Exodus 23:12 kjv

Six days thou shalt do thy work, and on the seventh day thou shalt rest: that thine ox and thine ass may rest, and the son of thy handmaid, and the stranger, may be refreshed.

Exodus 23:12 nkjv

Six days you shall do your work, and on the seventh day you shall rest, that your ox and your donkey may rest, and the son of your female servant and the stranger may be refreshed.

Exodus 23:12 niv

"Six days do your work, but on the seventh day do not work, so that your ox and your donkey may rest, and so that the slave born in your household and the foreigner living among you may be refreshed.

Exodus 23:12 esv

"Six days you shall do your work, but on the seventh day you shall rest; that your ox and your donkey may have rest, and the son of your servant woman, and the alien, may be refreshed.

Exodus 23:12 nlt

"You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but on the seventh day you must stop working. This gives your ox and your donkey a chance to rest. It also allows your slaves and the foreigners living among you to be refreshed.

Exodus 23 verses

Exodus 23 12 Meaning

Exodus 23:12 establishes the weekly Sabbath, commanding six days for labor followed by a seventh day of complete cessation from work. The primary purpose stated for this rest is to provide refreshment and recuperation not only for the individual Israelite but also, and significantly, for their working animals (ox and donkey), their servants (the son of their female servant), and the sojourners (resident aliens) dwelling among them. It emphasizes a compassionate, inclusive, and mandated period of repose for all living beings under the householder's care.

Exodus 23 12 Context

Exodus 23:12 is situated within the "Book of the Covenant" (Exodus 20:22–23:33), which elaborates on the Ten Commandments given at Mount Sinai. Following the foundational laws (the Decalogue) in Chapter 20, Exodus 21-23 details a series of civil, social, and moral statutes. This section specifically addresses how Israel's life as a nation under God should reflect divine righteousness and compassion.

Chapter 23 begins with principles of justice, integrity in testimony, and ethical treatment even of enemies (vv. 1-9). It then introduces laws concerning the land's rest in the Sabbatical Year (vv. 10-11) before directly addressing the weekly Sabbath in verse 12. This verse reemphasizes and expands upon the Fourth Commandment (Exo 20:8-11). Unlike the version in Deuteronomy 5:12-15, which links the Sabbath to Israel's liberation from Egyptian bondage, the Exodus 20 and 23 versions primarily root it in God's creation rest.

The historical and cultural context is vital. In ancient Near Eastern societies, continuous, unrelenting labor was common. There was little to no concept of mandated rest periods for workers, slaves, or animals. God's command for the weekly Sabbath, therefore, presented a revolutionary social ethic. It provided a built-in "human rights" charter for the most vulnerable, reflecting Yahweh's unique character as a compassionate deity, distinct from the demanding gods of the surrounding nations and the exploitative Pharaoh who enslaved Israel. It served as a clear polemic against the pervasive culture of oppression and relentless toil prevalent in the ancient world, underscoring that all, including the marginalized and even beasts of burden, deserved respite.

Exodus 23 12 Word analysis

• Six days: (šēšeṯ yāmīm) - Refers to the duration allotted for ordinary labor. It establishes the rhythm and proportion for work, aligning with the creation week (Gen 1:3-31). This period acknowledges human responsibility for productivity and stewardship.
• you shall do your work: (taʿăśeh malʾaḵteḵā) - The verb ʿāśāh means "to do" or "to make." Melaʾkhah refers to gainful employment, occupation, or daily tasks, often involving skilled labor. This is an imperative, indicating the necessity and normalcy of labor in human existence.
• but on the seventh day: (ūḇayyōwm haššĕḇîʿî) - Specifies a distinct and consecrated period. The definite article "the" emphasizes its particularity and established place in the rhythm. "Seventh" marks its direct connection to God's pattern of creation.
• you shall rest: (tišbōṯ) - From the root šāḇaṯ, meaning "to cease," "to desist," "to stop," "to keep Sabbath." It's more than merely ceasing activity; it implies an intentional, divinely mandated cessation of labor. It’s the origin of the word "Sabbath."
• that: (lĕmaʿan) - A conjunctive particle introducing a purpose or result clause. It highlights the divine intent and beneficent outcome of the Sabbath observance.
• your ox and your donkey: (šōwreḵā wĕḥămōreḵā) - These were primary draft animals and beasts of burden in ancient Israel, essential for agriculture and transport. Their specific mention underscores God's direct concern for animal welfare, reflecting a compassion unique among ancient legal codes.
• may have rest: (yānūaḥ) - From the root nûaḥ, meaning "to settle down," "to rest," "to be quiet," "to be comfortable." This form of rest indicates physical repose, recuperation, and freedom from burden or toil.
• and the son of your female servant: (ūḇen-ʾămāṯeḵā) - "Female servant" (ʾāmāh) often denotes a household slave or bondwoman. The inclusion of her "son" indicates that the benefits of the Sabbath extend not only to the servant themselves but also to their offspring or family members within the household, emphasizing broad compassion for the vulnerable.
• and the sojourner: (wĕhaggēr) - The ger refers to a resident alien or foreigner living among the Israelites, lacking tribal kinship and often dependent. Their inclusion is a powerful demonstration of God's inclusive justice and the law's extension of compassion beyond ethnic or national boundaries.
• may be refreshed: (wĕyinnāfēš) - From the root nāfaš, meaning "to breathe," "to recover spirit," "to revive," "to be refreshed." It’s related to nephesh (soul, life-breath). This form of rest is deeper than mere physical repose (nûaḥ); it implies psychological, emotional, and spiritual revitalization—a breathing space for the soul. This same root is used to describe God "refreshing Himself" on the seventh day after creation (Exo 31:17).

