Exodus 35:2

Verse

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.

American Standard Version (1901)

Six days shall work be done; but on the seventh day there shall be to you a holy day, a sabbath of solemn rest to Jehovah: whosoever doeth any work therein shall be put to death.

Bible in Basic English

Six days let work be done, but the seventh day is to be a holy day to you, a Sabbath of rest to the Lord; whoever does any work on that day is to be put to death.

Douay-Rheims 1899

Six days you shall do work: the seventh day shall be holy unto you, the sabbath, and the rest of the Lord: he that shall do any work on it, shall be put to death.

Free Bible Version

Six days you can work, but the seventh day is to be a holy Sabbath of rest to the Lord. Anyone who does any work on the Sabbath day must be killed.

Geneva Bible 1599

Six dayes thou shalt work, but the seuenth day shall bee vnto you the holy Sabbath of rest vnto the Lord: whosoeuer doth any worke therein, shall die.

King James (Authorized) Version

Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be to you an holy day, a sabbath of rest to the LORD: whosoever doeth work therein shall be put to death.

One Unity Resource Bible

‘Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be a holy day for you, a Sabbath of solemn rest to Adonai : whoever does any work in it shall be put to death.

Translation for Translators

Each week you may work for six days, but on the seventh day you must rest. It is a sacred day, dedicated to Yahweh. Anyone who does any work on the seventh day must be executed.

Unlocked Literal Bible

On six days work may be done, but for you, the seventh day must be a holy day, a Sabbath day of complete rest, holy to Yahweh. Whoever does any work on that day must be put to death.

Noah Webster Bible

Six days shall work be done; but on the seventh day there shall be to you a holy day, a sabbath of rest to the LORD: whoever doth work therein shall be put to death.

World English Bible

‘Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be a holy day for you, a Sabbath of solemn rest to Yahweh: whoever does any work in it shall be put to death.

Young's Literal Translation

Six days is work done, and on the seventh day there is to you a holy [day], a sabbath of rest to Jehovah; any who doeth work in it is put to death;

Context

The Sabbath

¹Then Moses assembled the whole congregation of Israel and said to them, “These are the things that the LORD has commanded you to do:²For 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.³Do not light a fire in any of your dwellings on the Sabbath day.”

Summary

In Exodus 35:2, God commands the Israelites to observe the Sabbath as a day of rest and holiness. This instruction underscores the importance of honoring God's designated times for worship and reflection. By setting aside the Sabbath for rest and worship, the Israelites demonstrate their obedience and faithfulness to God. This verse serves as a reminder of the significance of prioritizing spiritual practices and dedicating time to commune with the Lord. Observing the Sabbath also reflects the Israelites' trust in God's provision and sovereignty over their lives.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

Six days shall work be done,.... Or "may be done" (u); everyone might do what work he pleased, or the business of his calling, on the six days of the weeks; he had liberty granted him of God, and might make use of it for the advantage of himself and his family; unless this can be thought to have a peculiar respect, as this repetition and renewal of this law seems to have, to the building of the tabernacle; and so is an order for working at it closely and constantly all the six days of the week, and in things belonging to it, until the whole was finished: but on the seventh day there shall be to you an holy day; or "holiness" (w); wholly holy, and be separated and devoted to holy service and religious duties, abstaining from all manner of work, even from the work of the tabernacle; for though that was designed for the worship of God, and required dispatch, yet the sabbath was not to be violated on account of it: and, as Jarchi observes, this admonition concerning the sabbath was given previous to the command of building the tabernacle; to show that that did not drive away the sabbath, or that the sabbath was not to give way to it, or to be broken for the sake of it, it being a sabbath of rest to the Lord; in which the Israelites were to rest from bodily labour, and spend the day in the service of God, and to his honour and glory: whosoever doeth work therein: even though it might be in anything belonging to the tabernacle: shall be put to death; the Targum of Jonathan adds, by casting stones, stoning being the punishment of sabbath breakers, Num 15:35. (u) "fiat", Piscator. (w) "sanctitas", Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus, Drusius.