Exodus 31:15
Six 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.
Original Language Analysis
שֵׁ֣שֶׁת
Six
H8337
שֵׁ֣שֶׁת
Six
Strong's:
H8337
Word #:
1 of 17
six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth
בְּי֥וֹם
day
H3117
בְּי֥וֹם
day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
2 of 17
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
הָֽעֹשֶׂ֧ה
be done
H6213
הָֽעֹשֶׂ֧ה
be done
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
3 of 17
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
מְלָאכָ֛ה
any work
H4399
מְלָאכָ֛ה
any work
Strong's:
H4399
Word #:
4 of 17
properly, deputyship, i.e., ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor)
בְּי֥וֹם
day
H3117
בְּי֥וֹם
day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
5 of 17
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
הַשַּׁבָּ֖ת
in the sabbath
H7676
הַשַּׁבָּ֖ת
in the sabbath
Strong's:
H7676
Word #:
7 of 17
intermission, i.e (specifically) the sabbath
לַֽיהוָ֑ה
to the LORD
H3068
לַֽיהוָ֑ה
to the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
10 of 17
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
11 of 17
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָֽעֹשֶׂ֧ה
be done
H6213
הָֽעֹשֶׂ֧ה
be done
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
12 of 17
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
מְלָאכָ֛ה
any work
H4399
מְלָאכָ֛ה
any work
Strong's:
H4399
Word #:
13 of 17
properly, deputyship, i.e., ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor)
בְּי֥וֹם
day
H3117
בְּי֥וֹם
day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
14 of 17
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
הַשַּׁבָּ֖ת
in the sabbath
H7676
הַשַּׁבָּ֖ת
in the sabbath
Strong's:
H7676
Word #:
15 of 17
intermission, i.e (specifically) the sabbath
Cross References
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 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.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 34:21Six days thou shalt work, but on the seventh day thou shalt rest: in earing time and in harvest thou shalt rest.Exodus 31:17It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.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.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.Luke 23:56And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.
Historical Context
The Sabbath command's placement after tabernacle instructions (before construction began) emphasized that even sacred work must pause for sacred rest. God's people rest in His timing, not working constantly even for holy purposes.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Sabbath rest prefigure ceasing from self-effort and resting in Christ's finished work?
- What does the severity of Sabbath violation teach about rejecting God's rest?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The Sabbath is a sign between God and Israel forever, reminding them that the LORD sanctifies them. Sabbath-keeping testified to creation (God rested on the seventh day) and sanctification (God sets apart His people). Sabbath rest prefigures the spiritual rest believers find in Christ—ceasing from self-effort, trusting His finished work (Hebrews 4:9-10). Violating the Sabbath incurred death, showing that rejecting God's rest is spiritual death.