Exodus 35:2
Six 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.
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
וּבַיּ֣וֹם
day
H3117
וּבַיּ֣וֹם
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
הָֽעֹשֶׂ֥ה
be done
H6213
הָֽעֹשֶׂ֥ה
be done
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
3 of 17
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
מְלָאכָ֖ה
shall work
H4399
מְלָאכָ֖ה
shall 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)
וּבַיּ֣וֹם
day
H3117
וּבַיּ֣וֹם
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
יִֽהְיֶ֨ה
H1961
יִֽהְיֶ֨ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
7 of 17
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
קֹ֛דֶשׁ
there shall be to you an holy day
H6944
קֹ֛דֶשׁ
there shall be to you an holy day
Strong's:
H6944
Word #:
9 of 17
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
לַֽיהוָ֑ה
to the LORD
H3068
לַֽיהוָ֑ה
to the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
12 of 17
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
13 of 17
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָֽעֹשֶׂ֥ה
be done
H6213
הָֽעֹשֶׂ֥ה
be done
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
14 of 17
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
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 34:21Six days thou shalt work, but on the seventh day thou shalt rest: in earing time and in harvest thou shalt rest.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.
Historical Context
This reiteration of Sabbath law (see 31:12-17) was necessary because tabernacle construction might tempt workers to labor continuously. Ancient Near Eastern temple construction often involved relentless work, but Israel's pattern distinctly honors sacred rest.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does God place Sabbath-keeping before the most sacred work of building His dwelling?
- How does the principle of rest before work challenge contemporary approaches to ministry and Christian service?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The Sabbath command precedes tabernacle construction, establishing that even the holiest work must not violate God's rest principle. The Hebrew structure emphasizes 'six days' (שֵׁשֶׁת יָמִים, sheshet yamim) for work and 'the seventh day' (הַיּוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי, ha-yom ha-shevi'i) as קֹדֶשׁ (kodesh, holy) to the LORD. This order of priorities teaches that worship precedes work, being precedes doing, and relationship with God supersedes even building His dwelling place.