Exodus 20:8-11

8 “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.

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

10 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 animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns.

11 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.

Exodus 20:8-11 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. S Exodus 16:23; Exodus 31:13-16; Exodus 35:3; Leviticus 19:3,30; Leviticus 26:2; Isaiah 56:2; Jeremiah 17:21-27; Ezekiel 22:8
• 2. Exodus 23:12; Exodus 31:13-17; Exodus 34:21; Exodus 35:2-3; Leviticus 23:3; Luke 13:14
• 3. S Genesis 2:3; Exodus 31:14; Leviticus 23:38; Numbers 28:9; Isaiah 56:2; Ezekiel 20:12,20
• 4. Ge 1:3-2:1
• 5. S Genesis 2:2
• 6. Exodus 31:17; Hebrews 4:4