗
And remember
Strong's:
H2142
Word #:
1 of 23
properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
2 of 23
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
הָיִ֣֙יתָ֙׀
H1961
הָיִ֣֙יתָ֙׀
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
4 of 23
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
וַיֹּצִ֨אֲךָ֜֩
brought
H3318
וַיֹּצִ֨אֲךָ֜֩
brought
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
7 of 23
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
יְהוָ֣ה
and that the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
and that the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
8 of 23
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ
thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
9 of 23
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
מִשָּׁ֔ם֙
H8033
מִשָּׁ֔ם֙
Strong's:
H8033
Word #:
10 of 23
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
בְּיָ֤֥ד
hand
H3027
בְּיָ֤֥ד
hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
11 of 23
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
חֲזָקָ֖ה֙
thee out thence through a mighty
H2389
חֲזָקָ֖ה֙
thee out thence through a mighty
Strong's:
H2389
Word #:
12 of 23
strong (usu. in a bad sense, hard, bold, violent)
וּבִזְרֹ֣עַ
arm
H2220
וּבִזְרֹ֣עַ
arm
Strong's:
H2220
Word #:
13 of 23
the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force
נְטוּיָ֑֔ה
and by a stretched out
H5186
נְטוּיָ֑֔ה
and by a stretched out
Strong's:
H5186
Word #:
14 of 23
to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
15 of 23
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כֵּ֗ן
H3651
כֵּ֗ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
16 of 23
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
יְהוָ֣ה
and that the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
and that the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
18 of 23
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ
thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
19 of 23
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
לַֽעֲשׂ֖וֹת
thee to keep
H6213
לַֽעֲשׂ֖וֹת
thee to keep
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
20 of 23
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
21 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Cross References
Deuteronomy 5:6I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.Deuteronomy 15:15And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt, and the LORD thy God redeemed thee: therefore I command thee this thing to day.Deuteronomy 16:12And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in Egypt: and thou shalt observe and do these statutes.
Historical Context
Egypt enslaved Israel approximately 400 years (Genesis 15:13) before God's deliverance through Moses (circa 1446 BC). Hebrew slaves labored continuously making bricks and mortar without rest (Exodus 5:6-19). God's deliverance through ten plagues, Passover, and Red Sea crossing freed Israel from this bondage. The Sabbath command constantly reminded Israel of their redemption, motivating compassion toward servants and strangers experiencing parallel bondage.
Questions for Reflection
- How does remembering redemption from bondage motivate compassionate treatment of others, particularly the vulnerable?
- In what ways should Christians' experience of redemption from sin's slavery through Christ shape how we treat and rest with those in our care?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The redemptive grounding 'remember that thou wast a servant in Egypt, and that the LORD thy God brought thee out' connects Sabbath rest to exodus deliverance. Israel, once enslaved without rest, must grant rest to others. The phrase 'therefore the LORD thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath' reveals that experiencing God's redemptive grace produces compassionate obedience. This illustrates gospel ethics: believers, redeemed from sin's bondage, extend mercy to others. Sabbath becomes both memorial of redemption and anticipation of eternal rest in Christ.