Exodus 20:10 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, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The seventh day is God's Sabbath; no work is permitted for anyone under a person's authority.
The Context of Exodus 20:10
The seventh day is set apart as God's holy day; all work and labor cease for everyone.
What Does Exodus 20:10 Mean?
The Sabbath rest extends to the entire household—children, servants, animals, and even resident foreigners. This universality shows the Sabbath is not a privilege for the free but a gift for all. No one under a person's authority may be forced to work on the Sabbath. This implies a countercultural protection: even the poorest servant and the most vulnerable stranger enjoy rest and dignity on God's day.
The phrase 'the sabbath of the LORD' emphasizes that this day belongs to God, not to humans. We do not rest because we choose to; we cease work because God has set this day apart. The scope—family, servants, animals—suggests the Sabbath shapes the moral fabric of the entire community, establishing patterns of mercy and equity.
Exodus 20:10 in the Original Language
Shabbat (שבת), 'sabbath' — from the root meaning 'to cease' or 'to rest'; emphasizes complete cessation from work and creative labor.
Frequently Asked Questions About Exodus 20:10
What does Exodus 20:10 mean?
The seventh day is God's Sabbath; no work is permitted for anyone under a person's authority.
What is the context of Exodus 20:10?
The seventh day is set apart as God's holy day; all work and labor cease for everyone.