Exodus 31:14

Verse

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.

American Standard Version (1901)

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.

Bible in Basic English

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.

Douay-Rheims 1899

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.

Free Bible Version

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.

Geneva Bible 1599

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.

King James (Authorized) Version

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.

One Unity Resource Bible

You shall keep the Sabbath ·To cease· 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.

Translation for Translators

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.

Unlocked Literal Bible

So you must keep the Sabbath, for it must be treated by you as holy, reserved for him. Everyone who defiles it must surely be put to death. Whoever works on the Sabbath, that person must surely be cut off from his people.

Noah Webster Bible

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.

World English Bible

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.

Young's Literal Translation

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.

Context

The Sign of the Sabbath

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.

Summary

Exodus 31:14 emphasizes the importance of observing the Sabbath as a sacred day of rest dedicated to the Lord. This commandment serves as a reminder of God's creation and His rest on the seventh day, setting it apart as holy. By honoring the Sabbath, believers demonstrate their obedience and trust in God's provision, recognizing His sovereignty over time and work. The Sabbath also symbolizes the spiritual rest found in Christ, pointing to the ultimate rest and restoration in God's eternal kingdom. Overall, this verse highlights the significance of rest, worship, and consecration in the life of a believer.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
John Gill
Tyndale

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

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.