Jeremiah 17 22

Jeremiah 17:22 kjv

Neither carry forth a burden out of your houses on the sabbath day, neither do ye any work, but hallow ye the sabbath day, as I commanded your fathers.

Jeremiah 17:22 nkjv

nor carry a burden out of your houses on the Sabbath day, nor do any work, but hallow the Sabbath day, as I commanded your fathers.

Jeremiah 17:22 niv

Do not bring a load out of your houses or do any work on the Sabbath, but keep the Sabbath day holy, as I commanded your ancestors.

Jeremiah 17:22 esv

And do not carry a burden out of your houses on the Sabbath or do any work, but keep the Sabbath day holy, as I commanded your fathers.

Jeremiah 17:22 nlt

Do not do your work on the Sabbath, but make it a holy day. I gave this command to your ancestors,

Jeremiah 17 verses

Jeremiah 17 22 Meaning

Jeremiah 17:22 declares a prohibition against carrying goods out of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. This command emphasizes the sacredness of the Sabbath as a day set apart for rest and worship, distinguishing it from ordinary workdays. The verse underscores a covenantal responsibility and a public demonstration of devotion to the LORD by obeying this commandment.

Jeremiah 17 22 Context

Jeremiah 17 is a powerful oracle delivered during a critical period for Judah. The nation was facing imminent destruction due to its pervasive sinfulness, particularly its idolatry and injustice. Jeremiah, known as the "weeping prophet," was commissioned to pronounce judgment and call the people to repentance. In this chapter, Jeremiah contrasts the blessedness of those who trust in the LORD with the curse upon those who forsake Him. The specific verse 17:22 arises from a broader instruction to Jeremiah regarding the sanctity of the Sabbath. He was commanded to stand at the gates of Jerusalem and deliver messages to the people, both royalty and commoners, emphasizing that their disobedience, including the desecration of the Sabbath, was a direct cause of God's impending wrath and the destruction of their city and temple. This instruction reflects the covenantal stipulations given at Mount Sinai, where the Sabbath was a sign of the covenant between God and Israel.

Jeremiah 17 22 Word Analysis

• לֹא (Lo): "No," "not." A straightforward negative particle.
• תּוֹצִ֧יאוּ (Totsi'u): "You shall bring out," "you shall carry out." From the root יצא (yatsa), meaning "to go out," "to come out," "to bring out." In the piel (causative) stem, it implies causing something to come forth or outward movement. This highlights an active transgression, not passive neglect.
• מַשָּׂ֥א (Massa'): "Burden," "load," "carrying," "that which is carried." Derived from the root נשא (nasa'), meaning "to lift," "to carry," "to bear." It refers to merchandise or any cargo being transported.
• מִבָּתֵּיכֶ֑ם (Mibatteykhem): "From your houses," "from your dwellings." The preposition מִן (min) signifies "from," and בָּתִּים (battim) is the plural of בַּיִת (bayit), meaning "house" or "dwelling." This specifies the origin of the items being removed from private residences.
• וּבְי֥וֹם (Uveyom): "And on the day." The conjunction וְ (ve) means "and," and יוֹם (yom) means "day." This connects the prohibition to a specific temporal marker.
• הַשַּׁבָּ֖ת (HaShabbat): "The Sabbath." The definite article הַ (ha) emphasizes "the" Sabbath day, referring to the divinely ordained day of rest. This word itself signifies a "cessation," a "rest," rooted in the act of God resting after creation.
• כִּי־אִם־ (Ki'im): "But," "except." This phrase functions as an exception or a stronger negation, essentially reinforcing the prohibition: "not at all, except that..." However, in this context, it acts as a strong negative, similar to "rather" or simply strengthening the preceding "not." It negates the possibility of carrying out any load.
• תּוֹצִ֧יאוּ (Totsi'u): "You shall bring out," "you shall carry out." Same word as before, emphasizing the direct prohibition for the second time, possibly for intensification or clarity.

Words-group analysis:

• "לא תוציאו משא מבתיכם": This phrase vividly portrays the act of commercial activity or any unauthorized movement of goods on the Sabbath. It’s not merely about stopping work but actively preventing the transport of any "load" or "burden" out of their designated dwelling places. This signifies that even domestic items, if moved as a burden, are subject to this restriction.
• "וביום השבת כי אם תוציאו": This combination powerfully restates and strengthens the prohibition. The "and on the Sabbath" clearly marks the day, while "but/except you shall bring out" with the repeated verb for "bring out" underscores the absolute nature of the command for that specific day. It closes the door to any exceptions or justifications for carrying loads on the Sabbath.

Jeremiah 17 22 Bonus Section

The commandment concerning the Sabbath is deeply rooted in God's own actions and is presented as a sign of the covenant relationship between God and Israel (Exodus 31:13). Jeremiah's contemporary context reveals that while the Mosaic Law was the foundation, its practical observance was waning, leading to the dire warnings of judgment. The message to Jeremiah emphasizes that faithfulness to God included upholding His Sabbaths, as detailed in the Law. The transgression mentioned here goes beyond simple rest; it involves actively engaging in commercial activity, the antithesis of what the Sabbath was meant to be—a holy convocation and a day of rest for the people, livestock, and even the land itself (Leviticus 23:3). The New Testament, particularly through the teachings of Jesus and the practice of the early church, clarifies the spiritual significance of the Sabbath, viewing the rest it represented as fulfilled in Christ, while maintaining principles of rest, worship, and abstaining from worldly occupations on the day set aside for the Lord (often understood as Sunday for Christians).

Jeremiah 17 22 Commentary

Jeremiah 17:22 reiterates a core principle of Mosaic Law regarding Sabbath observance, emphasizing that it was not to be a day for business or transport of goods. The prophet's instruction to the people was to cease all secular labor and commerce, including moving merchandise or burdens from their homes. This was a public affirmation of the sanctity of the Sabbath and their allegiance to God. The command was a direct response to a prevalent practice of economic activity that would have been happening on the very day set apart for rest and worship. This practice demonstrated a lack of reverence for God's day and a prioritization of material gain over spiritual devotion. The prophet’s forceful reiteration points to the grave spiritual implications of such disregard for God's commands, which would ultimately lead to judgment. In essence, the verse calls for a holistic approach to Sabbath keeping—one that encompasses cessation of labor, restraint from commerce, and a focus on spiritual activities and communion with God.

Practical Usage Examples:

• A family ensuring all purchases are completed before the Sabbath begins.
• A community collectively agreeing not to conduct business or any delivery services on the Sabbath.
• An individual consciously refraining from moving heavy items or conducting transactions, even if seemingly minor, from their home on the Sabbath.