Deuteronomy 5:12-15

12 “Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the LORD your God has commanded you.
13 Six days you shall labor and do all your work,
14 but the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your ox, your donkey or any of your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns, so that your male and female servants may rest, as you do.
15 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the LORD your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the LORD your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day.

Deuteronomy 5:12-15 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO DEUTERONOMY 5

In this chapter Moses, after a short preface, De 5:1-5, repeats the law of the decalogue, or ten commands, with some little variation, De 5:6-21, and then reminds the Israelites of the terrible manner in which it was delivered to them, De 5:22,23 which put them upon making a request that Moses might be a mediator between God and them, and hear what the Lord had to say, and report it to them; to which they promised obedience, De 5:24-27 and which being agreeable to the Lord was granted, De 5:28-31, and this laid them under a greater obligation to observe the commands of God, and keep them, De 5:32,33.

Cross References 7

  • 1. Exodus 16:23-30; Exodus 31:13-17; Mark 2:27-28; Exodus 20:8
  • 2. S Genesis 2:2; Matthew 12:2; Mark 2:27; Hebrews 4:4
  • 3. Job 31:13; Jeremiah 34:9-11
  • 4. Jeremiah 17:21,24
  • 5. S Genesis 15:13
  • 6. Exodus 6:1; Psalms 108:6; Jeremiah 32:21
  • 7. S Deuteronomy 4:34
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