Exodus 31:15

Translations

Modern

For six days work may be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of complete rest, holy to the LORD. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day must surely be put to death.

Traditional

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.

Literal

Six days work shall be done, and the seventh day is a Sabbath of complete rest, holy to YHWH. Every doer of work on the Sabbath day, he must surely be put to death.

Latin

Sex diebus facietis opus: in die septimo sabbatum est, requies sancta Domino; omnis qui fecerit opus in hac die, morietur.

Original

Hebrew

English

For six days work may be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of complete rest, holy to the LORD. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day must surely be put to death.

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

Genesis 2:2
And by the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on that day He rested from all His work.
Leviticus 23:3
For six days work may be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of complete rest, a day of sacred assembly. You must not do any work; wherever you live, it is a Sabbath to the LORD.
Exodus 16:23
He told them, “This is what the LORD has said: ‘Tomorrow is to be a day of complete rest, a holy Sabbath to the LORD. So bake what you want to bake, and boil what you want to boil. Then set aside whatever remains and keep it until morning.’”
Exodus 34:21
Six days you shall labor, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even in the seasons of plowing and harvesting, you must rest.
Exodus 35:2
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.
Exodus 31:17
It is a sign between Me and the Israelites forever; for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, but on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.’”
Jeremiah 17:24–27
If, however, you listen carefully to Me, says the LORD, and bring no load through the gates of this city on the Sabbath day, and keep the Sabbath day holy, and do no work on it,
Luke 13:14
But the synagogue leader was indignant that Jesus had healed on the Sabbath. “There are six days for work,” he told the crowd. “So come and be healed on those days and not on the Sabbath.”
Luke 23:56
Then they returned to prepare spices and perfumes. And they rested on the Sabbath, according to the commandment.
Ezekiel 46:1
“This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘The gate of the inner court that faces east must be kept shut during the six days of work, but on the Sabbath day and on the day of the New Moon it shall be opened.
Leviticus 23:32
It will be a Sabbath of complete rest for you, and you shall humble yourselves. From the evening of the ninth day of the month until the following evening you are to keep your Sabbath.”
Numbers 15:32–36
While the Israelites were in the wilderness, a man was found gathering wood on the Sabbath day.

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

Sabbath: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Sanitation: Rest Commanded Stoning to Death The Sabbath: Called: The Sabbath of Rest The Sabbath: God: Sanctified The Sabbath: Punishment of Those Who Profane

Exodus 31:15

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