Exodus 31:14

Translations

Modern

Keep the Sabbath, for it is holy to you. Anyone who profanes it must surely be put to death. Whoever does any work on that day must be cut off from among his people.

Traditional

Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.

Literal

And you shall keep the Sabbath, for it is holy to you. Everyone who profanes it, he must surely be put to death, for every doer of work on it, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.

Latin

Custodite sabbatum meum, sanctum est enim vobis: qui polluerit illud, morte morietur; qui fecerit in eo opus, peribit anima illius de medio populi sui.

Original

Hebrew

English

Keep the Sabbath, for it is holy to you. Anyone who profanes it must surely be put to death. Whoever does any work on that day must be cut off from among his people.

Notes

Exodus 31:14–15

It is very important to learn that we find life in God only by coming to him in his way.

This truth is made clear by the death penalty for disobedience (see also Numbers 15:32–36). This does not mean that God’s people must punish these sins in the same way. But at the beginning, God needed to make this truth clear (see Acts 5:1–11).

If people do not understand this spiritual lesson, ritual obedience will not help them. Ritual obedience means simply following religious rules. It has no value without true faith and trust in God (see Colossians 2:16–19).

Exodus 31:12–18

The Sabbath was understood to be the unique sign of the covenant (31:13, 16, 17; see also 20:8–11; Isaiah 58:13–14; Jeremiah 17:21–27; Nehemiah 13:15–22). The Sabbath also played an important role in God’s plan to make his people holy. Holy refers to being set apart for God’s special use and sharing his character (Exodus 31:13, 14, 15).

By resting on the Sabbath, the people showed that they belonged to him. They stopped their own work on that day (31:15, 17).

This rest was also a practical way to show trust in God. It showed that they depended on him to provide what they needed (see 20:8–11 and study notes).

Theme notes and profiles

Death God’s Sabbath Rest Pure Worship Temple Design as a Picture of God's Truth Violation of the Sacred

Events

Tabernacle Built

Related verses

Exodus 35:2–3
For six days work may be done, but the seventh day shall be your holy day, a Sabbath of complete rest to the LORD. Whoever does any work on that day must be put to death.
Numbers 15:32–36
While the Israelites were in the wilderness, a man was found gathering wood on the Sabbath day.
Isaiah 58:13–14
If you turn your foot from breaking the Sabbath, from doing as you please on My holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight, and the LORD’s holy day honorable, if you honor it by not going your own way or seeking your own pleasure or speaking idle words,
Deuteronomy 5:12–15
Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the LORD your God has commanded you.
Isaiah 56:2–6
Blessed is the man who does this, and the son of man who holds it fast, who keeps the Sabbath without profaning it and keeps his hand from doing any evil.”
Ezekiel 44:24
In any dispute, they shall officiate as judges and judge according to My ordinances. They must keep My laws and statutes regarding all My appointed feasts, and they must keep My Sabbaths holy.
Ezekiel 20:21
But the children rebelled against Me. They did not walk in My statutes or carefully observe My ordinances—though the man who does these things will live by them—and they profaned My Sabbaths. So I resolved to pour out My wrath upon them and vent My anger against them in the wilderness.
Exodus 20:8
Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
Ezekiel 20:24
For they did not practice My ordinances, but they rejected My statutes and profaned My Sabbaths, fixing their eyes on the idols of their fathers.
Nehemiah 9:14
You revealed to them Your holy Sabbath and gave them commandments and statutes and laws through Your servant Moses.
Ezekiel 20:16
…because they kept rejecting My ordinances, refusing to walk in My statutes, and profaning My Sabbaths; for their hearts continually went after their idols.
Ezekiel 20:12–13
I also gave them My Sabbaths as a sign between us, so that they would know that I am the LORD who sanctifies them.

Parallels

Numbers 15:32–36

People

Sabbath: The seventh day of the week, set apart for rest and worship

Glossary

Biblical Concept of Law Book of Exodus Deuteronomy, Book of History of Israel Tabernacle

Topics

Art: Artisans, Skillful: Bezaleel and Aholiab Sabbath: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Sanitation: Rest Commanded The Sabbath: Punishment of Those Who Profane

Exodus 31:14

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