Exodus 35:3 - Printer Friendly

ESV: You shall kindle no fire in all your dwelling places on the Sabbath day."

NIV: Do not light a fire in any of your dwellings on the Sabbath day."

NASB: You shall not kindle a fire in any of your dwellings on the Sabbath day.'

CSB: Do not light a fire in any of your homes on the Sabbath day."

NLT: You must not even light a fire in any of your homes on the Sabbath.'

KJV: Ye shall kindle no fire throughout your habitations upon the sabbath day.

NKJV: You shall kindle no fire throughout your dwellings on the Sabbath day.”

Exodus 35:1–3 repeats God's command that Israel observe a Sabbath day at the end of each week (Exodus 20:8–11). Moses delivers this reminder before explaining (Exodus 35—39) what He heard from God on Mount Sinai (Exodus 25—31).

The tabernacle-building project begins with a reminder about Sabbath-keeping. The subtext is that even temple-building work is still "work," and cannot be done on the Sabbath. Using nearly the exact same words from prior passages, Scripture records the people donating materials. Moses assigns Bezalel and Oholiab as project managers, training and overseeing as Israelites create sacred objects.

The Lord gave Moses extensive designs for the tabernacle (Exodus 25—31). He has just renewed the covenant (Exodus 34) broken by Israelite sin (Exodus 32). Now, Moses begins repeating these instructions to the people. The next several chapters will record Israel following God's directions closely, completing the sanctuary.

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.

Accessed 10/4/2025 11:36:33 PM