Exodus 12:16

Exodus 12:16 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

On the first day you are to hold a sacred assembly, and another on the seventh day. You must not do any work on those days, except to prepare the meals—that is all you may do.

King James Version KJV

And in the first day there shall be an holy convocation, and in the seventh day there shall be an holy convocation to you; no manner of work shall be done in them, save that which every man must eat, that only may be done of you.

American Standard Version ASV

And in the first day there shall be to you a holy convocation, and in the seventh day a holy convocation; no manner of work shall be done in them, save that which every man must eat, that only may be done by you.

Bible in Basic English BBE

And on the first day there is to be a holy meeting and on the seventh day a holy meeting; no sort of work may be done on those days but only to make ready what is necessary for everyone's food.

Free Bible Version FBV

On both the first day and on the seventh day you are to have a holy meeting. You must not work on those days, except to prepare food. That is all you are allowed to do.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

And in the first day shalbe an holie assemblie: also in the seuenth day shalbe an holy assemblie vnto you: no worke shalbe done in them, saue about that which euery man must eate: that onely may ye do.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

'And in the first day [is] a holy convocation, and in the seventh day ye have a holy convocation; any work is not done in them, only that which is eaten by any person — it alone is done by you,

World English Bible WEB

In the first day there shall be to you a holy convocation, and in the seventh day a holy convocation; no kind of work shall be done in them, except that which every man must eat, only that may be done by you.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And in the first day there shall be a holy convocation, and in the seventh day there shall be a holy convocation to you: no manner of work shall be done in them, save that which every man must eat, that only may be done by you.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

The first day shall be holy and solemn, and the seventh day shall be kept with the like solemnity: you shall do no work in them, except those things that belong to eating.

Translation for Translators T4T

On the first day of that week, you must ◄have a holy meeting/gather together to worship me►. You must do the same thing on the seventh day. People must not work on those two days. The only work they may do is to prepare food for you to eat.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Exodus 12:16

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Exodus 12:16 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וּ/בַ/יּ֤וֹם הָ/רִאשׁוֹן֙ מִקְרָא קֹ֔דֶשׁ וּ/בַ/יּוֹם֙ הַ/שְּׁבִיעִ֔י מִקְרָא קֹ֖דֶשׁ יִהְיֶ֣ה לָ/כֶ֑ם כָּל מְלָאכָה֙ לֹא יֵעָשֶׂ֣ה בָ/הֶ֔ם אַ֚ךְ אֲשֶׁ֣ר יֵאָכֵ֣ל לְ/כָל נֶ֔פֶשׁ ה֥וּא לְ/בַדּ֖/וֹ יֵעָשֶׂ֥ה לָ/כֶֽם

