Keraia
Genesis 2

Genesis 2:3

The Seventh Day · Genesis 2:1–3
Read Genesis 2

Translations

Modern
Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because on that day He rested from all the work of creation that He had accomplished.
Traditional
And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.
Literal
And God blessed the seventh day, and He sanctified it, because on it He ceased from all His work that God had created for making.
Latin
Et benedixit diei septimo, et sanctificavit illum, quia in ipso cessaverat ab omni opere suo quod creavit Deus ut faceret.

Original

Hebrew
English
Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because on that day He rested from all the work of creation that He had accomplished.

Notes

Genesis 2:3

  • During the first six days of creation, God separated light from darkness, day from night, and water from dry land. The final act of creation separated the ordinary from the holy. This was the basis for Israel’s worship. It also anticipated a future time of rest (Hebrews 4:1–11; 12:2; 13:14).

  • The lack of the usual "evening … morning" phrase shows the creator's desire for endless fellowship with humans.

Genesis 2:1–3

Humans are the most important of God's creation (1:26–31), and day 7 is the most important of the creation week. When God rested, he approved all creation. There was nothing more needed! This seven-day framework structured Israel's week.

The seventh day was the model for their weekly Sabbath. God intended for the Sabbath to celebrate his completed work. God set apart the seventh day as holy. The people dedicated it to the Creator, who also rested on this day (see Exodus 20:8–11; 31:12–17; compare Matthew 12:1–8; Romans 14:5–6; Colossians 2:16–17; Hebrews 4:1–11).

Genesis 1:1–2:3

  • These verses introduce the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible). They teach Israel that one true God created, ordered, and populated the world, not the gods of nearby nations.

  • God blessed three specific things:

    These three blessings emphasize the Creator's plan. God made humans in his image to rule in his place over earth's creatures and to join in God's Sabbath rest.

Events

Parallels

Exodus 16:22–30 Hebrews 4:1–11

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Bible, Quotations of the Old Testament in the New Testament Book of Revelation Chronology of the Bible (Old Testament) Creation Myths Day Fall of Man Feasts and Festivals of Israel Genesis, Book of God, Names of Hebrew Language Land Man Mesopotamia Monotheism New Creation, New Creature Paradise Patriarchs, Period of the Sabbath Sex, Sexuality Week Woman Work

Topics

Anthropomorphisms: Miscellaneous Acts and States of Mind Attributed to Resting Anthropomorphisms: Miscellaneous Figures Christ is God: As Lord of the Sabbath Creation: God Rested From, on the Seventh Day Finishing What you Start God: Creator Jesus, the Christ: Divinity of Lord of the Sabbath Sabbath: Religious Usages on The Sabbath: Signifying a Period of Rest Sabbath: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Sanctification: Typified Seven: Days: Week Consists of The Sabbath: God: Blessed The Sabbath: God: Sanctified The Sabbath: Grounds of Its Institution The Sabbath: Instituted by God The Seventh Day