Exodus 31:14
Exodus 31:14 in Multiple Translations
Keep the Sabbath, for it is holy to you. Anyone who profanes it must surely be put to death. Whoever does any work on that day must be cut off from among his people.
Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.
Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that profaneth it shall surely be put to death; for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.
So you are to keep the Sabbath as a holy day; and anyone not honouring it will certainly be put to death: whoever does any work on that day will be cut off from his people.
You shall keep the Sabbath because it is holy to you. Anyone who dishonors it must be killed. Anyone who works on that day must be cut off from their people.
Ye shall therefore keepe the Sabbath: for it is holy vnto you: he that defileth it, shall die the death: therefore whosoeuer worketh therin, the same person shalbe euen cut off from among his people.
and ye have kept the sabbath, for it [is] holy to you, he who is polluting it is certainly put to death — for any who doeth work in it — that person hath even been cut off from the midst of his people.
You shall keep the Sabbath therefore, for it is holy to you. Everyone who profanes it shall surely be put to death; for whoever does any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.
Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore: for it is holy to you. Every one that profaneth it shall surely be put to death: for whoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.
Keep you my sabbath: for it is holy unto you: he that shall profane it, shall be put to death: he that shall do my work in it, his soul shall perish out of the midst of his people.
You must obey my rules about the Sabbath days because they are holy/sacred. Those who treat those days in an irreverent way by working on those days must be executed to show that I no longer consider them to belong to my people.
Berean Amplified Bible — Exodus 31:14
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 31:14 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וּ/שְׁמַרְתֶּם֙
אֶת
הַ/שַּׁבָּ֔ת
כִּ֛י
קֹ֥דֶשׁ
הִ֖וא
לָ/כֶ֑ם
מְחַֽלְלֶ֨י/הָ֙
מ֣וֹת
יוּמָ֔ת
כִּ֗י
כָּל
הָ/עֹשֶׂ֥ה
בָ/הּ֙
מְלָאכָ֔ה
וְ/נִכְרְתָ֛ה
הַ/נֶּ֥פֶשׁ
הַ/הִ֖וא
מִ/קֶּ֥רֶב
עַמֶּֽי/הָ
וּ/שְׁמַרְתֶּם֙
shâmar
H8104
to keep
Conj | V-Qal-2mp
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
הַ/שַּׁבָּ֔ת
shabbâth
H7676
Sabbath
Art | N-cs
כִּ֛י
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
קֹ֥דֶשׁ
qôdesh
H6944
Holy Place
N-ms
הִ֖וא
hûwʼ
H1931
he/she/it
Pron
לָ/כֶ֑ם
Prep | Suff
מְחַֽלְלֶ֨י/הָ֙
châlal
H2490
to bore
V-Piel | Suff
מ֣וֹת
mûwth
H4191
to die
V-Qal-Ptc
יוּמָ֔ת
mûwth
H4191
to die
V-Hophal-Imperf-3ms
כִּ֗י
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
כָּל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
הָ/עֹשֶׂ֥ה
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
Art | V-Qal
בָ/הּ֙
Prep | Suff
מְלָאכָ֔ה
mᵉlâʼkâh
H4399
work
N-fs
וְ/נִכְרְתָ֛ה
kârath
H3772
to cut
Conj | V-Niphal-3fs
הַ/נֶּ֥פֶשׁ
nephesh
H5315
soul
Art | N-cs
הַ/הִ֖וא
hûwʼ
H1931
he/she/it
Art | Pron
מִ/קֶּ֥רֶב
qereb
H7130
entrails
Prep | N-ms
עַמֶּֽי/הָ
ʻam
H5971
Amaw
N-mp | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Exodus 31:14
וּ/שְׁמַרְתֶּם֙
shâmar
H8104
"to keep"
Conj | V-Qal-2mp
To keep or obey means to protect, attend to, or guard something, like keeping a promise or watching over someone, as seen in the commands to observe the Sabbath.
