Exodus 20:8-10

8 ¹“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

9 ²Six days you shall labor, and do all your work,

10 but the ³seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the ⁴sojourner who is within your gates.

Exodus 20:8-10 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 20

In this chapter we have an account of the giving of the law on Mount Sinai; the preface to it, Ex 20:1,2, the ten commandments it consists of, Ex 20:8-17, the circumstances attending it, which caused the people to remove at some distance, Ex 20:18, when they desired of Moses, that he would speak to them and not God, who bid them not fear, since this was for the trial of them; but still they kept at a distance, while Moses drew nigh to God, Ex 20:19-21 who ordered him to caution the children of Israel against idolatry, and directed what sort of an altar he would have made whereon to offer their sacrifices, promising that where his name was recorded he would grant his presence and blessing, Ex 20:22-26.

Cross References

• 1. 20:8 Lev. 19:3, 30; 26:2; See ch. 31:13-17
• 2. 20:9 ch. 23:12; 34:21; 35:2; Lev. 23:3; Luke 13:14
• 3. 20:10 ch. 16:26; 31:15; Gen. 2:2, 3; Ezek. 20:12; See Num. 15:32-36
• 4. 20:10 See Neh. 13:16-19