Ezekiel 20:20
Ezekiel 20:20 in Multiple Translations
Keep My Sabbaths holy, that they may be a sign between us, so that you may know that I am the LORD your God.’
And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the LORD your God.
and hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am Jehovah your God.
And keep my Sabbaths holy; and they will be a sign between me and you so that it may be clear to you that I am the Lord your God.
Keep my Sabbaths holy so they may be a sign between me and you, so that you may acknowledge that I am the Lord your God.’
And sanctifie my Sabbaths, and they shall bee a signe betweene mee and you, that ye may knowe that I am the Lord your God.
And My sabbaths sanctify, And they have been for a sign between Me and you, To know that I, Jehovah, [am] your God.
Make my Sabbaths holy. They shall be a sign between me and you, that you may know that I am the LORD your God.’
And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the LORD your God.
And sanctify my sabbaths, that they may be a sign between me and you: and that you may know that I am the Lord your God.
Respect my Sabbath days, in order that by doing that [PRS], it will remind you that you belong to me, Yahweh your God.’
Berean Amplified Bible — Ezekiel 20:20
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.
Ezekiel 20:20 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/אֶת
שַׁבְּתוֹתַ֖/י
קַדֵּ֑שׁוּ
וְ/הָי֤וּ
לְ/אוֹת֙
בֵּינִ֣/י
וּ/בֵֽינֵי/כֶ֔ם
לָ/דַ֕עַת
כִּ֛י
אֲנִ֥י
יְהוָ֖ה
אֱלֹהֵי/כֶֽם
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
Conj | DirObjM
שַׁבְּתוֹתַ֖/י
shabbâth
H7676
Sabbath
N-cp | Suff
קַדֵּ֑שׁוּ
qâdash
H6942
to consecrate
V-Piel-Impv-2mp
וְ/הָי֤וּ
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Conj | V-Qal-3cp
לְ/אוֹת֙
ʼôwth
H226
sign
Prep | N-cs
בֵּינִ֣/י
bêyn
H996
between
Prep | Suff
וּ/בֵֽינֵי/כֶ֔ם
bêyn
H996
between
Conj | Prep | Suff
לָ/דַ֕עַת
yâdaʻ
H3045
to know
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
כִּ֛י
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
אֲנִ֥י
ʼănîy
H589
I
Pron
יְהוָ֖ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
אֱלֹהֵי/כֶֽם
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
God
N-mp | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Ezekiel 20:20
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
Conj | 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.
שַׁבְּתוֹתַ֖/י
shabbâth
H7676
"Sabbath"
N-cp | Suff
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.
קַדֵּ֑שׁוּ
qâdash
H6942
"to consecrate"
V-Piel-Impv-2mp
To consecrate means to set something or someone apart as holy or sacred, like the priests in Exodus. This word is about making something clean or pure. It is used in the Bible to describe sacred rituals and moral purity.
Definition: : consecate/sanctify 1) to consecrate, sanctify, prepare, dedicate, be hallowed, be holy, be sanctified, be separate 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be set apart, be consecrated 1a2) to be hallowed 1a3) consecrated, tabooed 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to show oneself sacred or majestic 1b2) to be honoured, be treated as sacred 1b3) to be holy 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to set apart as sacred, consecrate, dedicate 1c2) to observe as holy, keep sacred 1c3) to honour as sacred, hallow 1c4) to consecrate 1d) (Pual) 1d1) to be consecrated 1d2) consecrated, dedicated 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to set apart, devote, consecrate 1e2) to regard or treat as sacred or hallow 1e3) to consecrate 1f) (Hithpael) 1f1) to keep oneself apart or separate 1f2) to cause Himself to be hallowed (of God) 1f3) to be observed as holy 1f4) to consecrate oneself
Usage: Occurs in 154 OT verses. KJV: appoint, bid, consecrate, dedicate, defile, hallow, (be, keep) holy(-er, place), keep, prepare, proclaim, purify, sanctify(-ied one, self), [idiom] wholly. See also: Genesis 2:3; 2 Samuel 11:4; Isaiah 5:16.