Definition: : obey/observe 1) to keep, guard, observe, give heed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to keep, have charge of 1a2) to keep, guard, keep watch and ward, protect, save life 1a2a) watch, watchman (participle) 1a3) to watch for, wait for 1a4) to watch, observe 1a5) to keep, retain, treasure up (in memory) 1a6) to keep (within bounds), restrain 1a7) to observe, celebrate, keep (sabbath or covenant or commands), perform (vow) 1a8) to keep, preserve, protect 1a9) to keep, reserve 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be on one's guard, take heed, take care, beware 1b2) to keep oneself, refrain, abstain 1b3) to be kept, be guarded 1c) (Piel) to keep, pay heed 1d) (Hithpael) to keep oneself from
Usage: Occurs in 440 OT verses. KJV: beward, be circumspect, take heed (to self), keep(-er, self), mark, look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save (self), sure, (that lay) wait (for), watch(-man). See also: Genesis 2:15; Deuteronomy 11:1; 1 Kings 14:8.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
הַ/שַּׁבָּ֔ת
shabbâth
H7676
"Sabbath"
Art | N-cs
The Hebrew word for the Sabbath, a day of rest and worship, as commanded by God in Exodus 20:8-11 and observed by the Israelites. It is a special day set apart for spiritual renewal and reflection, as Jesus taught in Matthew 12:1-14.
Definition: Sabbath 1a) sabbath 1b) day of atonement 1c) sabbath year 1d) week 1e) produce (in sabbath year)
Usage: Occurs in 89 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase] every) sabbath. See also: Exodus 16:23; 2 Chronicles 2:3; Psalms 92:1.
כִּ֛י
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
קֹ֥דֶשׁ
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.
הִ֖וא
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.
לָ/כֶ֑ם
""
Prep | Suff
מְחַֽלְלֶ֨י/הָ֙
châlal
H2490
"to bore"
V-Piel | Suff
This Hebrew word means to profane or begin, like starting something new or breaking a rule. It appears in the Bible when someone disrespects God or a person, like in Ezekiel 22:26. It can also mean to play music or start a project.
Definition: 1) to wound (fatally), bore through, pierce, bore 1a) (Qal) to pierce 1b) (Pual) to be slain 1c) (Poel) to wound, pierce 1d) (Poal) to be wounded
Usage: Occurs in 132 OT verses. KJV: begin ([idiom] men began), defile, [idiom] break, defile, [idiom] eat (as common things), [idiom] first, [idiom] gather the grape thereof, [idiom] take inheritance, pipe, player on instruments, pollute, (cast as) profane (self), prostitute, slay (slain), sorrow, stain, wound. See also: Genesis 4:26; Ezra 3:8; Psalms 55:21.
מ֣וֹת
mûwth
H4191
"to die"
V-Qal-Ptc
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to die, either literally or as a punishment, and is used in books like Genesis and Exodus. It can also mean to perish or be killed. This concept is seen in the story of Adam and Eve, where death enters the world as a result of sin.
Definition: 1) to die, kill, have one executed 1a)(Qal) 1a1) to die 1a2) to die (as penalty), be put to death 1a3) to die, perish (of a nation) 1a4) to die prematurely (by neglect of wise moral conduct) 1b) (Polel) to kill, put to death, dispatch 1c) (Hiphil) to kill, put to death 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be killed, be put to death 1d1a) to die prematurely
Usage: Occurs in 695 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, [idiom] crying, (be) dead (body, man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to, be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), [idiom] must needs, slay, [idiom] surely, [idiom] very suddenly, [idiom] in (no) wise. See also: Genesis 2:17; Exodus 21:18; Numbers 35:21.
יוּמָ֔ת
mûwth
H4191
"to die"
V-Hophal-Imperf-3ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to die, either literally or as a punishment, and is used in books like Genesis and Exodus. It can also mean to perish or be killed. This concept is seen in the story of Adam and Eve, where death enters the world as a result of sin.
Definition: 1) to die, kill, have one executed 1a)(Qal) 1a1) to die 1a2) to die (as penalty), be put to death 1a3) to die, perish (of a nation) 1a4) to die prematurely (by neglect of wise moral conduct) 1b) (Polel) to kill, put to death, dispatch 1c) (Hiphil) to kill, put to death 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be killed, be put to death 1d1a) to die prematurely
Usage: Occurs in 695 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, [idiom] crying, (be) dead (body, man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to, be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), [idiom] must needs, slay, [idiom] surely, [idiom] very suddenly, [idiom] in (no) wise. See also: Genesis 2:17; Exodus 21:18; Numbers 35:21.
