Exodus 20:11 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

NIV: For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

NASB: For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea and everything that is in them, and He rested on the seventh day; for that reason the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

CSB: For the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and everything in them in six days; then he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and declared it holy.

NLT: For in six days the Lord made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.

KJV: For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

NKJV: For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.

When God created, He completed His work in six "days" (Genesis 2:1–3). On the seventh, He did no creative work. This is the model for the six-day work week followed by a day of rest (Exodus 16:22–23). The fourth of God's first Ten Commandments is for Israel to observe the seventh day as a time of rest. Every person and animal within an Israelite household—including guests—is to honor this day (Exodus 20:8–10).

Scripture establishes the Sabbath as an observation for the nation of Israel (Exodus 19:5–6), from Friday sundown until Saturday sundown (Genesis 1:5; Leviticus 23:3), to be set aside for rest (Mark 2:27). It was not changed to Sunday or reassigned to worship. Sabbath-keeping was only mandatory for those under the Mosaic covenant given at Sinai (Exodus 20:1). Current believers in Christ are not required to keep the Sabbath (Romans 14:5–6; Colossians 2:16–17).

The seventh day was "set apart." This is the basic concept of holiness: being distinct from everything else. Unlike the other six, the seventh day was designated for a special purpose. Many laws contained in the Mosaic covenant demonstrate Israel's unique status as God's chosen people (Deuteronomy 14:2). Distinctive diets (Deuteronomy 14:3–10), clothes (Leviticus 19:19), and rituals such as circumcision (Genesis 17:9–10) also set Israel apart from any other nation.

Exodus 20:1–17 contains the Ten Commandments: the foundational laws of the ancient nation of Israel. These provide a basis for every other Mosaic law (2 Chronicles 5:10). The laws prohibit worship of other gods, idolatry, blasphemy, perjury, theft, murder, adultery, and covetousness. They command Israelites to honor parents and observe a weekly Sabbath rest. Like the rest of the old covenant, these commandments will be "fulfilled" and no longer applicable after Christ's completed work (Galatians 4:4–5; Hebrews 8:8–13). However, all these rules, other than the command to observe the Sabbath, are repeated in Christ's teachings.

At Mount Sinai, God begins declaring the laws of His covenant with Israel. The first of these are the Ten Commandments. These establish core principles intended to guide the Lord's chosen people (Deuteronomy 7:6). Further details will come in other chapters and books. This chapter ends with specifics about altars and idols. The following chapters will address various social and civil issues (Exodus 21—23)

Centuries after being enslaved in Egypt (Exodus 1), Israel has been freed (Exodus 12). God leads the people across the Red Sea (Exodus 14) and into the wilderness of Sinai (Exodus 17—19). Here, He will give them laws which distinguish them from other nations. The first of these are the renowned Ten Commandments. The Lord will continue to provide details and statutes (Exodus 21—23) before confirming the covenant (Exodus 24) and establishing regulations for the tabernacle and priests (Exodus 25—31).

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.