Word-Group Analysis

• "Six days... but on the seventh day you shall rest": This phrase establishes the foundational pattern for Israel's weekly rhythm, mirroring God's creative activity. It contrasts the mandate for work with the mandate for cessation, ensuring a healthy balance and preventing relentless toil. This pattern is designed for human flourishing within the created order.
• "that your ox and your donkey may have rest, and the son of your female servant and the sojourner may be refreshed": This expands the scope of the Sabbath's blessing beyond the free Israelite. It showcases a radical ethical imperative that prioritizes the well-being of the entire household and community, including animals, domestic servants, and foreign residents. It underscores the compassionate character of God and His law, ensuring rest even for those who might otherwise be exploited or overlooked in human society. The progression from physical "rest" (nuach) for animals to "refreshment" (nafash) for humans indicates a deeper benefit, touching the inner person or spirit.

Exodus 23 12 Bonus section

The inclusive nature of the Sabbath, as depicted in Exodus 23:12, strongly functions as an anti-slavery mandate or an antidote to oppressive labor practices. Israel had recently been delivered from relentless, forced labor in Egypt. The command for universal rest serves as a constant reminder that no one, regardless of status (slave, foreigner), should suffer the perpetual toil experienced under Pharaoh. God, who brought them out of slavery, now commands a system that prevents such bondage within their own society.

The nuance between the two Hebrew words for "rest"—nûaḥ (for animals) and nāfaš (for servants and sojourners)—is significant. Nûaḥ implies a physical settling or resting. Nāfaš, however, carries a deeper connotation of spiritual or soul refreshment, directly linking to nephesh, "soul" or "life-breath." This suggests that the Sabbath offers more than just physical cessation; it's a profound spiritual re-invigoration for human beings, aligning with God's own "refreshment" (nāfaš) after His creation work (Exo 31:17). Thus, human rest mirrors divine rest, allowing for renewal of the whole being.

The establishment of this universal rest was economically challenging in an agrarian society dependent on continuous labor, highlighting that God's compassion and the well-being of all life superseded economic maximization. It teaches reliance on God's provision for six days' labor to suffice. This principle can be applied today in advocating for healthy work-life balances, challenging corporate cultures that demand burnout, and ensuring fair labor practices and care for the marginalized in modern society.

Exodus 23 12 Commentary

Exodus 23:12 encapsulates the profound social and theological dimensions of the Sabbath commandment within the "Book of the Covenant." While other passages emphasize the Sabbath's role as a covenant sign or a memorial of creation or liberation, this verse specifically highlights its compassionate purpose. It ensures that the divine rhythm of rest is extended to all members of society and even to working animals. This demonstrates a core biblical value: care for the vulnerable. The law provides respite not just for the Israelite master, but fundamentally for those dependent upon them – their beasts of burden, their servants (even the servants' children), and the often-marginalized sojourner. This radical inclusivity was revolutionary in the ancient world, distinguishing Israel's law from surrounding cultures that typically lacked such provisions for the lower strata of society. The command reflects God's own character of compassion and justice, indicating that true obedience extends to merciful treatment of others and stewardship of creation. The "refreshment" aspect points to the revitalizing effect of rest on body, mind, and spirit, enabling renewed capacity for life and labor in the subsequent work period. The Sabbath is not merely about cessation, but about renewal for the entire community, ensuring dignity and preventing exploitation.