But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:

EXODUS 20:10KJV
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Exodus 20:10 (KJV)

What does Exodus 20:10 mean?

Exodus 20:10 commands that the seventh day is a sabbath day dedicated to the LORD God, during which no one in the household or community—including children, servants, animals, or foreigners living among them—is to do any work. This verse sets apart the seventh day as a day of complete rest for everyone within the community’s gates.

In this verse, God is speaking to the Israelites at Mount Sinai, giving them the Ten Commandments through Moses. The commandment is not just for individuals but extends to every person and even animals within the household or community. The instruction emphasizes that rest on the sabbath is meant to be universal, not just for the head of the household, but for all under their care or within their influence.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 20:10

  • שַּׁבָּת (shabbat): This word means "rest" or "ceasing." It highlights that the day is set apart specifically for stopping regular work, not just for worship but for actual rest from labor.
  • מְלָאכָה (melakhah): Translated as "work," this word often refers to occupational or productive labor. The command is not about avoiding all activity, but specifically the kind of work done for livelihood or daily tasks.
  • גֵּר (ger): This word means "stranger" or "sojourner," referring to non-Israelites living among the Israelites. The inclusion of the "stranger" shows that the commandment was intended to protect and benefit everyone in the community, not just Israelites.
  • שַּׁעַר (sha'ar): Translated as "gates," this word refers to the entrance to a town or household. Mentioning those "within your gates" expands the command to everyone residing under the authority or protection of an Israelite household or community.

Why Exodus 20:10 matters

  • Exodus 20:10 clarifies that the sabbath command is not just a personal practice but a communal one, ensuring rest for all, including the most vulnerable and even animals.
  • The verse emphasizes equality and compassion, showing that rest and refreshment are not privileges for a few but rights for all within the community, regardless of status or origin.
  • By including "strangers" and "cattle," Exodus 20:10 connects the sabbath command to broader themes of justice and mercy found throughout the law, highlighting God’s concern for the well-being of every living being.

Where else these words appear

“maidservant” Hebrew H519 · used in 49 verses

  • Genesis 20:17 So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children.
  • Deuteronomy 5:14 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; that thy manservant and thy maidservant may rest as well as thou.
  • 1 Samuel 25:41 And she arose, and bowed herself on her face to the earth, and said, Behold, let thine handmaid be a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord.

“stranger” Hebrew H1616 · used in 83 verses

  • Genesis 15:13 And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;
  • Leviticus 25:47 And if a sojourner or stranger wax rich by thee, and thy brother that dwelleth by him wax poor, and sell himself unto the stranger or sojourner by thee, or to the stock of the stranger's family:
  • Deuteronomy 27:19 Cursed be he that perverteth the judgment of the stranger, fatherless, and widow. And all the people shall say, Amen.

“sabbath” Hebrew H7676 · used in 89 verses

  • Exodus 16:23 And he said unto them, This is that which the LORD hath said, To morrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the LORD: bake that which ye will bake to day, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning.
  • Leviticus 26:43 The land also shall be left of them, and shall enjoy her sabbaths, while she lieth desolate without them: and they shall accept of the punishment of their iniquity: because, even because they despised my judgments, and because their soul abhorred my statutes.
  • Nehemiah 13:22 And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy.

“seventh” Hebrew H7637 · used in 94 verses

  • Genesis 2:2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
  • Leviticus 23:24 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation.
  • 1 Kings 18:44 And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not.