Jeremiah 17:22
Neither carry forth a burden out of your houses on the sabbath day, neither do ye any work, but hallow ye the sabbath day, as I commanded your fathers.
Original Language Analysis
וְלֹא
H3808
וְלֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 18
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תוֹצִ֨יאוּ
Neither carry forth
H3318
תוֹצִ֨יאוּ
Neither carry forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
2 of 18
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
מַשָּׂ֤א
a burden
H4853
מַשָּׂ֤א
a burden
Strong's:
H4853
Word #:
3 of 18
a burden; figuratively, an utterance, chiefly a doom, especially singing; mental, desire
מִבָּֽתֵּיכֶם֙
out of your houses
H1004
מִבָּֽתֵּיכֶם֙
out of your houses
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
4 of 18
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
י֣וֹם
day
H3117
י֣וֹם
day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
5 of 18
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
הַשַּׁבָּ֔ת
on the sabbath
H7676
הַשַּׁבָּ֔ת
on the sabbath
Strong's:
H7676
Word #:
6 of 18
intermission, i.e (specifically) the sabbath
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
7 of 18
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מְלָאכָ֖ה
ye any work
H4399
מְלָאכָ֖ה
ye any work
Strong's:
H4399
Word #:
8 of 18
properly, deputyship, i.e., ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor)
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
9 of 18
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תַֽעֲשׂ֑וּ
neither do
H6213
תַֽעֲשׂ֑וּ
neither do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
10 of 18
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
וְקִדַּשְׁתֶּם֙
but hallow
H6942
וְקִדַּשְׁתֶּם֙
but hallow
Strong's:
H6942
Word #:
11 of 18
to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
י֣וֹם
day
H3117
י֣וֹם
day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
13 of 18
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
הַשַּׁבָּ֔ת
on the sabbath
H7676
הַשַּׁבָּ֔ת
on the sabbath
Strong's:
H7676
Word #:
14 of 18
intermission, i.e (specifically) the sabbath
כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
15 of 18
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Cross References
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.Isaiah 58:13If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: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
Sabbath observance was a covenant sign distinguishing Israel from surrounding nations (Ex 31:13-17, Ezek 20:12). By Jeremiah's time, commercial activity on the Sabbath had become common, reflecting spiritual declension. Nehemiah later confronted similar violations (Neh 13:15-22). The prohibition against carrying burdens appears in Mosaic law (Jer 17:21-22, Ex 20:10) and became elaborated in rabbinic tradition (Mishnah, Shabbat 7:2).
Questions for Reflection
- How do you honor the principle of Sabbath rest in a culture that celebrates constant productivity?
- What might modern Sabbath-breaking look like—activities that violate the spirit of rest and worship?
- In what ways does Christ fulfill the Sabbath, and how should that inform Christian practice regarding rest and worship?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The specific command concerns Sabbath observance: "Neither carry forth a burden out of your houses on the sabbath day, neither do ye any work." The prohibition against carrying burdens refers to commercial activity—transporting goods for trade or labor. The Sabbath was meant to cease from ordinary work, trusting God's provision and acknowledging Him as Creator and covenant Lord.
"Hallow ye the sabbath day" means to set it apart as sacred, different from the other six days. The Hebrew qadash (קָדַשׁ, sanctify/hallow) indicates consecration to God. The phrase "as I commanded your fathers" references the fourth commandment (Ex 20:8-11) and Deuteronomic legislation (Deut 5:12-15). Sabbath-breaking represents covenant violation and practical atheism—living as if God's commands don't matter.
While Christians debate Sabbath theology, the principle remains: God commands rest, worship, and trust in His provision. The Sabbath pointed forward to Christ, our ultimate rest (Heb 4:9-10). Colossians 2:16-17 indicates the ceremonial aspects were shadows fulfilled in Christ, yet the pattern of rest and worship continues. Deliberate rejection of God-ordained rhythms of work and rest reveals deeper rebellion.