וּ/בַ/יּ֤וֹם yôwm H3117 day Conj | Prep | N-ms

הָ/רִאשׁוֹן֙ riʼshôwn H7223 first Art | Adj

מִקְרָא miqrâʼ H4744 assembly N-ms

קֹ֔דֶשׁ qôdesh H6944 Holy Place N-ms

וּ/בַ/יּוֹם֙ yôwm H3117 day Conj | Prep | N-ms

הַ/שְּׁבִיעִ֔י shᵉbîyʻîy H7637 seventh Art | Adj

מִקְרָא miqrâʼ H4744 assembly N-ms

קֹ֖דֶשׁ qôdesh H6944 Holy Place N-ms

יִהְיֶ֣ה hâyâh H1961 to be V-Qal-Imperf-3ms

לָ/כֶ֑ם Prep | Suff

כָּל kôl H3605 all N-ms

מְלָאכָה֙ mᵉlâʼkâh H4399 work N-fs

לֹא lôʼ H3808 not Part

יֵעָשֶׂ֣ה ʻâsâh H6213 to make V-Niphal-Imperf-3ms

בָ/הֶ֔ם Prep | Suff

אַ֚ךְ ʼak H389 surely DirObjM

אֲשֶׁ֣ר ʼăsher H834 which Rel

יֵאָכֵ֣ל ʼâkal H398 to eat V-Niphal-Imperf-3ms

לְ/כָל kôl H3605 all Prep | N-ms

נֶ֔פֶשׁ nephesh H5315 soul N-cs

ה֥וּא hûwʼ H1931 he/she/it Pron

לְ/בַדּ֖/וֹ bad H905 alone Prep | N-ms | Suff

יֵעָשֶׂ֥ה ʻâsâh H6213 to make V-Niphal-Imperf-3ms

לָ/כֶֽם Prep | Suff

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Exodus 12:16

וּ/בַ/יּ֤וֹם yôwm H3117 "day" Conj | Prep | N-ms

The Hebrew word 'yom' refers to a day, which can be a literal 24-hour period or a figurative space of time. It is used in the Bible to describe a wide range of time periods, from a single day to a year or a lifetime. The word 'yom' is used in many different contexts throughout the Bible.

Definition: : day/when/time/period 1) day, time, year 1a) day (as opposed to night) 1b) day (24 hour period) 1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1 1b2) as a division of time 1b2a) a working day, a day's journey 1c) days, lifetime (pl.) 1d) time, period (general) 1e) year 1f) temporal references 1f1) today 1f2) yesterday 1f3) tomorrow

Usage: Occurs in 1930 OT verses. KJV: age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 33:13; Exodus 23:15.

הָ/רִאשׁוֹן֙ riʼshôwn H7223 "first" Art | Adj

This word means 'first' or 'primary', referring to something that comes before others in time, place, or rank. It is used to describe the first or most important thing in a series or list.

Definition: : first adj 1) first, primary, former 1a) former (of time) 1a1) ancestors 1a2) former things 1b) foremost (of location) 1c) first (in time) 1d) first, chief (in degree) adv 2) first, before, formerly, at first

Usage: Occurs in 174 OT verses. KJV: ancestor, (that were) before(-time), beginning, eldest, first, fore(-father) (-most), former (thing), of old time, past. See also: Genesis 8:13; 1 Chronicles 27:3; Psalms 79:8.

מִקְרָא miqrâʼ H4744 "assembly" N-ms

In the Bible, this word refers to a public gathering or assembly, like a convocation or sacred meeting. It is used to describe a calling together of people for a specific purpose. The word is used in various contexts, including religious and community gatherings.

Definition: 1) convocation, convoking, reading, a calling together 1a) convocation, sacred assembly 1b) convoking 1c) reading

Usage: Occurs in 22 OT verses. KJV: assembly, calling, convocation, reading. See also: Exodus 12:16; Leviticus 23:37; Isaiah 1:13.

קֹ֔דֶשׁ qôdesh H6944 "Holy Place" N-ms

The Holy Place refers to a sacred or set-apart area, like the temple in Jerusalem. It is a place of sanctity and holiness, where God is worshipped. The Bible describes it as a place of reverence and awe.

Definition: This name means apartness, holiness, sacredness Also named: hagion (ἅγιον "Holy Place" G0039)

Usage: Occurs in 380 OT verses. KJV: consecrated (thing), dedicated (thing), hallowed (thing), holiness, ([idiom] most) holy ([idiom] day, portion, thing), saint, sanctuary. See also: Exodus 3:5; Leviticus 23:4; 1 Chronicles 26:26.

וּ/בַ/יּוֹם֙ yôwm H3117 "day" Conj | Prep | N-ms

הַ/שְּׁבִיעִ֔י shᵉbîyʻîy H7637 "seventh" Art | Adj

The Hebrew word for seventh, this term is an ordinal number used to describe something in the seventh position. It appears in the Bible as seventh time.

Definition: 1) seventh 1a) ordinal number

Usage: Occurs in 94 OT verses. KJV: seventh (time). See also: Genesis 2:2; Numbers 29:12; Jeremiah 28:17.

