Leviticus 23:3 - “‘Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation; you shall do no kind of work. It is a Sabbath to Yahweh in all your dwellings.
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What does "Leviticus 23:3" mean?
Leviticus 23:3 outlines a core principle of the Sabbath as observed by the Israelites. Let's break down what it means:
"Six days shall work be done..." This establishes the baseline: work is expected and permitted for six days of the week. This emphasizes the value of labor and productivity.
"...but on the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest..." This marks the seventh day (Saturday for those following a traditional Jewish calendar) as a special day distinct from the others. The word "Sabbath" itself comes from the Hebrew word meaning "to cease" or "to rest." It is intended to be a day of stopping regular labor. The addition of "solemn rest" emphasizes the seriousness and importance of the cessation.
"...a holy convocation..." This suggests that the Sabbath is not just a day of individual rest, but also a time for communal gathering and worship. "Holy convocation" refers to a sacred assembly or meeting. It's a time to come together as a community for religious purposes, such as prayer, study of scripture, and shared meals.
"...you shall do no kind of work..." This is a strict prohibition against engaging in any labor that would typically be done during the six working days. The specific types of work prohibited are elaborated upon elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible. The intention is to completely disengage from the demands and pressures of daily life.
"It is a Sabbath to Yahweh in all your dwellings." This underscores that the Sabbath is not just a day off, but an act of devotion to God (Yahweh is the Hebrew name for God). It's a day dedicated to honoring God and remembering God's covenant with Israel. "In all your dwellings" means that this observance applies to every Israelite, regardless of where they live. It is not something reserved for a specific place or group, but is a universal command for all Israelites in all their homes.
In essence, this verse mandates a weekly cycle of work and rest, with the Sabbath serving as a crucial day for:
Restoration: Physical and mental rejuvenation from the demands of labor.
Community: Shared worship and fellowship with others.
Remembrance: Remembering and honoring God.
Reorientation: Shifting focus from worldly concerns to spiritual ones.
This verse is a foundational text for the observance of the Sabbath in Judaism and has influenced the observance of Sunday as a day of rest in Christianity, although the interpretations and specific practices differ.
Leviticus 23:3 - “‘Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation; you shall do no kind of work. It is a Sabbath to Yahweh in all your dwellings.
What does "Leviticus 23:3" mean?
Leviticus 23:3 outlines a core principle of the Sabbath as observed by the Israelites. Let's break down what it means:
"Six days shall work be done..." This establishes the baseline: work is expected and permitted for six days of the week. This emphasizes the value of labor and productivity.
"...but on the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest..." This marks the seventh day (Saturday for those following a traditional Jewish calendar) as a special day distinct from the others. The word "Sabbath" itself comes from the Hebrew word meaning "to cease" or "to rest." It is intended to be a day of stopping regular labor. The addition of "solemn rest" emphasizes the seriousness and importance of the cessation.
"...a holy convocation..." This suggests that the Sabbath is not just a day of individual rest, but also a time for communal gathering and worship. "Holy convocation" refers to a sacred assembly or meeting. It's a time to come together as a community for religious purposes, such as prayer, study of scripture, and shared meals.
"...you shall do no kind of work..." This is a strict prohibition against engaging in any labor that would typically be done during the six working days. The specific types of work prohibited are elaborated upon elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible. The intention is to completely disengage from the demands and pressures of daily life.
"It is a Sabbath to Yahweh in all your dwellings." This underscores that the Sabbath is not just a day off, but an act of devotion to God (Yahweh is the Hebrew name for God). It's a day dedicated to honoring God and remembering God's covenant with Israel. "In all your dwellings" means that this observance applies to every Israelite, regardless of where they live. It is not something reserved for a specific place or group, but is a universal command for all Israelites in all their homes.
In essence, this verse mandates a weekly cycle of work and rest, with the Sabbath serving as a crucial day for:
Restoration: Physical and mental rejuvenation from the demands of labor.
Community: Shared worship and fellowship with others.
Remembrance: Remembering and honoring God.
Reorientation: Shifting focus from worldly concerns to spiritual ones.
This verse is a foundational text for the observance of the Sabbath in Judaism and has influenced the observance of Sunday as a day of rest in Christianity, although the interpretations and specific practices differ.