Exodus 23:12
Exodus 23:12 in Multiple Translations
For six days you are to do your work, but on the seventh day you must cease, so that your ox and your donkey may rest and the son of your maidservant may be refreshed, as well as the foreign resident.
Six days thou shalt do thy work, and on the seventh day thou shalt rest: that thine ox and thine ass may rest, and the son of thy handmaid, and the stranger, may be refreshed.
Six days thou shalt do thy work, and on the seventh day thou shalt rest; that thine ox and thine ass may have rest, and the son of thy handmaid, and the sojourner, may be refreshed.
For six days do your work, and on the seventh day keep the Sabbath; so that your ox and your ass may have rest, together with the son of your servant and the man from a strange land living among you.
You have six days to do your work, but on the seventh day you must stop working, so that your ox and your donkey can rest, and your slaves' families can catch their breath, as well as the foreigners living among you.
Sixe dayes thou shalt do thy worke, and in the seuenth day thou shalt rest, that thine oxe, and thine asse may rest, and the sonne of thy maide and the stranger may be refreshed.
'Six days thou dost do thy work, and on the seventh day thou dost rest, so that thine ox and thine ass doth rest, and the son of thine handmaid and the sojourner is refreshed;
“Six days you shall do your work, and on the seventh day you shall rest, that your ox and your donkey may have rest, and the son of your servant, and the alien may be refreshed.
Six days thou shalt do thy work, and on the seventh day thou shalt rest: that thy ox and thy ass may rest, and the son of thy handmaid, and the stranger, may be refreshed.
Six days thou shalt work: the seventh day thou shalt cease, that thy ox and thy ass may rest: and the son of thy handmaid and the stranger may be refreshed.
You may work for six days each week, but on the seventh day you must rest and not work. And on the seventh day you must allow your work animals and your slaves and the foreigners who live among you also to rest and be refreshed.
Berean Amplified Bible — Exodus 23:12
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Exodus 23:12 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Hebrew Word Reference — Exodus 23:12
Study Notes — Exodus 23:12
- Context
- Cross References
- Exodus 23:12 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Exodus 23:12
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 23:12
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 23:12
- Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 23:12
- Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 23:12
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 23:12
- Cambridge Bible on Exodus 23:12
- Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 23:12
- Sermons on Exodus 23:12
Context — Sabbath Laws
12For six days you are to do your work, but on the seventh day you must cease, so that your ox and your donkey may rest and the son of your maidservant may be refreshed, as well as the foreign resident.
13Pay close attention to everything I have said to you. You must not invoke the names of other gods; they must not be heard on your lips. 14Three times a year you are to celebrate a feast to Me.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luke 13:14 | But the synagogue leader was indignant that Jesus had healed on the Sabbath. “There are six days for work,” he told the crowd. “So come and be healed on those days and not on the Sabbath.” |
| 2 | Exodus 34:21 | Six days you shall labor, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even in the seasons of plowing and harvesting, you must rest. |
| 3 | Exodus 35:3 | Do not light a fire in any of your dwellings on the Sabbath day.” |
| 4 | Exodus 20:8–11 | Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God, on which you must not do any work—neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant or livestock, nor the foreigner within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth and the sea and all that is in them, but on the seventh day He rested. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy. |
| 5 | Deuteronomy 5:13–15 | Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God, on which you must not do any work—neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your ox or donkey or any of your livestock, nor the foreigner within your gates, so that your manservant and maidservant may rest as you do. Remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and that the LORD your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. That is why the LORD your God has commanded you to keep the Sabbath day. |
| 6 | Exodus 31:15–16 | For six days work may be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of complete rest, holy to the LORD. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day must surely be put to death. The Israelites must keep the Sabbath, celebrating it as a permanent covenant for the generations to come. |
| 7 | Isaiah 58:3 | “Why have we fasted, and You have not seen? Why have we humbled ourselves, and You have not noticed?” “Behold, on the day of your fast, you do as you please, and you oppress all your workers. |
Exodus 23:12 Summary
This verse is telling us that God wants us to work for six days, but on the seventh day, we should rest and let others rest too, like our animals and the people who work for us. This is so that everyone can be refreshed and rejuvenated, just like God rested on the seventh day after creating the world (Genesis 2:2-3). By keeping the Sabbath day holy, we are remembering God's creation and his love for us, and we are also giving ourselves and others a chance to rest and focus on God (Exodus 20:8-11). This principle can still be applied today by prioritizing rest and worship on a regular basis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did God command the Israelites to rest on the seventh day?
God commanded the Israelites to rest on the seventh day so that their animals and servants could also rest and be refreshed, as seen in Exodus 23:12. This principle is also echoed in Exodus 20:10, where God commands the Israelites to remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.
What is the significance of including the son of the maidservant and the foreign resident in this command?
The inclusion of the son of the maidservant and the foreign resident in Exodus 23:12 emphasizes God's concern for the well-being of all people, regardless of their social status, as also seen in Leviticus 19:34 and Deuteronomy 10:19.
How does this command relate to our lives today?
While the specific command to rest on the seventh day was given to the Israelites, the principle of resting and giving others rest is still relevant today, as seen in Hebrews 4:9-11, where believers are encouraged to enter into God's rest.
What does it mean to 'cease' from work on the seventh day?
To 'cease' from work on the seventh day means to stop all normal activities and labor, and instead focus on rest, worship, and rejuvenation, as commanded in Exodus 23:12 and Exodus 34:21.
Reflection Questions
- How can I apply the principle of resting and giving others rest in my own life, and what changes might I need to make to prioritize this?
- What are some ways I can ensure that those who work for me or with me are also able to rest and be refreshed, just like the son of the maidservant and the foreign resident in Exodus 23:12?
- How does remembering the Sabbath day and keeping it holy, as commanded in Exodus 20:8-11, relate to my own walk with God and my relationship with others?
- What are some practical ways I can honor God's command to rest and give others rest, and what benefits might I experience as a result?
Gill's Exposition on Exodus 23:12
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 23:12
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 23:12
Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 23:12
Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 23:12
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 23:12
Cambridge Bible on Exodus 23:12
Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 23:12
Sermons on Exodus 23:12
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Our Lord Teaching Regarding the Sabbath Mark 2:23 to 3:6 by R.A. Torrey | R.A. Torrey emphasizes that the Sabbath was created for the benefit of humanity, not as a burden, and that the needs of people take precedence over rigid ceremonial laws. He illust |
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Jesus Interprets the Law by Paul Bramsen | Paul Bramsen preaches about the wisdom of interpreting daily experiences, making personal rules for living, considering others' experiences, and ultimately obeying the words of God |
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Weighed in the Balance (Sermon Reading) by D.L. Moody | In this sermon, the preacher begins by describing a scene of chaos and destruction, emphasizing the importance of paying attention to the word "Tinkle." He then urges the congregat |
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Beginning of the End by Alan Redpath | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the Feeding of the Five Thousand, where Jesus teaches his disciples a valuable lesson. The preacher emphasizes the importance of giving every |
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How to Bring Your Children to Christ by Ray Comfort | In this sermon, the speaker shares personal experiences and observations about the transformative power of God's word. He emphasizes the importance of having a fear of God and reco |
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(God and Man) Entering God's Sabbath Rest by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker shares his personal experience of dedicating Wednesdays and Saturdays to fasting and prayer. He and another brother would spend hours in prayer after th |
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(Exodus) Exodus 20:8-17 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the fourth commandment, which is to remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. He explains that the Sabbath was given to the nation of Israe |







