Genesis 2:3 - God blessed the seventh day, and made it holy, because he rested in it from all his work of creation which he had done.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Genesis 2:3" mean?
Genesis 2:3 is a foundational verse for understanding the concept of the Sabbath in Judaism and Christianity. Let's break down what it means:
"God blessed the seventh day...": This implies a unique favor or special quality bestowed upon the seventh day. Blessing in the Bible often indicates empowerment and fruitfulness. So, God is imbuing the seventh day with a special potential for goodness and benefit.
"...and made it holy...": To "make something holy" (sanctify or consecrate) means to set it apart for a specific, sacred purpose. The seventh day is being designated as distinct from the other days of the week. It's being declared as something special and dedicated to God.
"...because he rested in it from all his work of creation which he had done.": This explains the reason for the blessing and sanctification. God's resting on the seventh day is not because He was tired or needed to recuperate. Instead, it signifies the completion and perfection of creation. God ceased from creating, not from sustaining. Resting signifies the completion of creation. This is where interpretations differ. Some believe God literally needed to rest as humans do from labor, while others feel he simply ceased creation to admire and enjoy his work. The focus is on reflecting on the created world and our relationship with God.
Therefore, putting it all together, Genesis 2:3 means:
God singled out the seventh day after creation as a special day, filled with divine blessing and made it holy, because it symbolized the completion of His creative work and the invitation to rest and reflect on God and His creation.
Here's a deeper dive into some key aspects:
The Sabbath as a Memorial of Creation: The Sabbath is seen as a weekly reminder of God's creative power and His ownership of all things. By resting on the Sabbath, people acknowledge God as the creator and sustainer of life.
The Sabbath as a Time of Rest and Reflection: The verse implies that the Sabbath should be a time of rest from ordinary labor, allowing people to focus on God, reflect on His blessings, and cultivate a deeper relationship with Him.
The Sabbath as a Sign of the Covenant: In Judaism, the Sabbath is also seen as a sign of the covenant between God and the Israelites (Exodus 31:13-17).
Different Interpretations: Interpretations of this verse vary across different religious traditions. Some emphasize the importance of strict adherence to Sabbath laws, while others focus on the underlying principles of rest, reflection, and relationship with God.
In short, Genesis 2:3 establishes the significance of the seventh day (Sabbath) as a blessed, holy day set apart by God to commemorate creation, encourage rest and reflection, and deepen the relationship between God and humanity.
Genesis 2:3 - God blessed the seventh day, and made it holy, because he rested in it from all his work of creation which he had done.
What does "Genesis 2:3" mean?
Genesis 2:3 is a foundational verse for understanding the concept of the Sabbath in Judaism and Christianity. Let's break down what it means:
"God blessed the seventh day...": This implies a unique favor or special quality bestowed upon the seventh day. Blessing in the Bible often indicates empowerment and fruitfulness. So, God is imbuing the seventh day with a special potential for goodness and benefit.
"...and made it holy...": To "make something holy" (sanctify or consecrate) means to set it apart for a specific, sacred purpose. The seventh day is being designated as distinct from the other days of the week. It's being declared as something special and dedicated to God.
"...because he rested in it from all his work of creation which he had done.": This explains the reason for the blessing and sanctification. God's resting on the seventh day is not because He was tired or needed to recuperate. Instead, it signifies the completion and perfection of creation. God ceased from creating, not from sustaining. Resting signifies the completion of creation. This is where interpretations differ. Some believe God literally needed to rest as humans do from labor, while others feel he simply ceased creation to admire and enjoy his work. The focus is on reflecting on the created world and our relationship with God.
Therefore, putting it all together, Genesis 2:3 means:
God singled out the seventh day after creation as a special day, filled with divine blessing and made it holy, because it symbolized the completion of His creative work and the invitation to rest and reflect on God and His creation.
Here's a deeper dive into some key aspects:
The Sabbath as a Memorial of Creation: The Sabbath is seen as a weekly reminder of God's creative power and His ownership of all things. By resting on the Sabbath, people acknowledge God as the creator and sustainer of life.
The Sabbath as a Time of Rest and Reflection: The verse implies that the Sabbath should be a time of rest from ordinary labor, allowing people to focus on God, reflect on His blessings, and cultivate a deeper relationship with Him.
The Sabbath as a Sign of the Covenant: In Judaism, the Sabbath is also seen as a sign of the covenant between God and the Israelites (Exodus 31:13-17).
Different Interpretations: Interpretations of this verse vary across different religious traditions. Some emphasize the importance of strict adherence to Sabbath laws, while others focus on the underlying principles of rest, reflection, and relationship with God.
In short, Genesis 2:3 establishes the significance of the seventh day (Sabbath) as a blessed, holy day set apart by God to commemorate creation, encourage rest and reflection, and deepen the relationship between God and humanity.