The Sabbath Sign
Exodus 31:12-18
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Exo.31.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
Parallels
- Exod.20:8-11 (verbal): The Ten Commandments' Sabbath injunction (remember the sabbath day) reiterates the same command to keep the seventh day holy and echoes the law given through Moses about Sabbath observance.
- Exod.35:2 (structural): When Moses assembles the people he conveys God's command about Sabbath rest and work prohibitions—same context of Moses speaking God's instructions about the sabbath.
- Lev.19:30 (verbal): Directly parallels the language 'keep my sabbaths' and the covenantal formula 'I am the LORD,' connecting Sabbath observance to divine identity and sanctification.
- Ezek.20:12 (quotation): Ezekiel explicitly repeats the phrasing that the sabbaths are 'a sign between me and you, that you may know that I am the LORD who sanctifies you,' echoing Exodus 31:12–13 almost verbatim.
- Deut.5:12-15 (thematic): The Sabbath command is restated in Deuteronomy with a different rationale (remembrance of Israel's enslavement in Egypt), providing a thematic contrast in the grounds for observing the sabbath.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying:
- And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying:
Exo.31.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואתה: CONJ+PRON,2,m,sg
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- אך: PART
- את: PRT,acc
- שבתתי: NOUN,f,sg,abs+1,sg
- תשמרו: VERB,qal,impf,2,pl
- כי: CONJ
- אות: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- ביני: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- וביניכם: CONJ+PREP+PRON,2,pl
- לדרתיכם: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,2,m,pl
- לדעת: VERB,qal,inf,-,-,-
- כי: CONJ
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- מקדשכם: VERB,hif,ptc,3,m,sg+2,pl
Parallels
- Exod.31:16-17 (verbal): Immediate continuation that repeats and expands the idea: the Sabbath kept as a perpetual 'sign' between God and Israel and language about God's sanctifying/resting is reiterated verbatim.
- Exod.20:8-11 (quotation): The Fourth Commandment instituting Sabbath observance; provides the original legal formulation and theological rationale (God's rest after creation) that Exodus 31:13 presupposes.
- Lev.19:30 (verbal): Uses similar injunctional language—'keep my sabbaths'—and couples Sabbath observance with reverence for God's sanctuary and the declaration 'I am the LORD.'
- Deut.5:12-15 (thematic): Deuteronomic restatement of the Sabbath command; echoes the obligation to keep the day but gives a different emphasis (remembrance of Israel's deliverance) while maintaining its covenantal character.
- Ezek.20:12,20 (allusion): Prophetic repudiation of Sabbath profanation that describes the Sabbath as a 'sign' between God and Israel—language and concept that directly echo Exodus 31:13's characterization of the Sabbath as a covenantal sign.
Alternative generated candidates
- And you, speak to the sons of Israel, saying: However, my Sabbaths you shall keep, for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations, so that you may know that I am the LORD who sanctifies you.
- And you, speak to the Israelites, saying: Only my Sabbaths you shall keep, for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations, so that you may know that I am the LORD who sanctifies you.
Exo.31.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ושמרתם: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- השבת: NOUN,f,sg,def
- כי: CONJ
- קדש: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- לכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- מחלליה: VERB,piel,part,3,m,sg
- מות: VERB,qal,infabs
- יומת: VERB,niphal,impf,3,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- כל: DET
- העשה: VERB,qal,part,3,m,sg,def
- בה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- מלאכה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ונכרתה: CONJ+VERB,niphal,perf,3,f,sg
- הנפש: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- מקרב: PREP
- עמיה: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
Parallels
- Exodus 20:8-11 (quotation): The Sabbath command in the Decalogue—identical injunction to keep the Sabbath and the rationale (creation week) — the command here is reiterated and elaborated in Exod 31:14.
- Deuteronomy 5:12-15 (thematic): Deuteromic restatement of the Sabbath command; emphasizes a different rationale (remembrance of Israel’s slavery) but parallels the obligation to cease work and keep the day holy.
- Genesis 2:2-3 (structural): The motif of God resting on the seventh day and sanctifying/blessing it provides the creation-theological basis for the Sabbath’s holiness invoked in Exod 31:14.
- Numbers 15:32-36 (verbal): Narrative case where a man is executed for gathering sticks on the Sabbath — a concrete enforcement of the death penalty for Sabbath violation similar to the sanction in Exod 31:14.
- Ezekiel 20:12-13, 20 (allusion): Prophetic reflection on giving the Sabbaths as a sign and punishing those who profane them; language of profaning the Sabbath and divine judgment echoes Exod 31:14.
Alternative generated candidates
- And you shall keep the Sabbath, for it is holy to you; its profaners shall surely be put to death; for whoever does work on it, that person shall be cut off from among his people.
- And you shall keep the Sabbath, for it is holy to you. Whoever profanes it shall surely be put to death; for whoever does work in it, that person shall be cut off from among his people.
Exo.31.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ששת: NUM,card,pl,cons
- ימים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- יעשה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- מלאכה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וביום: CONJ+PREP
- השביעי: ADJ,m,sg,def,ord
- שבת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- שבתון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- קדש: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ליהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- כל: DET
- העשה: VERB,qal,part,ms,sg,def
- מלאכה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ביום: PREP
- השבת: NOUN,f,sg,def
- מות: VERB,qal,infabs
- יומת: VERB,niphal,impf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Exod.20:8-11 (verbal): The Fourth Commandment instituting Sabbath rest for six days with the seventh holy; shares language and rationale about God resting after creation.
- Exod.35:2 (quotation): Repeats the command that Sabbath is holy and prescribes death for whoever does work on it—direct restatement of the same legal penalty.
- Deut.5:12-15 (thematic): Deuteronomic restatement of the Sabbath command; parallels the duty to keep the seventh day holy but emphasizes remembrance of Israel's slavery as the reason for rest.
