Exodus 31 13

Exodus 31:13 kjv

Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you.

Exodus 31:13 nkjv

"Speak also to the children of Israel, saying: 'Surely My Sabbaths you shall keep, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the LORD who sanctifies you.

Exodus 31:13 niv

"Say to the Israelites, 'You must observe my Sabbaths. This will be a sign between me and you for the generations to come, so you may know that I am the LORD, who makes you holy.

Exodus 31:13 esv

"You are to speak to the people of Israel and say, 'Above all you shall keep my Sabbaths, for this is a sign between me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I, the LORD, sanctify you.

Exodus 31:13 nlt

"Tell the people of Israel: 'Be careful to keep my Sabbath day, for the Sabbath is a sign of the covenant between me and you from generation to generation. It is given so you may know that I am the LORD, who makes you holy.

Exodus 31 verses

Exodus 31 13 Meaning

Exodus 31:13 emphasizes that the Sabbath is a distinctive and perpetual sign of God's unique covenant relationship with Israel. By keeping God's Sabbaths, Israel outwardly demonstrates its separation unto God, recognizing that it is the Lord Himself who sets them apart as His holy people. This act of Sabbath observance reveals the special bond and ongoing work of sanctification initiated and sustained by God for His chosen people throughout their generations.

Exodus 31 13 Context

Exodus chapter 31 falls within the section of the Torah where God gives detailed instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle, its furnishings, and the garments for the priesthood. This meticulous guidance (chapters 25-31) outlines how Israel is to prepare a sacred space for God's presence among them, facilitating worship and reconciliation. Significantly, the detailed instructions about the Tabernacle are abruptly interrupted by this command regarding the Sabbath (Exo 31:12-17). This interruption is not an arbitrary pause but highlights the paramount importance and priority of the Sabbath. It serves as a vital reminder that while outward acts of worship and service are commanded, they must never supersede or disregard the foundational covenant principle of Sabbath rest and recognition of God as the Sanctifier. It reaffirms the direct relationship between God and His people, symbolized by the Sabbath, as even more fundamental than the sacred rituals associated with the Tabernacle, indicating that genuine holiness and relationship with God are prerequisites for proper worship.

Exodus 31 13 Word analysis

• Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying,

  • This opening emphasizes divine mandate. Moses is merely the conveyor of God's direct command to His covenant people, the Israelites, indicating the importance and specificity of this message for them.

• Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep:

  • Verily (אַ֣ךְ, ʾakh): This Hebrew particle serves as an emphatic affirmation, often translated "surely," "only," or "indeed." It stresses the seriousness and non-negotiable nature of the command that follows. It's a divine declaration, not a suggestion.
  • my sabbaths (שַׁבְּתֹתַ֣י, shabbatotay): The plural form of Sabbath (Shabbat) here signifies not just the weekly Sabbath day, but also encompasses all the specific appointed "Sabbaths of the Lord" or "holy convocations" throughout the year (e.g., certain festivals like the Day of Atonement, or the Sabbath years), as outlined in Leviticus 23. This broader meaning implies that the principle of consecrated time for divine worship and rest extends beyond just the weekly cycle, covering all the set times God appointed for His people to cease from ordinary labor and focus on Him.
  • ye shall keep (תִּשְׁמֹ֑רוּ, tishmoru): From the root shamar (שָׁמַר), meaning "to guard," "to observe," "to protect," or "to keep watch over." It implies active, careful obedience, valuing the Sabbaths as precious and protecting their sanctity, rather than a mere passive abstention from work.

• for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations;

  • for it is (כִּֽי־הִ֥יא, ki-hi): Introduces the reason or purpose for the command, linking the keeping of the Sabbaths directly to its function as a sign.
  • a sign (א֖וֹת, ʾōṯ): A critical term in this verse. In biblical usage, an ʾōṯ (אוֹת) is more than just a symbol; it is a visible, tangible mark or token that signifies a relationship, a covenant, a warning, or a divine work (e.g., rainbow as a sign of covenant with Noah, Gen 9:12-17; circumcision as a sign of covenant with Abraham, Gen 17:11). The Sabbath functions as an identifying mark that clearly designates Israel as God's chosen, covenant people, distinguishing them from all other nations. It visibly portrays their unique dedication and loyalty to the Lord.
  • between me and you (בֵּינִ֖י וּבֵינֵיכֶ֑ם, bēynî ūvêynêkhem): Emphasizes the mutual, reciprocal nature of the covenant relationship. The sign serves to remind both parties – God of His people, and the people of their God and their covenant obligations.
  • throughout your generations (לְדֹרֹתֵיכֶ֑ם, lĕdōrōṯêḵem): Signifies the perpetual, unending nature of this command and covenant. The Sabbath observance is not temporary but extends to all future generations of Israel, underscoring its foundational importance in their identity and continuity as God's people.

