Exodus 20:8 kjv

Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

Exodus 20:8 nkjv

"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

Exodus 20:8 niv

"Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.

Exodus 20:8 esv

"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

Exodus 20:8 nlt

"Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.

Exodus 20 verses

Exodus 20 8 Meaning

Exodus 20:8 commands God's people to "remember" and "keep holy" the Sabbath day. This means actively setting apart the seventh day as a sacred time for rest and devotion. It signifies a cessation from labor, reflecting God's own rest after creation, and serves as a covenant sign. This day is dedicated to remembering God as Creator and Redeemer, fostering physical, spiritual, and communal renewal.

Exodus 20 8 Context

Exodus chapter 20 presents the Decalogue, the Ten Commandments, delivered directly by God from Mount Sinai to the newly formed nation of Israel. These commands form the foundational laws of the Mosaic covenant, defining Israel's relationship with God and with each other. They begin with commands concerning reverence for God, distinguishing Israel from pagan nations, and then move to interhuman ethics. The Sabbath commandment (the fourth) follows commands against idolatry and taking God's name in vain, underscoring its profound theological importance as a sign of God's unique identity as Creator and His people's identity as those called to reflect His nature. Historically, Israel had just been freed from severe slavery in Egypt, where they knew no rest. The Sabbath provided a radical contrast, offering them regular cessation from forced labor, rooted in divine provision and liberty.

Exodus 20 8 Word analysis

• "Remember" (זָכוֹר - zakhor): This is more than a simple mental recollection; it signifies an active, deliberate, and sustained act of bringing to mind, recognizing, and commemorating. It implies observing or keeping a practice because of a significant past event. It compels ongoing adherence and not just a fleeting thought.
• "Sabbath" (שַׁבָּת - shabbat): Derived from the Hebrew verb meaning "to cease" or "to rest," indicating a deliberate stopping from labor. It is not merely leisure, but a holy cessation, a sacred break from the ordinary rhythm of work.
• "day" (יוֹם - yom): Refers to a specific 24-hour period, a literal day, specifically the seventh day of the week, following the pattern of creation.
• "to keep it holy" (לְקַדְּשׁוֹ - leqaddeshov): This means to set it apart, consecrate it, or dedicate it as sacred unto God. It transforms an ordinary day into one with divine significance, requiring reverence and specific, set-apart behavior, not just inactivity but holy activity (e.g., worship, spiritual reflection, acts of mercy).

Words-group analysis:

• "Remember the Sabbath day": This phrase connects the command directly to the act of creation, as established in Genesis 2:2-3. It also serves as a perpetual reminder of God's pattern for His people and His authority over time. It underscores the concept that the Sabbath is a long-standing principle, not just a new decree.
• "to keep it holy": This emphasizes the spiritual and consecrated nature of the Sabbath. It moves beyond merely resting to a purposeful observance where the day is devoted to God. It transforms passive inactivity into active reverence, communion with God, and practices that align with its sacred purpose. This holiness includes personal spiritual activities, family time, and corporate worship, but prohibits profane labor or pursuit of personal gain.

Exodus 20 8 Bonus section

The dual foundations for the Sabbath, seen in Exodus 20:11 (creation) and Deuteronomy 5:15 (redemption from slavery), reveal its rich theological depth. From creation, it signifies God's complete work and providential care. From redemption, it serves as a weekly reminder of liberation from bondage, promoting compassion and justice for all, including servants and foreigners. This underscores the Sabbath not merely as a legalistic duty, but a generous gift from God designed for the physical and spiritual well-being of humanity and for the establishment of a just society reflecting divine order. In New Testament theology, the concept of rest culminates in Christ, who is the "Lord of the Sabbath" and in whom believers find true rest from the burdens of sin and legalistic works, anticipating the ultimate eternal Sabbath-rest. This theological progression moves the focus from a strictly ritualistic day to a principle of holistic rest and devotion centered on the completed work of Jesus.

Exodus 20 8 Commentary

The command in Exodus 20:8, the fourth of the Ten Commandments, mandates a weekly observance of the Sabbath day, rooted in God's creative activity. It is a divine injunction to set apart the seventh day, consecrating it as holy to the Lord. This command offers more than just physical rest; it is an act of spiritual discipline, providing space to acknowledge God's sovereignty over all creation and time, and a distinct sign of the covenant between God and Israel. It protects humanity from endless toil and commercialism, allowing for refreshment and spiritual communion. While specific modes of observance have evolved for believers in Christ, the underlying principle of regularly setting apart time for God, worship, and spiritual renewal remains vital, pointing ultimately to the deeper spiritual rest found in Jesus and the eternal rest promised in God's kingdom. The Sabbath promotes justice and mercy, extending rest even to servants and animals.

Practical usage:

• Taking a deliberate weekly pause from ordinary work for spiritual refreshing.
• Prioritizing corporate worship and devotional time on a designated day.
• Engaging in activities that reflect reverence for God, such as reading Scripture or serving others in mercy, rather other than personal gain.