Exodus 20:9
Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:
Original Language Analysis
שֵׁ֤֣שֶׁת
Six
H8337
שֵׁ֤֣שֶׁת
Six
Strong's:
H8337
Word #:
1 of 6
six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth
יָמִ֣ים֙
days
H3117
יָמִ֣ים֙
days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
2 of 6
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
תַּֽעֲבֹ֔ד֮
shalt thou labour
H5647
תַּֽעֲבֹ֔ד֮
shalt thou labour
Strong's:
H5647
Word #:
3 of 6
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
וְעָשִׂ֖֣יתָ
and do
H6213
וְעָשִׂ֖֣יתָ
and do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
4 of 6
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Cross References
Luke 13:14And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.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.Exodus 34:21Six days thou shalt work, but on the seventh day thou shalt rest: in earing time and in harvest thou shalt rest.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 35:2Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be to you an holy day, a sabbath of rest to the LORD: whosoever doeth work therein shall be put to death.
Historical Context
In the ancient world, continuous labor with no regular rest was common, especially for slaves. God's command to work six days and rest one protected workers from endless toil while dignifying labor itself.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this command dignify ordinary work as God-ordained, not just 'ministry' work?
- What does completing your work in six days teach about diligence and trust?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:
The Sabbath command begins with permission to work—'six days shalt thou labour' (שֵׁשֶׁת יָמִים תַּעֲבֹד, sheshet yamim ta'avod). Work isn't curse but calling; labor has dignity. The rhythm is six-then-one, work-then-rest, mirroring Creation's pattern. 'All thy work' (כָּל־מְלַאכְתֶּךָ, kol-melakhtekha) means complete your tasks in six days—the Sabbath isn't catch-up day but genuine rest. This sanctifies ordinary labor: the six days of work are as commanded as the seventh day of rest. God ordains both work and rest; both glorify Him. Secular/sacred divide collapses—plowing and praying, building and Bible-reading, all done unto the Lord.