• that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you.

  • that ye may know (לָדַ֙עַת֙, lādāʿat): Purpose clause indicating the intended outcome of observing the Sabbath sign. This "knowing" is not merely intellectual awareness but involves experiential, relational understanding and acknowledgment of God's character and power. Through their obedience to the Sabbath command, Israel would constantly be reminded of and confirm their identity derived from God's work.
  • that I am the Lord (כִּ֣י אֲנִ֤י יְהֹוָה֙, ki ʾani YHWH): "The Lord" here refers to YHWH, the personal, covenant name of God. This formula emphasizes God's supreme authority, unique identity, and covenant faithfulness. It reaffirms His sole identity as the God who initiated this relationship.
  • that doth sanctify you (מְקַדִּשְׁכֶֽם, mĕqaddĭshkem): From the verb qadash (קָדַשׁ), meaning "to be holy," "to set apart," or "to consecrate." Here, it's in the Piel participle form, meaning "the One who is setting you apart" or "making you holy." This highlights God as the active agent and source of Israel's holiness. It is not Israel's keeping of the Sabbath that makes them holy in an intrinsic sense, but rather their obedience to the sign demonstrates and acknowledges God's prior and ongoing work of separating them for His divine purpose. The Sabbath serves as a weekly reminder of God's holy character and His ongoing work in sanctifying His people, setting them apart from the surrounding nations as His own peculiar treasure.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign...": This phrase connects the commanded action (Sabbath observance) directly to its divinely ordained purpose (as a sign). The emphasis is on divine ownership ("my sabbaths") and the obligatory nature of the command.
  • "...a sign between me and you throughout your generations...": This defines the nature and duration of the Sabbath's role. It's a relational marker that spans all time, binding God to Israel and Israel to God in an unending covenant. It's an indelible mark of distinction and belonging.
  • "...that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you.": This reveals the profound theological objective of the Sabbath. It's for deep, experiential knowledge of God, not just His name, but His character and active role as the One who consecrates and sets His people apart. It’s an act of recognition and continuous theological education. The holiness of the people derives from God's holiness and His active work of sanctification.

Exodus 31 13 Bonus section

The interruption of the Tabernacle building instructions by the Sabbath commandment highlights a crucial biblical principle: devotion and spiritual priorities often outweigh or define physical constructs and rituals. The Sabbath was not just about physical rest; it was about acknowledging God's completed creation, His power as Creator, and His work as Sanctifier. It provided a regular, forced cessation from work, serving as a pedagogical tool to prevent Israel from forgetting YHWH in their labor and pursuits, a tendency observed among pagan nations who labored without designated times of rest or reflection on their deities' works. The Sabbath thus serves as a theological counter-cultural statement, emphasizing that true provision, purpose, and identity come from God, not from human effort or pagan deities. Furthermore, this covenant sign sets a precedent for how believers today are to recognize and live out their set-apart status in Christ (e.g., 1 Pet 2:9), reflecting His sanctifying work in their lives, understanding that spiritual rest in Him is ultimate fulfillment.

Exodus 31 13 Commentary

Exodus 31:13 firmly establishes the Sabbath as a divine imperative and a cornerstone of the covenant between YHWH and the nation of Israel. Far from being a mere legalistic obligation or a time for idleness, the observance of God's Sabbaths served a profound theological purpose: to visibly identify Israel as God's consecrated people and to foster in them a perpetual awareness that their unique status as a holy nation was solely due to God's active sanctifying power. This verse reveals God's self-revelation: "I am the Lord that doth sanctify you." By keeping the Sabbaths, Israel acknowledged His ownership, His holiness, and His work in setting them apart from the pagan nations, demonstrating their reliance on Him. It was a tangible weekly and annual reminder that their existence as a distinct, holy people was a divine work, not a human achievement.