Exodus 16:23
And 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.
Original Language Analysis
ה֚וּא
H1931
ה֚וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
3 of 27
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
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
4 of 27
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
דִּבֶּ֣ר
hath said
H1696
דִּבֶּ֣ר
hath said
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
5 of 27
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
לַֽיהוָ֖ה
unto the LORD
H3068
לַֽיהוָ֖ה
unto the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
6 of 27
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
קֹ֛דֶשׁ
of the holy
H6944
קֹ֛דֶשׁ
of the holy
Strong's:
H6944
Word #:
9 of 27
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
לַֽיהוָ֖ה
unto the LORD
H3068
לַֽיהוָ֖ה
unto the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
10 of 27
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
מָחָ֑ר
To morrow
H4279
מָחָ֑ר
To morrow
Strong's:
H4279
Word #:
11 of 27
properly, deferred, i.e., the morrow; usually (adverbially) tomorrow; indefinitely, hereafter
אֵ֣ת
H853
אֵ֣ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
13 of 27
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
וְאֵ֤ת
H853
וְאֵ֤ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
16 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲשֶֽׁר
H834
אֲשֶֽׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
17 of 27
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בַּשֵּׁ֔לוּ
that ye will seethe
H1310
בַּשֵּׁ֔לוּ
that ye will seethe
Strong's:
H1310
Word #:
18 of 27
properly, to boil up; hence, to be done in cooking; figuratively to ripen
בַּשֵּׁ֔לוּ
that ye will seethe
H1310
בַּשֵּׁ֔לוּ
that ye will seethe
Strong's:
H1310
Word #:
19 of 27
properly, to boil up; hence, to be done in cooking; figuratively to ripen
וְאֵת֙
H853
וְאֵת֙
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
20 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
and that which
H3605
כָּל
and that which
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
21 of 27
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
לְמִשְׁמֶ֖רֶת
for you to be kept
H4931
לְמִשְׁמֶ֖רֶת
for you to be kept
Strong's:
H4931
Word #:
25 of 27
watch, i.e., the act (custody), or (concretely) the sentry, the post; objectively preservation, or (concretely) safe; figuratively observance, i.e., (
Cross References
Leviticus 23:3Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings.Exodus 31:15Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.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.Luke 23:56And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.
Historical Context
This introduces Sabbath observance before the formal giving of the Ten Commandments at Sinai, showing rest as gift before law, grace before demand.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Sabbath as 'rest unto the LORD' differ from merely taking a day off?
- What preparation does spiritual rest require, and how does Christ's work provide it?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
This is that which the LORD hath said, To morrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the LORD—Moses explains the double portion by introducing Sabbath (שַׁבָּת, shabbat, 'rest, cessation'). The definite article 'the rest' indicates a specific, known concept even before Sinai's formal commandment, linking to creation's seventh day (Gen 2:2-3). The Sabbath is 'holy' (קֹדֶשׁ, qodesh) and 'unto the LORD,' emphasizing its sacred character and divine ownership. The command to 'bake' and 'seethe' (boil) today for tomorrow's eating requires Sabbath preparation, teaching that rest requires forethought. This prefigures believers who rest in Christ's completed work, having prepared through faith.