Exodus 31 16

Exodus 31:16 kjv

Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant.

Exodus 31:16 nkjv

Therefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant.

Exodus 31:16 niv

The Israelites are to observe the Sabbath, celebrating it for the generations to come as a lasting covenant.

Exodus 31:16 esv

Therefore the people of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, observing the Sabbath throughout their generations, as a covenant forever.

Exodus 31:16 nlt

The people of Israel must keep the Sabbath day by observing it from generation to generation. This is a covenant obligation for all time.

Exodus 31 verses

Exodus 31 16 Meaning

Exodus 31:16 declares the Sabbath as an enduring covenant between God and the nation of Israel. It mandates perpetual observance of the Sabbath by all generations as a sign of this perpetual, everlasting agreement. The verse emphasizes that keeping the Sabbath is not merely an optional practice but a foundational commitment, distinguishing Israel as God’s chosen people, marked by a holy pause in acknowledgment of divine sovereignty and their unique relationship with the Creator.

Exodus 31 16 Context

Exodus 31:16 is situated within the broader context of God's comprehensive instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary for His presence among Israel. Immediately following God’s detailed selection and empowerment of Bezalel and Oholiab to lead and execute the skilled craftsmanship required for the Tabernacle (Exo 31:1-11), the focus abruptly shifts back to the Sabbath commandment (Exo 31:12-17). This abrupt pivot underscores the preeminence and non-negotiable nature of Sabbath observance, even amidst the paramount task of building God's dwelling place. It served as a divine reminder that while earthly endeavors are important, the honoring of God's holy time takes precedence, affirming that their relationship with YHWH, marked by obedience to His commands, was superior to all their works. Historically and culturally, the Sabbath distinguished Israel sharply from surrounding pagan nations, who largely viewed labor as ceaseless. By instituting a day of mandated rest and consecration, God not only demonstrated His providential care, ensuring rest even from necessary labor, but also provided a unique identifier of His covenant people in a world that typically measured worth by productive output. This practice also stood as a direct polemic against the relentless servitude they had experienced in Egypt and the prevailing societal norms that deified human effort.

Exodus 31 16 Word analysis

• Therefore (לָכֵן - lakhen): This conjunctive particle signifies a conclusion drawn from what has just been stated. It bridges the preceding detailed instructions for the Tabernacle’s construction (Exo 31:1-11) with the Sabbath command, implying that despite the magnitude and sacredness of building God's dwelling, the Sabbath remains supreme and must not be violated, even for sacred work. It points to a divine priority.

• the children of Israel (בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל - benei Yisra'el): Refers collectively to the entire nation of Israel, emphasizing the communal responsibility for Sabbath observance. This covenant stipulation applies to all members of the covenant community, regardless of status or occupation. It underscores their unique identity and calling as a nation set apart.

• shall keep (יִשְׁמְרוּ - yishmeru): Derived from the verb "שָׁמַר" (shamar), meaning "to guard," "to observe," "to preserve," or "to protect." This implies an active and conscious effort to uphold the command, to diligently safeguard the Sabbath's sanctity from any infringement or neglect. It's not passive acknowledgment but active obedience.

• the Sabbath (הַשַּׁבָּת - haShabbat): The definite article "הַ" (ha) signifies the specific, distinct, and unique Sabbath day instituted by God. Its root "שבת" (shabbat) means "to cease" or "to rest," highlighting its fundamental character as a cessation from ordinary labor and an entry into divine rest. It is intrinsically tied to God’s own resting after creation.

• to observe the Sabbath (לַעֲשׂוֹת אֶת הַשַּׁבָּת - la'asot et haShabbat): This repetition using the infinitive construct from "עָשָׂה" (asah), meaning "to do" or "to make," strengthens the imperative. It goes beyond simply refraining from work; it denotes actively "making" or "performing" the Sabbath requirements, turning it into a tangible, practiced reality. It implies a structured and intentional way of life.

• throughout their generations (לְדֹרֹתָם - ledorotam): This phrase emphasizes the enduring and perpetual nature of the command. It's not limited to the present generation of Israelites but extends indefinitely to all future descendants, signifying its permanent status within the covenant relationship. It speaks to the trans-generational validity of the commandment.

