Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be to you an holy day, a sabbath of rest to the LORD: whosoever doeth work therein shall be put to death.

EXODUS 35:2KJV
Know the Bible

Exodus 35:2 (KJV)

What does Exodus 35:2 mean?

Exodus 35:2 commands the Israelites to work for six days but to set aside the seventh day as a holy day of rest dedicated to the LORD, warning that anyone who works on this day must be put to death. This verse highlights the seriousness of keeping the Sabbath as a sacred and non-negotiable command.

Moses is speaking to the whole community of Israel as they prepare to build the tabernacle. The verse sets a strict boundary: even important work like constructing the sanctuary must stop for the Sabbath. The command shows that rest on the seventh day is not just a suggestion but a central part of Israel’s relationship with God, marked by both its holiness and the severe penalty for breaking it.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 35:2

  • שַׁבָּת (shabbat, H7676): This word means "Sabbath," referring to the seventh day set apart for rest. It emphasizes the idea of stopping regular work as an act of devotion.
  • מְלָאכָה (melakhah, H4399): This word means "work" or "occupation." It refers specifically to labor or tasks, not just any activity, highlighting that the command is about ceasing productive or occupational work.
  • קֹדֶשׁ (qodesh, H6944): This word means "holy" or "set apart." The Sabbath is not just a day off but a day made distinct for God.
  • מוֹת יוּמָת (mot yumat, H4191): This phrase means "shall be put to death." The use of this phrase underlines the extreme seriousness with which Sabbath-breaking was viewed in ancient Israel.

Why Exodus 35:2 matters

  • Exodus 35:2 clarifies that the Sabbath command applied even during major religious projects, showing that obedience to God’s rhythm of work and rest took priority over even the most important tasks.
  • The verse’s strong language about the death penalty shows how central Sabbath observance was to Israel’s identity and covenant with God, not just as a legal rule but as a sign of their relationship.
  • By placing this command at the start of instructions for building the tabernacle, the text connects worship of God not only to sacred space but also to sacred time, teaching that both are essential in Israel’s faith.

Where else these words appear

“rest” Hebrew H7677 · used in 10 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 23:3 Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings.
  • Leviticus 23:39 Also in the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when ye have gathered in the fruit of the land, ye shall keep a feast unto the LORD seven days: on the first day shall be a sabbath, and on the eighth day shall be a sabbath.

“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.

“work” Hebrew H4399 · used in 149 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.
  • Numbers 29:1 And in the seventh month, on the first day of the month, ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work: it is a day of blowing the trumpets unto you.
  • 2 Chronicles 24:13 So the workmen wrought, and the work was perfected by them, and they set the house of God in his state, and strengthened it.