- Lev.23:3 (thematic): Describes the Sabbath as a solemn rest and holy convocation, echoing the sacred character and cessation of regular work stated in Exod.31:15.
- Num.15:32-36 (allusion): Narrative account of a man executed for gathering sticks on the Sabbath, providing a concrete example of enforcement of the Sabbath death-penalty law.
Alternative generated candidates
- Six days work shall be done, but on the seventh day is a Sabbath of complete rest, holy to the LORD; whoever does work on the Sabbath day shall surely be put to death.
- Six days work shall be done, but on the seventh day is a sabbath of complete rest, holy to the LORD; whoever does work on the Sabbath day shall surely be put to death.
Exo.31.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ושמרו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- השבת: NOUN,f,sg,def
- לעשות: VERB,qal,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- השבת: NOUN,f,sg,def
- לדרתם: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs+3mp
- ברית: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- עולם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Exodus 20:8-11 (quotation): The Decalogue command to 'remember the Sabbath' (or 'keep the Sabbath') provides the canonical formulation of Sabbath observance and links Sabbath rest to God's creation—the immediate legal parallel to Exod 31:16's injunction.
- Deuteronomy 5:12-15 (verbal): Deuteronomy repeats the Sabbath command for Israel, with a modified rationale (recalling Israel's redemption rather than creation), yet similarly frames Sabbath observance as a lasting obligation across generations.
- Ezekiel 20:12 (allusion): Ezekiel characterizes the Sabbath as 'a sign between me and you' given to the Israelites—language and covenantal function that echo Exod 31:16's 'perpetual covenant' motif.
- Leviticus 26:2 (thematic): Leviticus commands Israel to 'keep my Sabbaths' as part of covenantal obedience; it connects Sabbath observance to the covenantal relationship between Yahweh and the community, resonant with Exod 31:16's covenant language.
- Isaiah 56:4-7 (thematic): Isaiah presents Sabbath-keeping as integral to inclusion in Yahweh's house and blessing ('my house shall be called a house of prayer'), expanding the covenantal and communal dimensions of Sabbath observance implied in Exod 31:16.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the sons of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations, as an everlasting covenant.
- And the Israelites shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations, as an everlasting covenant.
Exo.31.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ביני: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- ובין: CONJ+PREP
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אות: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- לעלם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- ששת: NUM,card,m
- ימים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- השמים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ואת: CONJ
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- וביום: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- השביעי: ADJ,ord,m,sg,def
- שבת: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- וינפש: VERB,niphal,impf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Genesis 2:2-3 (verbal): Original creation-week statement: God completes creation in six days and rests on the seventh; Exodus 31:17 echoes the language of divine resting and the sanctification of the seventh day.
- Exodus 20:8-11 (verbal): The Decalogue's Sabbath command gives the same creation-based rationale (six days of work, seventh day rest) for Israel's Sabbath observance and parallels the wording of Exod 31:17.
- Deuteronomy 5:12-15 (thematic): Repeats the Sabbath command but grounds observance in Israel's liberation from Egypt rather than creation; presents a complementary/contrasting rationale to the creation motif in Exod 31:17.
- Hebrews 4:4-10 (allusion): New Testament theological development that cites God's rest on the seventh day and argues for a 'Sabbath rest' for God's people, linking the OT creation-rest motif (as in Exod 31:17) to Christological/spiritual rest.
Alternative generated candidates
- Between me and the sons of Israel it is a sign forever; for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed.
- It is a sign forever between me and the Israelites, for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day he ceased and was refreshed.
Exo.31.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ככלתו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לדבר: INF,qal
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- בהר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- סיני: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שני: NUM,m,pl,construct
- לחת: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- העדת: NOUN,f,sg,def
- לחת: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אבן: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- כתבים: NOUN,m,pl,const
- באצבע: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Exodus 24:12 (structural): Earlier command to Moses to ascend the mountain to receive 'tablets of stone' and the law — sets the occasion for the tablets God gives in 31:18.
- Exodus 32:15-16 (verbal): Narrative repetition: Moses descends with 'two tablets of the testimony, tablets of stone, written with the finger of God,' echoing the wording and emphasizing their divine authorship.
- Deuteronomy 9:10 (verbal): Moses recalls receiving 'the two tablets of stone, written with the finger of God,' using the same distinctive phrase to attest to God's direct inscription.
- Deuteronomy 10:1-5 (structural): Account of God commanding Moses to carve a second set of tablets and of placing the tablets in the ark — develops the later history of the tablets first given in Exodus 31:18.
- Exodus 34:1 (allusion): God instructs Moses to cut two new tablets 'like the first,' alluding to the original tablets given earlier (31:18) and linking the originals to the replacement tablets.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he gave to Moses, when he had finished speaking with him on Mount Sinai, the two tablets of the testimony, tablets of stone, written with the finger of God.
- And he gave to Moses, when he finished speaking with him on Mount Sinai, the two tablets of the testimony, tablets of stone, written with the finger of God.
And the LORD said to Moses, saying: And you, speak to the Israelites, saying: Surely you shall keep my Sabbaths, for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations, so that you may know that I am the LORD who sanctifies you. And you shall keep the Sabbath, for it is holy to you. Its profaners shall surely be put to death; for whoever does work on it—that person shall be cut off from among his people.
Six days work shall be done, but on the seventh day is a Sabbath of complete rest, holy to the LORD. Whoever does work on the Sabbath day shall surely be put to death. And the Israelites shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations, as an everlasting covenant.
Between me and the Israelites it is a sign forever; for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day he ceased and was refreshed. And he gave to Moses, when he had finished speaking with him on Mount Sinai, the two tablets of the testimony, tablets of stone, written with the finger of God.