Exodus 23:12

12 Six days thou shalt work: the seventh day thou shalt cease, that thy ox and thy ass may rest: and the son of thy handmaid and the stranger may be refreshed.

Exodus 23:12 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 23:12

Six days thou shalt do thy work
That is, they might do what work they would on the six days of the week:

and on the seventh day thou shall rest;
from all the work and labour done on other days, and give up themselves to religious exercises:

that thine ox and thine ass may rest;
and so every other beast, as horses, camels

and the son of thy handmaid, and the stranger, may be refreshed;
the former, the Targum of Jonathan, and so Jarchi, interprets, of one uncircumcised, and the latter, of a proselyte of the gate: this law is here repeated, partly to show that it is of the same kind with the former, namely, ceremonial and temporary; and partly, as Jarchi observes, lest it should be said, since all, the year is called the sabbath, there was no need to observe the weekly sabbath.

Exodus 23:12 In-Context

10 Six years thou shalt sow thy ground, and shalt gather the corn thereof.
11 But the seventh year thou shalt let it alone, and suffer it to rest, that the poor of thy people may eat, and whatsoever shall be left, let the beasts of the field eat it: so shalt thou do with thy vineyard and thy oliveyard.
12 Six days thou shalt work: the seventh day thou shalt cease, that thy ox and thy ass may rest: and the son of thy handmaid and the stranger may be refreshed.
13 Keep all things that I have said to you. And by the name of strange gods you shall not swear, neither shall it be heard out of your mouth.
14 Three times every year you shall celebrate feasts to me
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