Exodus 31:17
It 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.
Original Language Analysis
בֵּינִ֗י
H996
בֵּינִ֗י
Strong's:
H996
Word #:
1 of 20
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
וּבֵין֙
H996
וּבֵין֙
Strong's:
H996
Word #:
2 of 20
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
בְּנֵ֣י
between me and the children
H1121
בְּנֵ֣י
between me and the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
3 of 20
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
4 of 20
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
א֥וֹת
It is a sign
H226
א֥וֹת
It is a sign
Strong's:
H226
Word #:
5 of 20
a signal (literally or figuratively), as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc
הִ֖וא
H1931
הִ֖וא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
6 of 20
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
לְעֹלָ֑ם
for ever
H5769
לְעֹלָ֑ם
for ever
Strong's:
H5769
Word #:
7 of 20
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
כִּי
H3588
כִּי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
8 of 20
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
שֵׁ֣שֶׁת
for in six
H8337
שֵׁ֣שֶׁת
for in six
Strong's:
H8337
Word #:
9 of 20
six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth
וּבַיּוֹם֙
day
H3117
וּבַיּוֹם֙
day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
10 of 20
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
עָשָׂ֤ה
made
H6213
עָשָׂ֤ה
made
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
11 of 20
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
יְהוָה֙
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
12 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
13 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַשָּׁמַ֣יִם
heaven
H8064
הַשָּׁמַ֣יִם
heaven
Strong's:
H8064
Word #:
14 of 20
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
15 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וּבַיּוֹם֙
day
H3117
וּבַיּוֹם֙
day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
17 of 20
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
Cross References
Genesis 1:31And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.Exodus 31:13Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you.Hebrews 4:10For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.Ezekiel 20:12Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the LORD that sanctify them.
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.