כִּ֗י
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
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.
הָ/עֹשֶׂ֥ה
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
Art | V-Qal
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/הּ֙
""
Prep | Suff
מְלָאכָ֔ה
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.
וְ/נִכְרְתָ֛ה
kârath
H3772
"to cut"
Conj | V-Niphal-3fs
This Hebrew word means to cut or destroy something, but it also has a special meaning related to making a covenant or agreement. In Genesis 15:18, God makes a covenant with Abram, symbolized by cutting animals in half, showing the seriousness of the promise. This word is used to describe important agreements and alliances.
Definition: : cut/fell 1) to cut, cut off, cut down, cut off a body part, cut out, eliminate, kill, cut a covenant 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to cut off 1a1a) to cut off a body part, behead 1a2) to cut down 1a3) to hew 1a4) to cut or make a covenant 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be cut off 1b2) to be cut down 1b3) to be chewed 1b4) to be cut off, fail 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to be cut off 1c2) to be cut down 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cut off 1d2) to cut off, destroy 1d3) to cut down, destroy 1d4) to take away 1d5) to permit to perish 1e) (Hophal) cut off
Usage: Occurs in 280 OT verses. KJV: be chewed, be con-(feder-) ate, covenant, cut (down, off), destroy, fail, feller, be freed, hew (down), make a league (covenant), [idiom] lose, perish, [idiom] utterly, [idiom] want. See also: Genesis 9:11; 1 Samuel 24:6; Psalms 12:4.
הַ/נֶּ֥פֶשׁ
nephesh
H5315
"soul"
Art | 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.
הַ/הִ֖וא
hûwʼ
H1931
"he/she/it"
Art | 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.
מִ/קֶּ֥רֶב
qereb
H7130
"entrails"
Prep | N-ms
This Hebrew word means the inner part or midst of something, whether physical or emotional, and can refer to the entrails of an animal or the seat of thought and emotion. In 1 Kings 17:21, it describes Elijah's emotional plea to God.
Definition: : among/within 1) midst, among, inner part, middle 1a) inward part 1a1) physical sense 1a2) as seat of thought and emotion 1a3) as faculty of thought and emotion 1b) in the midst, among, from among (of a number of persons) 1c) entrails (of sacrificial animals) Also means: qe.rev (קֶ֫רֶב ": inner_parts" H7130H)
Usage: Occurs in 220 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] among, [idiom] before, bowels, [idiom] unto charge, [phrase] eat (up), [idiom] heart, [idiom] him, [idiom] in, inward ([idiom] -ly, part, -s, thought), midst, [phrase] out of, purtenance, [idiom] therein, [idiom] through, [idiom] within self. See also: Genesis 18:12; Joshua 7:12; Psalms 5:10.
עַמֶּֽי/הָ
ʻam
H5971
"Amaw"
N-mp | Suff
A people or nation is what this Hebrew word represents, like the nation of Israel in Exodus 33:13. It can also mean a tribe, troops, or attendants, and is used to describe a group of people gathered together. The word is often used to refer to the people of God.
Definition: This name means nation, people
Usage: Occurs in 1655 OT verses. KJV: folk, men, nation, people. See also: Genesis 11:6; Exodus 16:4; Leviticus 17:9.
Study Notes — Exodus 31:14
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Context — The Sign of the Sabbath
12And the LORD said to Moses,
13“Tell the Israelites, ‘Surely you must keep My Sabbaths, for this will be a sign between Me and you for the generations to come, so that you may know that I am the LORD who sanctifies you.
14Keep the Sabbath, for it is holy to you. Anyone who profanes it must surely be put to death. Whoever does any work on that day must be cut off from among his people.
