Exodus 31 14

Exodus 31:14 kjv

Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.

Exodus 31:14 nkjv

You shall keep the Sabbath, therefore, for it is holy to you. Everyone who profanes it shall surely be put to death; for whoever does any work on it, that person shall be cut off from among his people.

Exodus 31:14 niv

"?'Observe the Sabbath, because it is holy to you. Anyone who desecrates it is to be put to death; those who do any work on that day must be cut off from their people.

Exodus 31:14 esv

You shall keep the Sabbath, because it is holy for you. Everyone who profanes it shall be put to death. Whoever does any work on it, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.

Exodus 31:14 nlt

You must keep the Sabbath day, for it is a holy day for you. Anyone who desecrates it must be put to death; anyone who works on that day will be cut off from the community.

Exodus 31 verses

Exodus 31 14 Meaning

Exodus 31:14 establishes the Sabbath as a divine and inviolable covenant sign, asserting its sanctity. It commands strict observance of the Sabbath, declaring that any person who profanes it, whether by doing forbidden work or desecrating its holiness in any manner, shall be liable to capital punishment or expulsion from the community. This verse underscores the extreme seriousness of Sabbath-breaking as a direct transgression against God's covenant with Israel.

Exodus 31 14 Context

Exodus chapter 31 follows directly from God's detailed instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings (chapters 25-30). In the midst of commissioning the skilled craftsmen Bezalel and Oholiab for this great work, God reiterates the foundational command of the Sabbath. This strategic placement emphasizes that even the most sacred work for God's glory—building His dwelling place—must not supersede the absolute holiness and non-negotiable observance of the Sabbath. Historically and culturally, the Sabbath distinguished Israel from surrounding nations, who often labored continuously. The strict penalties in this verse underscored that Sabbath observance was not merely a ceremonial duty but a core identifier of their covenant relationship with Yahweh and a test of their loyalty. It was a polemic against continuous labor or worship of other gods that demanded relentless work.

Exodus 31 14 Word analysis

• Therefore you shall keep: (וְשָׁמַרְתֶּם) v'shamartem - The verb shamar means to guard, observe, watch over, protect. It implies active, careful preservation and obedience. The "therefore" connects the Sabbath command to the preceding discourse on the Tabernacle, showing its foundational importance.
• the Sabbath: (הַשַּׁבָּת) ha-Shabbat - From the root shavat, meaning to cease, rest, or desist. It refers to the seventh day, consecrated as a day of complete rest from labor, distinct from ordinary days. It is not merely a day off, but a sacred cessation commanded by God.
• for it is holy to you: (קֹדֶשׁ הִוא לָכֶם) qodesh hi la-chem - Qodesh means "set apart," "sacred," "consecrated." The phrase highlights that its holiness is for them, emphasizing its beneficial nature as a special divine gift, yet requiring the people's respect for its sacred status. It is not just holy in itself, but made holy for and to the people for their blessing and distinct identity.
• Everyone who profanes it: (מְחַלְלֶיהָ) m'challeyha - From the root chalal, meaning to pierce, profane, desecrate, make common. To "profane" the holy Sabbath is to treat it as ordinary, thereby defiling its sacred character and violating its set-apart nature. It is a severe act of disrespect towards God.
• shall be put to death: (מוֹת יוּמָת) mot yumāt - A Hebrew idiom expressing capital punishment. Literally, "dying, he shall die." This underscores the extreme gravity of the offense; it's an act so serious it warrants immediate and ultimate judgment by the community. It reflects the idea that such a transgression against God's direct command affects the entire community and defiles the land.
• For whoever does any work on it: (כִּי כָּל־הָעֹשֶׂה בָהּ מְלָאכָה) ki kol-ha-oseh vah melakhah - Specifies one key way the Sabbath is profaned: by doing forbidden "work" (melakhah). Melakhah refers to creative, purposeful labor or activity that is productive and results in something new or different. It excludes simple acts of life or necessity (like self-defense, Matt 12:11), but focuses on productive work. This specific example clarifies the nature of profaning the Sabbath.
• that soul shall be cut off from among his people: (וְנִכְרְתָה הַנֶּפֶשׁ הַהִיא מִקֶּרֶב עַמֶּיהָ) v'nikhr'tah ha-nefesh ha-hi mi-qerev ammeyha - Nikarāt (from karat) means "to cut off" or "to separate completely." "That soul" (nefesh) emphasizes the individual responsibility. This "cutting off" is a serious judicial or divine act, distinct from being "put to death," though it might sometimes be linked to it or imply a divine death. It could signify excommunication, expulsion from the community of Israel, or a direct divine judgment unto death. It signifies a loss of identity, privilege, and protection as part of God's covenant people.

Exodus 31 14 Bonus section

The Hebrew understanding of melakhah (work) on the Sabbath goes beyond mere physical exertion. It primarily refers to creative or purposeful activities that reflect humanity's dominion and mastery over creation, actions that imitate God's work of creation during the six days before His rest. This prohibition thus emphasizes humanity's creaturely status, distinguishing human creative endeavors from God's completed creation and the rest that followed. The Sabbath serves as a reminder that Israel’s ability to work and prosper is from God, and their ultimate dependence is on Him, not their own ceaseless labor. The severity of the penalty for violating the Sabbath indicates its unique theological status as a covenant sign and a testimony to God as Creator and Redeemer (Ex 31:13; Deut 5:15). In the broader biblical narrative, the Sabbath ultimately foreshadows a greater rest, a spiritual rest found in Christ (Heb 4:9-10), demonstrating God's provision for humanity's ultimate cessation from toils and finding fulfillment in Him.

Exodus 31 14 Commentary

Exodus 31:14 highlights the Sabbath's absolute importance in the Mosaic covenant. While God is detailing intricate instructions for the Tabernacle, a place for His dwelling, He interrupts this discourse to underscore that His people must not neglect the Sabbath even for urgent religious work. The verse makes two core statements regarding the severe consequences of Sabbath breaking: "shall be put to death" and "shall be cut off." The first denotes capital punishment administered by human authorities (as exemplified in Num 15:32-36). The second, "cut off," is broader and can refer to divine judgment leading to early death, excommunication, or removal from the covenant community and its blessings. This dual warning emphasizes that Sabbath desecration was not a minor infraction but a grave act of rebellion against God, compromising the very foundation of their covenant identity. It reflects that the Sabbath was more than a legalistic day; it was a visible sign of God's work of creation and redemption, sanctifying His people and setting them apart. Failure to observe it was tantamount to rejecting the sign of their relationship with Yahweh. Practically, it teaches that obedience to God's commands, especially those concerning sacred time and rest, takes precedence even over seemingly important tasks. It points to a need for discerning when work ends and rest begins, for rest is itself a form of worship and trust in God's provision.