מִקְרָא miqrâʼ H4744 "assembly" N-ms

Definition: 1) convocation, convoking, reading, a calling together 1a) convocation, sacred assembly 1b) convoking 1c) reading

Usage: Occurs in 22 OT verses. KJV: assembly, calling, convocation, reading. See also: Exodus 12:16; Leviticus 23:37; Isaiah 1:13.

קֹ֖דֶשׁ qôdesh H6944 "Holy Place" N-ms

Definition: This name means apartness, holiness, sacredness Also named: hagion (ἅγιον "Holy Place" G0039)

יִהְיֶ֣ה hâyâh H1961 "to be" V-Qal-Imperf-3ms

The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.

Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone

Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.

לָ/כֶ֑ם "" Prep | Suff

כָּל kôl H3605 "all" N-ms

The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.

Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.

מְלָאכָה֙ mᵉlâʼkâh H4399 "work" N-fs

Means work or employment, like a job or business, and is used to describe someone's occupation or the result of their labor, as seen in the Bible's description of various professions and industries.

Definition: 1) occupation, work, business 1a) occupation, business 1b) property 1c) work (something done or made) 1d) workmanship 1e) service, use 1f) public business 1f1) political 1f2) religious

Usage: Occurs in 149 OT verses. KJV: business, [phrase] cattle, [phrase] industrious, occupation, ([phrase] -pied), [phrase] officer, thing (made), use, (manner of) work((-man), -manship). See also: Genesis 2:2; 1 Chronicles 9:13; Psalms 73:28.

לֹא lôʼ H3808 "not" Part

The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.

Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.

יֵעָשֶׂ֣ה ʻâsâh H6213 "to make" V-Niphal-Imperf-3ms

This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.

Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made

Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.

בָ/הֶ֔ם "" Prep | Suff

אַ֚ךְ ʼak H389 "surely" DirObjM

This Hebrew word is used to emphasize something, like saying 'surely' or 'certainly'. It can also be used to limit or restrict something, like saying 'only' or 'but'.

Definition: 1) indeed, surely (emphatic) 2) howbeit, only, but, yet (restrictive)

Usage: Occurs in 157 OT verses. KJV: also, in any wise, at least, but, certainly, even, howbeit, nevertheless, notwithstanding, only, save, surely, of a surety, truly, verily, [phrase] wherefore, yet (but). See also: Genesis 7:23; 2 Kings 23:35; Psalms 23:6.

אֲשֶׁ֣ר ʼăsher H834 "which" Rel

This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.

Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when

Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.

יֵאָכֵ֣ל ʼâkal H398 "to eat" V-Niphal-Imperf-3ms

This word means to eat or devour, and it's used in many stories, including when Jesus fed the 5000 with fish and bread in the book of Matthew. It's about taking in nourishment and being satisfied.

Definition: 1) to eat, devour, burn up, feed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to eat (human subject) 1a2) to eat, devour (of beasts and birds) 1a3) to devour, consume (of fire) 1a4) to devour, slay (of sword) 1a5) to devour, consume, destroy (inanimate subjects - ie, pestilence, drought) 1a6) to devour (of oppression) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be eaten (by men) 1b2) to be devoured, consumed (of fire) 1b3) to be wasted, destroyed (of flesh) 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to cause to eat, feed with 1c2) to cause to devour 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to feed 1d2) to cause to eat 1e) (Piel) 1e1) consume Aramaic equivalent: a.khal (אֲכַל "to devour" H0399)

Usage: Occurs in 703 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite. See also: Genesis 2:16; Leviticus 6:9; Numbers 24:8.

לְ/כָל kôl H3605 "all" Prep | N-ms

Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

נֶ֔פֶשׁ nephesh H5315 "soul" N-cs

The Hebrew word for soul or living being, used in the Bible to describe the essence of a person or animal. It encompasses the ideas of life, breath, and vitality, and is translated as 'soul' or 'creature' in the KJV. This word is central to biblical concepts of humanity and existence.

