Deuteronomy 5 12

Deuteronomy 5:12 kjv

Keep the sabbath day to sanctify it, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee.

Deuteronomy 5:12 nkjv

'Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the LORD your God commanded you.

Deuteronomy 5:12 niv

"Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the LORD your God has commanded you.

Deuteronomy 5:12 esv

"'Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the LORD your God commanded you.

Deuteronomy 5:12 nlt

"Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the LORD your God has commanded you.

Deuteronomy 5 verses

Deuteronomy 5 12 Meaning

Deuteronomy 5:12 commands God's people to observe the Sabbath day and to keep it holy, exactly as the Lord their God had commanded them. This commandment calls for a special setting apart of one day in seven from ordinary activity for sacred rest and worship. It is presented as a direct, authoritative directive from God, establishing the Sabbath as a cornerstone of the covenant relationship.

Deuteronomy 5 12 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 5 serves as a profound recommitment ceremony, where Moses reiterates the Ten Commandments to the new generation of Israelites poised to enter the Promised Land. This restatement is not just a mere repetition but an interpretive retelling, emphasizing the foundational laws that define Israel's unique relationship with Yahweh. Unlike the initial giving at Sinai, which happened years prior to their parents, this address directly engages the generation who would inhabit the land. The immediate context of Deuteronomy 5:12, the Sabbath commandment, flows within the structure of the Decalogue, following the first three commandments that deal directly with allegiance to Yahweh alone and the prohibition of misuse of His name. Moses frames these commands as an unchanging standard given directly by God at Horeb (Sinai), stressing their eternal relevance for the people. Importantly, in Deuteronomy, the motivation for the Sabbath shifts from creation (Ex 20:11) to Israel's deliverance from Egyptian slavery (Deut 5:15), underscoring God's redemptive power and Israel's resultant freedom and obligation.

Deuteronomy 5 12 Word analysis

• Observe (שָׁמ֣וֹר - shamor): This is a strong imperative verb, meaning to "guard," "watch," "keep," or "preserve." It implies careful and attentive adherence, not merely intellectual assent but diligent practice. In the context of commandments, it stresses active obedience and safeguarding the sanctity of the Sabbath, much like guarding a treasure.
• the Sabbath day (אֶת־י֤וֹם הַשַּׁבָּת֙ - et-yom ha-shabbat):
  • Yom: Hebrew for "day."
  • Ha-Shabbat: "The Sabbath." Derived from the Hebrew root shavat (שָׁבַת), meaning "to cease," "to rest," or "to stop." It refers specifically to the seventh day. It denotes cessation from ordinary labor, not merely a pause but a cessation ordained by God.
• to keep it holy (לְקַדְּשֹׁ֔ו - le-qaddeshow): From the Hebrew root qadash (קָדַשׁ), meaning "to set apart," "to consecrate," or "to make sacred." It means treating the Sabbath as distinct and separate from the other six days, dedicating it for divine purposes, communion with God, and spiritual renewal, rather than for personal gain or ordinary pursuits.
• as the Lord your God commanded you (כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר צִוְּךָ֖ יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶֽיךָ׃ - ka'asher tziwka Yahweh Eloheka):
  • Ka'asher tziwka: "As He commanded you." This phrase strongly emphasizes the divine origin and authoritative nature of the commandment. It indicates that the instruction is not arbitrary or man-made, but a direct revelation from God Himself.
  • Yahweh: The covenant name of God, revealing Him as the faithful, unchanging God who relates personally with His people.
  • Eloheka: "Your God." Emphasizes the intimate and exclusive covenant relationship between God and Israel, making the command deeply personal and relational.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Observe the Sabbath day": This phrase encapsulates the core action required: active, deliberate, and regular setting aside of the seventh day. It highlights a recurring practice rather than a one-time event, indicating its fundamental role in the life of God's people.
• "to keep it holy": This describes the purpose and character of observing the Sabbath. It defines the day as sacred, requiring actions and attitudes distinct from mundane pursuits, devoted to spiritual engagement and honoring God. The holiness of the day extends to the conduct of those who observe it.
• "as the Lord your God commanded you": This segment establishes the divine imperative and foundational authority of the Sabbath command. It grounds the practice not in human tradition or convenience, but in the explicit, direct will of the covenant God, Yahweh. It ties this particular commandment directly back to the moment of covenant revelation at Sinai/Horeb, making it binding due to its divine origin and the nature of God's relationship with His people. This also hints at the motive provided in Deut 5:15 (redemption from Egypt), which makes the Sabbath a memorial of freedom granted by God.

Deuteronomy 5 12 Bonus section

• The difference in the motivation for the Sabbath in Exodus 20 (creation) and Deuteronomy 5 (redemption from Egypt) highlights the multi-faceted significance of this commandment. In Deuteronomy, the Sabbath underscores social justice and remembrance of liberation. It means that the Sabbath isn't merely a theological construct but also has profound ethical and social implications: Israel was to provide the same rest for their laborers and even animals, as they were once slaves who found rest and freedom in God.
• While primarily concerning a specific day of the week, the underlying principles of the Sabbath—trusting God's provision, seeking spiritual rest, honoring His authority, and showing compassion—transcend the physical day. For Christians, the "rest" spoken of in Hebrews 4 points to a deeper spiritual rest found in Christ, who is the Lord of the Sabbath and fulfills its prophetic types. The command to observe remains rooted in the divine principle of needing deliberate time set aside for God and for spiritual renewal, reminding us of His sovereignty over all time.
• The use of "your God" emphasizes the personal nature of the covenant. God isn't just a distant commander; He is their personal God, the one who rescued and sustained them. This makes the commandment a matter of intimate obedience born of gratitude.

Deuteronomy 5 12 Commentary

Deuteronomy 5:12 stands as a divine imperative for covenant faithfulness, reiterating the fourth commandment to the new generation entering Canaan. It transitions the Sabbath from a general principle to a specific covenant obligation rooted in divine authority. "Observe" (shamor) stresses careful attention and proactive guarding of the day's sanctity, more than just refraining from work; it implies an intentional setting aside for God. "Keep it holy" (qadash) signifies separating the day from common use, consecrating it for sacred purposes—rest, worship, reflection, and spiritual nourishment.

Crucially, the motivation in Deuteronomy for keeping the Sabbath is rooted in God's redemptive act of freeing Israel from Egyptian slavery (Deut 5:15). This contrasts with Exodus's creation motif (Ex 20:11), providing a deeply personal and experiential reason for observance: God provided them rest and freedom from bondage, so they, too, should extend that principle of rest to all in their household, including servants and livestock. The Sabbath thus becomes a weekly memorial of divine liberation and a social-ethical statement reflecting God's compassion and justice. It mandates not just physical cessation from labor, but also a shift in focus to God and the well-being of others, extending divine rest and dignity. This rest is a privilege and a witness, embodying the peace and order of God's creation and His provision.