The Meaning and Intent of the Sabbath Rest: An Exegetical Analysis of Exodus 20:8-11
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70619/vol5iss2pp49-59Keywords:
Remember, Sabbath, Work, Sanctify, BlessAbstract
This study examines the meaning and intent of the Sabbath rest. This study achieves this by conducting an exegetical analysis of Exodus 20:8-11. The Sabbath commandment obligated the Israelites to rest after laboring for six days. From the reviewed literature, it can be deduced that Exodus 20:8-11 reflects a deep theological, spiritual, and covenantal relationship between God and His people. This is further supported in Deuteronomy 5:12-15, which highlights the liberation of the Israelites from slavery bondage. The Sabbath, therefore, signifies not only resting but also a way to enhance the relationship between God and His people. The Sabbath serves as a constant reminder of God's sovereignty and ability to provide, thus encouraging trust in His care and fostering spiritual renewal by resting. Though the sabbath may not be observed in the same way as it was when it was instituted in the Old Testament, it will be argued in this article that, for the church and general society, the Sabbath provides a comprehensive model (frequency rhythm and object) for worshipping and community life, as well as advocacy for social justice and equality amongst all people.
References
Arnold, Bill T. “A Guide to Biblical Hebrew Syntax / Bill T. Arnold, John H. Choi. [Text],” January 1, 2003. https://research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=0dba093d-75a7-30df-8b54-527f7c853084.
Berman, Donna. “On Snowstorms and the Sabbath.” The Living Pulpit 7, no. 2 (December 31, 1998): 37–37.
Bradford, Charles E. “Sabbath Roots: The African Connection, a Biblical Perspective Charles E. Bradford.” Accessed February 17, 2025. https://research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=91b60d59-1e40-3447-b668-8ca25016c9c1.
Cassuto, Umberto. “A Commentary on the Book of Exodus. / Translated from the Hebrew by Israel Abrahams.,” January 1, 1967. https://research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=a304cfba-b62b-39bf-9014-d1861a0caf97.
Childs, Brevard S. “The Book of Exodus; a Critical, Theological Commentary / [by] Brevard S. Childs.,” January 1, 1974. https://research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=a8960717-ba4c-3df8-a92b-a4a63fd85b81.
Cockayne, Joshua, and Gideon Salter. “FEASTS OF MEMORY: COLLECTIVE REMEMBERING, LITURGICAL TIME TRAVEL AND THE ACTUALISATION OF THE PAST.” Modern Theology 37, no. 2 (December 31, 2021): 275–95. https://doi.org/10.1111/moth.12683.
Cohen, Gary G. “THE DOCTRINE OF THE SABBATH IN THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS,” n.d.
Dawn, Marva J. “Keeping the Sabbath Wholly : Ceasing, Resting, Embracing, Feasting / Marva J. Dawn.,” January 1, 1989. https://research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=08c848b7-d2b0-387a-be58-9d5a88b69ac3.
Hammer, Viva. “Sabbath Alone.” First Things 267 (December 31, 2016): 19–21.
Haynes, Matthew, and P. Paul Krüger. “Creation Rest: Exodus 20:8-11 and the First Creation Account.” Old Testament Essays 31, no. 1 (2018): 90–113. https://doi.org/10.17159/2312-3621/2018/v31n1a6.
Jassen, Alex. “Tracing the Threads of Jewish Law: The Sabbath Carrying Prohibition from Jeremiah to the Rabbis.” Annali Di Storia Dell’Esegesi 28, no. 1 (December 31, 2011): 253–78.
King, Joshua. “Sabbath Keeping as Metaphor in the Gospel of Thomas.” The Catholic Biblical Quarterly 81, no. 4 (December 31, 2019): 641–56.
Kretzmer-Raziel, Yoel, Yoel Kretzmer-Raziel, and יואל קרצ’מר-רזיאל. “The Impact of Purity Laws on Amoraic Laws Concerning Handling on the Sabbath.” Hebrew Union College Annual 87 (January 1, 2016): 179–202.
Lee, Francis Nigel. “The Covenantal Sabbath Francis Nigel Lee. [Text],” January 1, 1974. https://research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=251fe115-5d99-3051-9752-0243ed67dc9a.
McClintock, John, 1814-1870., and James Strong 1822-1894. “Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature: Supplement /,” January 1, 1885. https://research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=d6755a0f-afb4-3e7e-b7cb-e624de763b32.
Owens, John Joseph. “Analytical Key to the Old Testament / John Joseph Owens. [Text],” January 1, 1989. https://research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=088e1225-c664-39e3-a035-084e6a5ec75f.
Pink, Arthur W. “The Ten Commandments Arthur W. Pink [Text].” Accessed February 17, 2025. https://research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=632371d3-8882-3528-b3bc-c295a1e7188a.
Pons, Jacques. “John I. Durham: Exodus. (Word Biblical Commentary 3.) Waco, Tx, 1987, Word Books.” Études théologiques et religieuses 63, no. 1 (January 1, 1988): 104–104.
Posadas, Jeremy D. “THE REFUSAL OF WORK IN CHRISTIAN ETHICS AND THEOLOGY: Interpreting Work from an Anti-Work Perspective.” Journal of Religious Ethics 45, no. 2 (December 31, 2017): 330–61.
Sheveland, J. N. “Living the Sabbath: Discovering the Rhythms of Rest and Delight - By Norman Wirzba.” RELIGIOUS STUDIES REVIEW, Canada: Blackwell Publishing Ltd, January 1, 2008.
Spotify. “Podcasts.” Accessed November 6, 2023. https://open.spotify.com/genre/podcasts-web.
StudyLight.org. “Exodus 20 - The Biblical Illustrator - Bible Commentaries.” Accessed February 10, 2025. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/tbi/exodus-20.html.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Joseph Njoroge Mwangi
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