Definition: 1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion 1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man 1b) living being 1c) living being (with life in the blood) 1d) the man himself, self, person or individual 1e) seat of the appetites 1f) seat of emotions and passions 1g) activity of mind 1g1) uncertain 1h) activity of the will 1h1) uncertain 1i) activity of the character 1i1) uncertain

Usage: Occurs in 683 OT verses. KJV: any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, [idiom] dead(-ly), desire, [idiom] (dis-) contented, [idiom] fish, ghost, [phrase] greedy, he, heart(-y), (hath, [idiom] jeopardy of) life ([idiom] in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thy-) self, them (your) -selves, [phrase] slay, soul, [phrase] tablet, they, thing, ([idiom] she) will, [idiom] would have it. See also: Genesis 1:20; Leviticus 26:43; Judges 18:25.

ה֥וּא hûwʼ H1931 "he/she/it" Pron

This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.

Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)

Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.

לְ/בַדּ֖/וֹ bad H905 "alone" Prep | N-ms | Suff

The Hebrew word 'bad' can mean alone, apart, or a separate part of something, like a branch or a bar. It's used to describe something that's only or except for something else.

Definition: : pole 1) alone, by itself, besides, a part, separation, being alone 1a) separation, alone, by itself 1a1) only (adv) 1a2) apart from, besides (prep) 1b) part 1c) parts (eg limbs, shoots), bars

Usage: Occurs in 179 OT verses. KJV: alone, apart, bar, besides, branch, by self, of each alike, except, only, part, staff, strength. See also: Genesis 2:18; Judges 20:15; Psalms 51:6.

יֵעָשֶׂ֥ה ʻâsâh H6213 "to make" V-Niphal-Imperf-3ms

לָ/כֶֽם "" Prep | Suff

Study Notes — Exodus 12:16

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Exodus 12:16 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Exodus 12:16
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 12:16
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 12:16
Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 12:16
Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 12:16
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 12:16
Cambridge Bible on Exodus 12:16
Barnes' Notes on Exodus 12:16
Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 12:16
Sermons on Exodus 12:16

Context — The Feast of Unleavened Bread

14And this day will be a memorial for you, and you are to celebrate it as a feast to the LORD, as a permanent statute for the generations to come. 15For seven days you must eat unleavened bread. On the first day you are to remove the leaven from your houses. Whoever eats anything leavened from the first day through the seventh must be cut off from Israel.

16On the first day you are to hold a sacred assembly, and another on the seventh day. You must not do any work on those days, except to prepare the meals—that is all you may do.

17So you are to keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread, for on this very day I brought your divisions out of the land of Egypt. You must keep this day as a permanent statute for the generations to come. 18In the first month you are to eat unleavened bread, from the evening of the fourteenth day until the evening of the twenty-first day.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Leviticus 23:7–8	On the first day you are to hold a sacred assembly; you are not to do any regular work. For seven days you are to present an offering made by fire to the LORD. On the seventh day there shall be a sacred assembly; you must not do any regular work.’”
2	Numbers 28:18	On the first day there is to be a sacred assembly; you must not do any regular work.
3	Exodus 16:23	He told them, “This is what the LORD has said: ‘Tomorrow is to be a day of complete rest, a holy Sabbath to the LORD. So bake what you want to bake, and boil what you want to boil. Then set aside whatever remains and keep it until morning.’”
4	Numbers 28:25	On the seventh day you shall hold a sacred assembly; you must not do any regular work.
5	Jeremiah 17:21–22	This is what the LORD says: Take heed for yourselves; do not carry a load or bring it through the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. You must not carry a load out of your houses or do any work on the Sabbath day, but you must keep the Sabbath day holy, just as I commanded your forefathers.
6	Leviticus 23:21	On that same day you are to proclaim a sacred assembly, and you must not do any regular work. This is to be a permanent statute wherever you live for the generations to come.
7	Leviticus 23:27	“The tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. You shall hold a sacred assembly and humble yourselves, and present an offering made by fire to the LORD.
8	Numbers 29:12	On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, you are to hold a sacred assembly; you must not do any regular work, and you shall observe a feast to the LORD for seven days.
9	Leviticus 23:35	On the first day there shall be a sacred assembly. You must not do any regular work.
10	Leviticus 23:2–3	“Speak to the Israelites and say to them, ‘These are My appointed feasts, the feasts of the LORD that you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies. For six days work may be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of complete rest, a day of sacred assembly. You must not do any work; wherever you live, it is a Sabbath to the LORD.

