Exodus 12:16
And in the first day there shall be an holy convocation, and in the seventh day there shall be an holy convocation to you; no manner of work shall be done in them, save that which every man must eat, that only may be done of you.
Original Language Analysis
וּבַיּוֹם֙
day
H3117
וּבַיּוֹם֙
day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
1 of 24
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
הָֽרִאשׁוֹן֙
And in the first
H7223
הָֽרִאשׁוֹן֙
And in the first
Strong's:
H7223
Word #:
2 of 24
first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)
מִקְרָא
convocation
H4744
מִקְרָא
convocation
Strong's:
H4744
Word #:
3 of 24
something called out, i.e., a public meeting (the act, the persons, or the place); also a rehearsal
קֹ֖דֶשׁ
there shall be an holy
H6944
קֹ֖דֶשׁ
there shall be an holy
Strong's:
H6944
Word #:
4 of 24
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
וּבַיּוֹם֙
day
H3117
וּבַיּוֹם֙
day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
5 of 24
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
מִקְרָא
convocation
H4744
מִקְרָא
convocation
Strong's:
H4744
Word #:
7 of 24
something called out, i.e., a public meeting (the act, the persons, or the place); also a rehearsal
קֹ֖דֶשׁ
there shall be an holy
H6944
קֹ֖דֶשׁ
there shall be an holy
Strong's:
H6944
Word #:
8 of 24
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
יִֽהְיֶ֣ה
H1961
יִֽהְיֶ֣ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
9 of 24
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
11 of 24
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מְלָאכָה֙
to you no manner of work
H4399
מְלָאכָה֙
to you no manner of work
Strong's:
H4399
Word #:
12 of 24
properly, deputyship, i.e., ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor)
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
13 of 24
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יֵֽעָשֶׂ֥ה
shall be done
H6213
יֵֽעָשֶׂ֥ה
shall be done
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
14 of 24
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אַ֚ךְ
in them save
H389
אַ֚ךְ
in them save
Strong's:
H389
Word #:
16 of 24
a particle of affirmation, surely; hence (by limitation) only
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
17 of 24
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לְכָל
H3605
לְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
19 of 24
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
נֶ֔פֶשׁ
that which every man
H5315
נֶ֔פֶשׁ
that which every man
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
20 of 24
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
ה֥וּא
H1931
ה֥וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
21 of 24
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
לְבַדּ֖וֹ
H905
לְבַדּ֖וֹ
Strong's:
H905
Word #:
22 of 24
properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of a tree, bar for carrying; figuratively, chief of a city; especially (with preposit
Cross References
Numbers 28:18In the first day shall be an holy convocation; ye shall do no manner of servile work therein:Exodus 16:23And he said unto them, This is that which the LORD hath said, To morrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the LORD: bake that which ye will bake to day, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning.Numbers 28:25And on the seventh day ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work.Exodus 16:29See, for that the LORD hath given you the sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day.Exodus 16:5And it shall come to pass, that on the sixth day they shall prepare that which they bring in; and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily.Exodus 20:10But 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:Leviticus 23:21And ye shall proclaim on the selfsame day, that it may be an holy convocation unto you: ye shall do no servile work therein: it shall be a statute for ever in all your dwellings throughout your generations.Leviticus 23:27Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD.Leviticus 23:35On the first day shall be an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein.Numbers 29:12And on the fifteenth day of the seventh month ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work, and ye shall keep a feast unto the LORD seven days:
Historical Context
Holy convocations required gathering at local synagogues (later) or family groups (earlier). The work prohibition set these days apart from ordinary festival days.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the work prohibition during redemption celebrations picture salvation by grace rather than human effort?
- What does God's provision for necessary food preparation teach about balancing worship with practical life?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The 'holy convocation' (miqra-qodesh, מִקְרָא־קֹדֶשׁ) means a sacred assembly where work ceases. Bracketing the feast with rest days (first and seventh) emphasizes that redemption leads to Sabbath rest. 'No manner of work' except food preparation teaches that while ceremony requires effort, salvation itself is received through rest, not works. This prefigures Christ's finished work.