Exodus 20:11 Meaning and Explanation
“For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God rested on the seventh day after creating all things, blessing and hallowing that day.
The Context of Exodus 20:11
The Sabbath is grounded in God's creation and rest, which He blessed and hallowed.
What Does Exodus 20:11 Mean?
This verse grounds the Sabbath commandment in creation itself. God's six days of creative work culminated in a day of rest—not because He was tired but as an intentional rhythm. By resting on the seventh day, God modeled the Sabbath for humanity. The act of resting, of ceasing creative work, was itself a blessing and a consecration of the day.
Because God blessed and hallowed the Sabbath day, it remains set apart. The Sabbath is not a human invention but a divine establishment. When people observe the Sabbath, they align themselves with the created order and God's own pattern. The blessing on the day flows to those who honor it through obedience.
Frequently Asked Questions About Exodus 20:11
What does Exodus 20:11 mean?
God rested on the seventh day after creating all things, blessing and hallowing that day.
What is the context of Exodus 20:11?
The Sabbath is grounded in God's creation and rest, which He blessed and hallowed.