Exodus 12:16 Summary

[Exodus 12:16 teaches us about the importance of taking time to rest and focus on God, just like the Israelites did when they left Egypt. This verse reminds us that on certain special days, we should not do any work except to prepare food for our families and communities, so we can come together and celebrate God's goodness (see also Exodus 20:8-11). By doing this, we can remember God's love and care for us, and we can worship Him together as a community, just as the Israelites did during the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Exodus 12:14-15).]

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the significance of the first and seventh days in Exodus 12:16?

The first and seventh days are significant because they bookend the week of unleavened bread, a time to remember God's deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt, as seen in Exodus 12:14 and Exodus 12:17. This period of celebration and reflection is a permanent statute for the generations to come.

What kind of work is allowed on the first and seventh days according to Exodus 12:16?

According to Exodus 12:16, the only work allowed on these days is preparing meals, which is essential for survival and community gathering, much like the Sabbath principles outlined in Exodus 20:8-11 and Deuteronomy 5:12-15.

How does Exodus 12:16 relate to the concept of rest in the Bible?

Exodus 12:16 introduces the idea of rest on specific days, which is later expanded upon in the concept of the Sabbath, as seen in Exodus 20:8-11 and reinforced in Hebrews 4:9-11, emphasizing the importance of resting in God's provision and presence.

What is the purpose of the sacred assemblies on the first and seventh days?

The sacred assemblies on the first and seventh days, as mentioned in Exodus 12:16, serve as times for the community to come together and acknowledge God's deliverance, similar to the gatherings commanded in Leviticus 23:2-4, fostering a sense of unity and worship among the people.

Reflection Questions

How can I apply the principle of resting from work to focus on God's deliverance in my life, just as the Israelites did?
In what ways can I use the first and seventh days of significant events in my life to reflect on God's goodness and provision, as the Israelites did during the Feast of Unleavened Bread?
What are some modern-day applications of 'preparing meals' as the only allowed work on sacred days, and how can this practice enhance my relationship with God and my community?
How does the concept of sacred assemblies influence my understanding of corporate worship and community gatherings in my own life?

Gill's Exposition on Exodus 12:16

And in the first day there shall be an holy convocation,.... An holy day, in which the people be called to holy exercises, and wholly abstain from worldly business, done on other days: and in the

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 12:16

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 12:16

An holy convocation; a solemn day for the people to assemble together, and to attend upon the public worship and service of God in hearing his word, prayers, praises, and sacrifices. And in the seventh day, because then Pharaoh and his host were drowned in the sea. As on the first day the first-born were killed; so their deliverance was begun on the first, and completed on the seventh day, and therefore those days deserved a special character of honour. And indeed that there were seven days between those two miracles, the Jews unanimously affirm, and it seems probable from the account of their journeys. No manner of work, i.e. of servile work, . Save that which every man must eat: herein, as many think, these days were inferior to the sabbath, in which that was forbidden. But of this See Poole on "". See Poole on .

Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 12:16

Exodus 12:16 And in the first day [there shall be] an holy convocation, and in the seventh day there shall be an holy convocation to you; no manner of work shall be done in them, save [that] which every man must eat, that only may be done of you.Ver. 16. A holy convocation.] This same word, in the Hebrew, signifieth the Holy Scripture; to teach us, saith one, that the Scriptures ought to be read in the congregation and holy assemblies.

Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 12:16

(16) In the first day there shall be an holy convocation.—The Passover was to be kept on the fourteenth day of Abib, at even. The seven following days were to be “days of unleavened bread.” On the first of these, the fifteenth of Abib (Leviticus 23:6), there was to be a “holy convocation,” i.e., a general gathering of the people to the door of the sanctuary for sacrifice, worship, and perhaps instruction. (Comp. Nehemiah 8:1.) The term “convocation” implies that the people were summoned to attend; and the actual summons appears to have been made by the blowing of the silver trumpets (Numbers 10:2). On the seventh day, the twenty-first of Abib, was to be another similar meeting. “No manner of work” was to be done on either of these two days; or rather, as explained in Leviticus 23:7-8, “no servile work.”

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 12:16

Verse 16. In the first day and in the seventh day there shall be a holy convocation] This is the first place where we meet with the account of an assembly collected for the mere purpose of religious worship. Such assemblies are called holy convocations, which is a very appropriate appellation for a religious assembly; they were called together by the express command of God, and were to be employed in a work of holiness. מקרא mikra, convocation, is a word of similar import with the Greek εκκλησια, which we commonly translate Church, and which properly signifies an assembly convened by public call.

Cambridge Bible on Exodus 12:16

16. On the first and seventh day there was also to be a ‘holy convocation,’ i.e. an assembly at the sanctuary for religious purposes. The expression occurs besides only in the two calendars of P, Leviticus 23:2-4; Leviticus 23:7-8; Leviticus 23:21; Leviticus 23:24; Leviticus 23:27; Leviticus 23:35-37, Numbers 28:18; Numbers 28:25-26; Numbers 29:1; Numbers 29:7; Numbers 29:12; and, without ‘holy,’ Isaiah 1:13; Isaiah 4:5 (EVV., each time, ‘assemblies’). The assembly was ‘called’ together by silver trumpets (see Numbers 10:2 [where ‘calling’ is in the Heb. the same as ‘convocation’ here], Numbers 10:3; Numbers 10:7, cf. Numbers 10:10): Kalisch reminds us how in Mohammedan countries festivals are announced by heralds from conspicuous places, especially the towers of mosques. save that which, &c.] The prohibition of work was thus not as strict as for the sabbath (Exodus 16:23, Exodus 35:3), or the day of atonement (Leviticus 23:28). Cf. Leviticus 23:7-8.

Barnes' Notes on Exodus 12:16

An holy convocation - An assembly called by proclamation for a religious solemnity. See Leviticus 23:2; Numbers 10:2-3. In the East the proclamation is made by the Muezzins from the minarets of the mosques.

Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 12:16

16. Holy convocation — The first and seventh days were to be days of general assembly, in which no work but that of necessity should be done — sabbaths, when all the people should gather to hear the

Sermons on Exodus 12:16

	Sermon	Description
	The Day That Belongs to the Lord by Denny Kenaston	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of being creative in our daily lives and making each day a sweet and blessed day. He encourages the congregation to search the
	The Feasts of Jehovah 04 Firstfruits by John W. Bramhall	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the various offerings mentioned in the Bible, specifically focusing on the drink offering. He references the story of Jacob in Genesis, where
	(Through the Bible) Leviticus 16-20 by Chuck Smith	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the moral decay and corruption in society, particularly in relation to the portrayal of sinful acts in movies. He emphasizes that God's peopl
	Judgment Is Coming by Rolfe Barnard	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the concept of religion and its limitations. He emphasizes that religion allows people to feel alright but does not address their conduct. Th
	The Feasts of Jehovah 01 the Sabbath by John W. Bramhall	In this sermon, the speaker provides an outline of the book of Leviticus and its spiritual application to our lives today. The speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding th
	The Feasts of Jehovah 08 the Day of Atonement by John W. Bramhall	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the future of Israel and the coming day of the Lord. He references Zechariah chapter 12, which describes a great national crisis that Israel
	The Feasts of Jehovah 10 the Millenium by John W. Bramhall	In this sermon, the preacher reflects on the lessons found in the Old Testament and how they are relevant to our lives today. He shares a personal anecdote about his young son's fa

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