• for a perpetual covenant (בְּרִית עוֹלָם - berit 'olam): This is a profound and weighty declaration.

  • covenant (בְּרִית - berit): A binding agreement or solemn compact, establishing a relationship with specific obligations and promises. Here, it defines the very bond between God and Israel. The Sabbath is thus elevated to the status of a covenantal sign, a symbol of their sacred bond.
  • perpetual (עוֹלָם - 'olam): Meaning "eternal," "everlasting," or "forever." When used in relation to the Sabbath, it declares its enduring validity and non-temporary nature within the framework of God's dealings with His people. It points to an unending quality, mirroring God's own eternality.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "Therefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath": This opening establishes the direct, immediate, and mandatory obligation of the entire nation to actively uphold and protect the sanctity of the Sabbath. It is a fundamental expectation of their collective identity.
  • "to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations": This phrase intensifies the commitment by emphasizing its continuous and intergenerational nature. It implies a pattern of life and instruction passed down from parents to children, ensuring the practice is preserved for all time. It transforms the command into an ingrained cultural and spiritual heritage.
  • "for a perpetual covenant": This is the ultimate theological rationale. The Sabbath is not merely a rule for good order or rest but the very embodiment and sign of God's unbreakable and eternal covenant with Israel. It signifies their unique, enduring, and reciprocal relationship with YHWH, marking them as His chosen people in an everlasting bond. It suggests that neglecting the Sabbath would mean violating this fundamental covenant itself.

Exodus 31 16 Bonus section

The juxtaposition of the detailed Tabernacle instructions with the Sabbath command in Exodus 31 reflects a profound theological statement: While God commanded specific places and forms of worship (Tabernacle), the holiness of time (Sabbath) takes precedence over all. This hierarchical ordering emphasizes that ritualistic action, however sacred, must always be subsumed under the greater principle of direct obedience to God’s commands regarding life’s rhythms and consecration. The Sabbath acts as a constant, weekly covenant reminder that Israel belonged to God and that He was their sanctifier. In ancient cultures, rulers often designated days of rest, but the Mosaic Sabbath was unique in its divine origin and universal application across the social spectrum (including slaves and animals, Exo 23:12), highlighting God’s care for all and establishing a social justice principle often absent elsewhere. The repetition of the Sabbath command and its explicit connection to covenant underscores its unique significance among all 613 Mitzvot, serving as a comprehensive marker of faithfulness and a foretaste of the future perfect rest in God.

Exodus 31 16 Commentary

Exodus 31:16 serves as a climactic reaffirmation of the Sabbath’s paramount importance within the Mosaic covenant. Sandwiched between detailed instructions for building the Tabernacle, this verse acts as a crucial reminder: even the most sacred work for God, such as constructing His dwelling place, must yield to the sanctity of the Sabbath. The phrase "perpetual covenant" (ברִית עוֹלָם) elevates the Sabbath beyond a simple law, placing it on par with other everlasting promises like the Noahic and Abrahamic covenants. For Israel, observing the Sabbath was to acknowledge God’s completed work of creation and His redeeming work from slavery, symbolizing trust in His provision rather than reliance on human labor. It was a visible sign, distinguishing them as His people.

The emphasis on "keeping" (שָׁמַר - shamar) and "observing" (עָשָׂה - asah) signifies active, intentional participation. This wasn't passive adherence but a conscious dedication of time and a way of life that honored God’s set-apart day "throughout their generations," indicating its enduring, foundational role for every generation of Israel. In the New Testament, while Christ, as "Lord of the Sabbath" (Mk 2:28), redefined its interpretation from a legalistic burden to an expression of mercy and true rest, the underlying principles of honoring God and seeking rest persist. For believers, the Sabbath principle points to the ultimate spiritual rest found in Christ and serves as a pointer to the coming eternal Sabbath in His presence (Heb 4). It exemplifies a trust in God that transcends continuous worldly pursuits, providing both physical renewal and spiritual communion.