Exodus 20:10 - but the seventh day is a Sabbath to Yahweh your God. You shall not do any work in it, you, nor your son, nor your daughter, your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your livestock, nor your stranger who is within your gates;
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What does "Exodus 20:10" mean?
This verse, Exodus 20:10, is part of the Ten Commandments, specifically the commandment to remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. Let's break down its meaning:
"but the seventh day is a Sabbath to Yahweh your God": This establishes that the seventh day of the week (typically recognized as Saturday) is a special day dedicated to God (Yahweh being the Hebrew name for God). It is a day of rest, not just any day, but specifically dedicated to Yahweh.
"You shall not do any work in it": This is the core of the commandment. It prohibits engaging in labor or activities typically associated with earning a livelihood or maintaining daily life.
"you, nor your son, nor your daughter": The prohibition applies to the head of the household and all their immediate family. Everyone within the family unit is expected to rest.
"your male servant, nor your female servant": This extends the rest to include all servants or employees. The commandment ensures that those in positions of servitude also have a day to rest and are not compelled to work continuously.
"nor your livestock": Even animals are included in the Sabbath rest. This highlights a broader principle of compassion and recognizes the need for all living creatures to have a break from labor.
"nor your stranger who is within your gates": This includes any foreigners or visitors residing within the community. The Sabbath rest is extended to those who are not part of the immediate family or even the nation, emphasizing inclusiveness and hospitality.
In essence, this verse commands a complete cessation of work on the seventh day of the week for everyone within the community, encompassing family members, servants, animals, and even foreign residents. The purpose is to set aside a day for rest, reflection, and devotion to God, and to ensure that all members of society, regardless of their status, have the opportunity to participate in this rest.
Theological Implications:
Remembering Creation: The Sabbath is linked to God's rest after creating the world in six days (Genesis 2:2-3). By resting on the Sabbath, people symbolically participate in God's rest and acknowledge Him as the Creator.
Liberation from Slavery: In Deuteronomy 5:15, the Sabbath is also linked to the Israelites' liberation from slavery in Egypt. Keeping the Sabbath is a reminder of God's deliverance and a celebration of freedom.
Covenant Relationship: The Sabbath is a sign of the covenant between God and His people. By keeping the Sabbath, they demonstrate their commitment to God and His commandments.
Social Justice: The Sabbath promotes social justice by ensuring that even the most vulnerable members of society, such as servants and foreigners, have the opportunity to rest and be treated with dignity.
Different Interpretations:
The interpretation of this commandment and how it should be observed varies among different religious traditions. Some groups, like Orthodox Jews, maintain strict adherence to the traditional interpretations of what constitutes "work." Other groups, like many Christians, have different interpretations, often emphasizing the spirit of rest and worship rather than specific prohibitions against certain activities.
Exodus 20:10 - but the seventh day is a Sabbath to Yahweh your God. You shall not do any work in it, you, nor your son, nor your daughter, your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your livestock, nor your stranger who is within your gates;
What does "Exodus 20:10" mean?
This verse, Exodus 20:10, is part of the Ten Commandments, specifically the commandment to remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. Let's break down its meaning:
"but the seventh day is a Sabbath to Yahweh your God": This establishes that the seventh day of the week (typically recognized as Saturday) is a special day dedicated to God (Yahweh being the Hebrew name for God). It is a day of rest, not just any day, but specifically dedicated to Yahweh.
"You shall not do any work in it": This is the core of the commandment. It prohibits engaging in labor or activities typically associated with earning a livelihood or maintaining daily life.
"you, nor your son, nor your daughter": The prohibition applies to the head of the household and all their immediate family. Everyone within the family unit is expected to rest.
"your male servant, nor your female servant": This extends the rest to include all servants or employees. The commandment ensures that those in positions of servitude also have a day to rest and are not compelled to work continuously.
"nor your livestock": Even animals are included in the Sabbath rest. This highlights a broader principle of compassion and recognizes the need for all living creatures to have a break from labor.
"nor your stranger who is within your gates": This includes any foreigners or visitors residing within the community. The Sabbath rest is extended to those who are not part of the immediate family or even the nation, emphasizing inclusiveness and hospitality.
In essence, this verse commands a complete cessation of work on the seventh day of the week for everyone within the community, encompassing family members, servants, animals, and even foreign residents. The purpose is to set aside a day for rest, reflection, and devotion to God, and to ensure that all members of society, regardless of their status, have the opportunity to participate in this rest.
Theological Implications:
Remembering Creation: The Sabbath is linked to God's rest after creating the world in six days (Genesis 2:2-3). By resting on the Sabbath, people symbolically participate in God's rest and acknowledge Him as the Creator.
Liberation from Slavery: In Deuteronomy 5:15, the Sabbath is also linked to the Israelites' liberation from slavery in Egypt. Keeping the Sabbath is a reminder of God's deliverance and a celebration of freedom.
Covenant Relationship: The Sabbath is a sign of the covenant between God and His people. By keeping the Sabbath, they demonstrate their commitment to God and His commandments.
Social Justice: The Sabbath promotes social justice by ensuring that even the most vulnerable members of society, such as servants and foreigners, have the opportunity to rest and be treated with dignity.
Different Interpretations:
The interpretation of this commandment and how it should be observed varies among different religious traditions. Some groups, like Orthodox Jews, maintain strict adherence to the traditional interpretations of what constitutes "work." Other groups, like many Christians, have different interpretations, often emphasizing the spirit of rest and worship rather than specific prohibitions against certain activities.