Neither carry forth a burden out of your houses on the sabbath day, neither do ye any work, but hallow ye the sabbath day, as I commanded your fathers.

JEREMIAH 17:22KJV
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Jeremiah 17:22 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 17:22 mean?

Jeremiah 17:22 tells the people not to carry any load out of their houses or do any work on the Sabbath day, but instead to keep the Sabbath day holy, just as God had commanded their ancestors. The verse is a reminder to honor the Sabbath by resting from regular labor and treating the day as special.

In this verse, the prophet Jeremiah is speaking to the people of Judah, warning them to obey God’s instructions about the Sabbath. The context is a time when the people were neglecting God’s laws, and Jeremiah is calling them back to faithfulness by highlighting a specific command that was being ignored. The focus is on practical actions—what not to do—and on remembering the original command given to their forefathers.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 17:22

  • "Burden" (מַשָּׂא, massa’): This word often refers to a physical load or something carried. Here, it emphasizes not just any work, but the kind of everyday labor that would normally be done on other days.
  • "Hallow" (קָדַשׁ, qadash): This means to set apart or make holy. The instruction is not only to avoid work, but to treat the Sabbath as a day distinct from the rest, dedicated to God.
  • "Commanded" (צָוָה, tsavah): This word highlights that this is not a new rule, but a reminder of what God had already told their ancestors.

Why Jeremiah 17:22 matters

  • Jeremiah 17:22 clarifies that Sabbath observance was not just about religious rituals, but involved concrete actions like refraining from carrying loads or doing ordinary work.
  • The verse connects the people’s present behavior with the longstanding covenant God made with their ancestors, showing that faithfulness is about continuity with God’s original instructions.
  • This verse helps explain why Sabbath-keeping became such a central issue in later Jewish tradition, and why breaking it was seen as a serious matter.

Where else these words appear

“burden” Hebrew H4853 · used in 60 verses

  • Exodus 23:5 If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under his burden, and wouldest forbear to help him, thou shalt surely help with him.
  • 2 Chronicles 17:11 Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents, and tribute silver; and the Arabians brought him flocks, seven thousand and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats.
  • Isaiah 22:25 In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall the nail that is fastened in the sure place be removed, and be cut down, and fall; and the burden that was upon it shall be cut off: for the LORD hath spoken it.

“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 26:35 As long as it lieth desolate it shall rest; because it did not rest in your sabbaths, when ye dwelt upon it.
  • Nehemiah 13:21 Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the sabbath.

“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 28:26 Also in the day of the firstfruits, when ye bring a new meat offering unto the LORD, after your weeks be out, ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work:
  • 2 Chronicles 24:12 And the king and Jehoiada gave it to such as did the work of the service of the house of the LORD, and hired masons and carpenters to repair the house of the LORD, and also such as wrought iron and brass to mend the house of the LORD.