And on the seventh day ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work.

NUMBERS 28:25KJV
Know the Bible

Numbers 28:25 (KJV)

What does Numbers 28:25 mean?

Numbers 28:25 commands the Israelites to gather for a special sacred assembly on the seventh day and to refrain from doing any ordinary work. This instruction sets apart the seventh day of the festival as a day of rest and worship, not for regular labor.

In this verse, God is speaking to Moses, who is then to instruct the people of Israel about their responsibilities during the festival of Unleavened Bread. The "holy convocation" means a gathering for worship, and "no servile work" means abstaining from routine, work-related tasks. This verse highlights the importance of setting aside time for communal worship and rest during significant religious observances.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 28:25

  • "Holy" (קָדוֹשׁ, qadosh): This word means "set apart" or "sacred." The day is not just a break from work but is dedicated to God.
  • "Convocation" (מִקְרָא, miqra): This means an assembly or gathering, emphasizing that the people were to come together for worship, not just rest individually.
  • "Servile" (עֲבֹדָה, avodah): This word refers to labor or work done as a servant. The restriction is not on all activity, but specifically on ordinary, work-related tasks.

Why Numbers 28:25 matters

  • Numbers 28:25 clarifies that not every day of the festival was a Sabbath, but the seventh day was to be observed with special rest and worship.
  • The verse emphasizes the communal aspect of Israel's worship, requiring everyone to gather together, not just observe privately.
  • This instruction connects to the larger section in Numbers 28, which details the regular and special offerings, showing how rest and worship were woven together in Israel’s religious life.

Where else these words appear

“convocation” Hebrew H4744 · used in 22 verses

  • Exodus 12:16 And in the first day there shall be an holy convocation, and in the seventh day there shall be an holy convocation to you; no manner of work shall be done in them, save that which every man must eat, that only may be done of you.
  • 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.
  • 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:

“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 23:16 Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD.
  • 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.

“servile” Hebrew H5656 · used in 125 verses

  • Genesis 29:27 Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years.
  • Numbers 4:30 From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old shalt thou number them, every one that entereth into the service, to do the work of the tabernacle of the congregation.
  • 1 Chronicles 23:26 And also unto the Levites; they shall no more carry the tabernacle, nor any vessels of it for the service thereof.

“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.