It shall be a sabbath of rest unto you, and ye shall afflict your souls, by a statute for ever.

LEVITICUS 16:31KJV
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Leviticus 16:31 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 16:31 mean?

Leviticus 16:31 tells the Israelites that the Day of Atonement is to be a special day of complete rest, like a sabbath, and that they are to "afflict" their souls—meaning to humble themselves, often understood as fasting—by a permanent law. This verse sets apart the Day of Atonement as a solemn, recurring observance requiring both rest and self-denial.

In this verse, God is speaking to Moses, giving instructions for the people of Israel about how to observe the Day of Atonement. The command includes not working and practicing self-denial, which was a way for the people to show humility and repentance before God. The verse emphasizes that this practice is not temporary but is to be observed "forever" as a lasting ordinance for the community.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 16:31

  • שַׁבָּת (shabbat; sabbath): This word means a day of rest or cessation from work. Here, it shows that the Day of Atonement is to be treated with the same seriousness as the weekly Sabbath, not just as another festival day.
  • עָנָה (anah; afflict): This verb means to humble or afflict, often by fasting or denying oneself pleasures. It highlights that the observance is not just about outward ritual but about inward humility and self-examination.
  • נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh; souls): This word refers to the whole person or life, not just the inner spirit. The command to "afflict your souls" means the entire person is involved in this act of humility, not just a feeling or thought.
  • חֻקָּה (chuqqah; statute): This word means a fixed, established law or ordinance. Its use here underlines that this command is not optional or temporary but meant to be a permanent part of Israel's worship.
  • עוֹלָם (olam; ever): This word means "forever" or "perpetually." It stresses the lasting nature of this command, showing that it is meant for all generations.

Why Leviticus 16:31 matters

  • Leviticus 16:31 clarifies that the Day of Atonement is not just another holiday but a day set apart with the same seriousness as the Sabbath, requiring both rest and self-denial.
  • The verse makes clear that humbling oneself is not just an emotional attitude but involves concrete actions, like fasting, that affect the whole person.
  • By calling this a "statute forever," the verse connects the Day of Atonement to the ongoing identity and spiritual life of the Israelite community, showing its central place in their relationship with God.

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.

“afflict” Hebrew H6031 · used in 80 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;
  • Judges 16:6 And Delilah said to Samson, Tell me, I pray thee, wherein thy great strength lieth, and wherewith thou mightest be bound to afflict thee.
  • Psalms 107:17 Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted.

“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.

“statute” Hebrew H2708 · used in 100 verses

  • Genesis 26:5 Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.
  • Numbers 9:3 In the fourteenth day of this month, at even, ye shall keep it in his appointed season: according to all the rites of it, and according to all the ceremonies thereof, shall ye keep it.
  • 2 Kings 23:3 And the king stood by a pillar, and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with all their heart and all their soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people stood to the covenant.