15For 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. 16The Israelites must keep the Sabbath, celebrating it as a permanent covenant for the generations to come.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exodus 35:2–3 | For six days work may be done, but the seventh day shall be your holy day, a Sabbath of complete rest to the LORD. Whoever does any work on that day must be put to death. Do not light a fire in any of your dwellings on the Sabbath day.” |
| 2 | Numbers 15:32–36 | While the Israelites were in the wilderness, a man was found gathering wood on the Sabbath day. Those who found the man gathering wood brought him to Moses, Aaron, and the whole congregation, and because it had not been declared what should be done to him, they placed him in custody. And the LORD said to Moses, “The man must surely be put to death. The whole congregation is to stone him outside the camp.” So the whole congregation took the man outside the camp and stoned him to death, as the LORD had commanded Moses. |
| 3 | Ezekiel 20:21 | But the children rebelled against Me. They did not walk in My statutes or carefully observe My ordinances—though the man who does these things will live by them—and they profaned My Sabbaths. So I resolved to pour out My wrath upon them and vent My anger against them in the wilderness. |
| 4 | Ezekiel 20:12–13 | I also gave them My Sabbaths as a sign between us, so that they would know that I am the LORD who sanctifies them. Yet the house of Israel rebelled against Me in the wilderness. They did not follow My statutes and they rejected My ordinances—though the man who does these things will live by them—and they utterly profaned My Sabbaths. Then I resolved to pour out My wrath upon them and put an end to them in the wilderness. |
| 5 | Exodus 20:8 | Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. |
| 6 | Isaiah 58:13–14 | If you turn your foot from breaking the Sabbath, from doing as you please on My holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight, and the LORD’s holy day honorable, if you honor it by not going your own way or seeking your own pleasure or speaking idle words, then you will delight yourself in the LORD, and I will make you ride on the heights of the land and feed you with the heritage of your father Jacob.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken. |
| 7 | Nehemiah 9:14 | You revealed to them Your holy Sabbath and gave them commandments and statutes and laws through Your servant Moses. |
| 8 | Deuteronomy 5:12–15 | Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the LORD your God has commanded you. 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. |
| 9 | Ezekiel 20:16 | because they kept rejecting My ordinances, refusing to walk in My statutes, and profaning My Sabbaths; for their hearts continually went after their idols. |
| 10 | Ezekiel 44:24 | In any dispute, they shall officiate as judges and judge according to My ordinances. They must keep My laws and statutes regarding all My appointed feasts, and they must keep My Sabbaths holy. |
Exodus 31:14 Summary
God commanded the Israelites to keep the Sabbath as a holy day, setting it apart from the rest of the week for rest and worship. This meant that they were not to do any work on that day, but instead use it as a time to focus on God and trust in His provision, as seen in Exodus 31:15. By keeping the Sabbath, the Israelites were reminded of God's power and authority in their lives, and were able to rest in His care, just as we are encouraged to do in Matthew 11:28-30. By prioritizing rest and worship, we can deepen our relationship with God and find true rest for our souls.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to profane the Sabbath?
To profane the Sabbath means to treat it as any ordinary day, rather than a day set apart for rest and worship, as commanded in Exodus 31:14. This is also emphasized in Ezekiel 20:12-13, where God warns against profaning the Sabbath.
Why is the punishment for breaking the Sabbath so severe?
The punishment for breaking the Sabbath, as stated in Exodus 31:14, is severe because it represents a rejection of God's authority and a disregard for His commandments, as also seen in Numbers 15:32-36 where a man was put to death for gathering sticks on the Sabbath.
How does this verse relate to the New Testament concept of rest?
While the specific Sabbath regulations in Exodus 31:14 are part of the Old Covenant, the principle of rest and trust in God's provision is still relevant today, as seen in Hebrews 4:9-11, where believers are encouraged to enter into God's rest.
Is the Sabbath still relevant for Christians today?
Although Christians are not bound by the same Sabbath regulations as the Israelites, the principle of setting aside time for rest and worship is still important, as seen in Mark 2:27, where Jesus teaches that the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can prioritize rest and worship in my own life, just as God commanded the Israelites to do in Exodus 31:14?
- How can I balance the need for work and productivity with the need for rest and trust in God's provision, as seen in Exodus 31:15?
- What are some common ways that I might be 'profaning the Sabbath' in my own life, and how can I repent and make a change?
- How can I use the Sabbath as a day to refocus on God and prioritize my relationship with Him, as commanded in Exodus 31:13?
Gill's Exposition on Exodus 31:14
Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore,.... Strictly observe it, according to the rules given concerning it: for it is holy unto you; a day that was set apart of God for holy exercises, peculiarly on
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 31:14
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 31:14
Shall surely be put to death; of which see an example, , &c. i.e. Servile work, as it is explained. , &c.
Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 31:14
Exodus 31:14 Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it [is] holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth [any] work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people. Ver. 14:. For it is holy unto you.] Hence the Hebrews gather, but falsely, that only Israel was charged with the Sabbath day, and not the nations of the world: but the Sabbath was kept before Israel was born.
Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 31:14
(14) Every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death.—This is a new enactment, and must be regarded in conjunction with the new dignity attached to Sabbath observance by its having become the special covenant sign between God and His people. The Sabbath-breaker now threw himself out of covenant with God, and not only so, but did what in him lay to throw the whole people out of covenant. His guilt was therefore great, and the assignment to it of the death-penalty is in no way surprising; rather, it is in accordance with the general spirit of the code (see Exodus 21:16-17; Exodus 21:29; Exodus 22:18-20, &c.). When the occasion arose, there was no hesitation in carrying the law out (Numbers 15:32-35). Cut off.—Or, separated, set apart from. His act at once cast him out from the number of God’s people, made him an outlaw, ipso facto excommunicated him.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 31:14
Verse 14. Every one that defileth it] By any kind of idolatrous or profane worship. Shall surely be put to death] The magistrates shall examine into the business, and if the accused be found guilty, he shall be stoned to death. Shall be cut off] Because that person who could so far contemn the Sabbath, which was a sign to them of the rest which remained for the people of God, was of course an infidel, and should be cut off from all the privileges and expectations of an Israelite.
Cambridge Bible on Exodus 31:14
14. holy] cf. Exodus 16:23 (P), Exodus 20:8 (E), Isaiah 58:13, Ezekiel 20:20, &c. profaneth] To ‘profane’ is characteristic—like its opposite, to ‘sanctify’—of H, Leviticus 18:21; Leviticus 19:8; Leviticus 19:12; Leviticus 19:29; Leviticus 20:3; Leviticus 21:4; Leviticus 21:6; Leviticus 21:9 (twice), Leviticus 21:12; Leviticus 21:15; Leviticus 21:23, Leviticus 22:2; Leviticus 22:9; Leviticus 22:15; Leviticus 22:32, and Ezek. (about 30 times,—6 times, as here, of the sabbath, viz. Ezekiel 20:13; Ezekiel 20:16; Ezekiel 20:21; Ezekiel 20:24, Ezekiel 22:8, Ezekiel 23:38 : so Isaiah 56:2, Nehemiah 13:18). In P only once (Numbers 18:32). shall surely be put to death] cf., in the Book of the Covenant, Exodus 21:12; Exodus 21:14-17, Exodus 22:19; and in H, for various moral and religious offences, Leviticus 20:2; Leviticus 20:9-13; Leviticus 20:15-16; Leviticus 20:27; Leviticus 24:16-17 (for murder). In Numbers 15:32-36 (P) this penalty for sabbath-breaking is said to have been inflicted. that soul, &c.] See on Exodus 12:15, and Exodus 30:33.
Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 31:14
14. Surely be put to death — It is to be noted that all the commandments of the first table have the death penalty attached to their violation, and so it is taught that the wilful breaking of any of
Sermons on Exodus 31:14
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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(Exodus) Exodus 31:12-17 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the importance of observing the Sabbath day. He emphasizes that the Sabbath was given to the children of Israel as a sign between them and G |
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Honoring the Sabbath by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the importance of honoring the Sabbath and how it has personally impacted his life. He emphasizes that while many people may value the legal s |
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Three Marks of New Convenant Life by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of not turning back and instead, pressing forward to win the battle and conquer new territories. He encourages the audience to |
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The Sabbath & Sabbatarianism by J.I. Packer | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the concept of Christian liberty in relation to the Fourth Commandment. He explains that the reformers believed that apart from attending wor |
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Promise Believers #1 - Man's Promises or God's Promises by Bob Hoekstra | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the assurance that God will never leave or forsake His people. He encourages believers to boldly declare that the Lord is their helper, guar |
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K-069 the Wilderness Call by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker shares a personal experience of delivering a message on Elijah in Jerusalem. Despite misinterpreting a note and speaking for longer than intended, the s |
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Then… the Nations Shall Know That He Is Lord. by Andrew Murray | Andrew Murray emphasizes that God's judgment is essential for His people to experience salvation and for the nations to recognize Him as Lord. The book of Ezekiel illustrates that |