Deuteronomy 5:14 Meaning and Explanation
“But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; that thy manservant and thy maidservant may rest as well as thou.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →On the Sabbath, no one—not even servants or animals—may work; all rest together.
The Context of Deuteronomy 5:14
The Sabbath commandment extends to all members of the household and all animals.
What Does Deuteronomy 5:14 Mean?
The scope of Sabbath rest extends beyond the individual to everyone in the household and even animals. Servants, hired laborers, and visiting foreigners must rest, ensuring that the Sabbath brings restoration to the entire community. This revealed God's concern for the vulnerable and enslaved—they too deserve dignity and rest. The Sabbath law was radical in the ancient world, where slave labor was assumed to know no rest.
The phrase that thy manservant and maidservant may rest reveals the law's protective intent: the powerful (masters, employers) must grant rest to those under them. This embedded justice into the weekly rhythm, making Sabbath rest a concrete expression of covenant care.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deuteronomy 5:14
What does Deuteronomy 5:14 mean?
On the Sabbath, no one—not even servants or animals—may work; all rest together.
What is the context of Deuteronomy 5:14?
The Sabbath commandment extends to all members of the household and all animals.