וְ/הָי֤וּ
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
Conj | V-Qal-3cp
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.
לְ/אוֹת֙
ʼôwth
H226
"sign"
Prep | N-cs
A miraculous sign or wonder, like a beacon or monument. In the Bible, it appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah. It means a signal or token of God's power.
Definition: : miraculous 1) sign, signal 1a) a distinguishing mark 1b) banner 1c) remembrance 1d) miraculous sign 1e) omen 1f) warning 2) token, ensign, standard, miracle, proof
Usage: Occurs in 77 OT verses. KJV: mark, miracle, (en-) sign, token. See also: Genesis 1:14; Joshua 2:12; Psalms 65:9.
בֵּינִ֣/י
bêyn
H996
"between"
Prep | Suff
Between is the meaning of this preposition, used to show a location or a choice, like either or, as seen in Exodus where it describes the space between two objects.
Definition: : between between, among, in the midst of (with other preps), from between
Usage: Occurs in 248 OT verses. KJV: among, asunder, at, between (-twixt...and), [phrase] from (the widest), [idiom] in, out of, whether (it be...or), within. See also: Genesis 1:4; Joshua 24:7; Psalms 68:14.
וּ/בֵֽינֵי/כֶ֔ם
bêyn
H996
"between"
Conj | Prep | Suff
Between is the meaning of this preposition, used to show a location or a choice, like either or, as seen in Exodus where it describes the space between two objects.
Definition: : between between, among, in the midst of (with other preps), from between
Usage: Occurs in 248 OT verses. KJV: among, asunder, at, between (-twixt...and), [phrase] from (the widest), [idiom] in, out of, whether (it be...or), within. See also: Genesis 1:4; Joshua 24:7; Psalms 68:14.
לָ/דַ֕עַת
yâdaʻ
H3045
"to know"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
The Hebrew word for to know means to ascertain by seeing, and is used in many senses, including to learn, perceive, and recognize, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to know 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to know 1a1a) to know, learn to know 1a1b) to perceive 1a1c) to perceive and see, find out and discern 1a1d) to discriminate, distinguish 1a1e) to know by experience 1a1f) to recognise, admit, acknowledge, confess 1a1g) to consider 1a2) to know, be acquainted with 1a3) to know (a person carnally) 1a4) to know how, be skilful in 1a5) to have knowledge, be wise 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be made known, be or become known, be revealed 1b2) to make oneself known 1b3) to be perceived 1b4) to be instructed 1c) (Piel) to cause to know 1d) (Poal) to cause to know 1e) (Pual) 1e1) to be known 1e2) known, one known, acquaintance (participle) 1f) (Hiphil) to make known, declare 1g) (Hophal) to be made known 1h) (Hithpael) to make oneself known, reveal oneself Aramaic equivalent: ye.da (יְדַע "to know" H3046)
Usage: Occurs in 874 OT verses. KJV: acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot. See also: Genesis 3:5; Leviticus 5:4; Judges 21:12.
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.
אֲנִ֥י
ʼănîy
H589
"I"
Pron
This Hebrew word is a simple way of saying 'I' or 'me', often used for emphasis. It is used by people like David in the Psalms to express their thoughts and feelings. The word is a basic part of the Hebrew language.
Definition: I (first pers. sing. -usually used for emphasis)
Usage: Occurs in 803 OT verses. KJV: I, (as for) me, mine, myself, we, [idiom] which, [idiom] who. See also: Genesis 6:17; Leviticus 19:36; 1 Samuel 25:24.
יְהוָ֖ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
אֱלֹהֵי/כֶֽם
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
"God"
N-mp | Suff
The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.
Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 2246 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.
Study Notes — Ezekiel 20:20
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Ezekiel 20:20 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 20:20
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 20:20
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 20:20
- Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 20:20
- Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 20:20
- Sermons on Ezekiel 20:20
Context — Israel’s Rebellion in the Wilderness
18In the wilderness I said to their children: ‘Do not walk in the statutes of your fathers or keep their ordinances or defile yourselves with their idols.
19I am the LORD your God; walk in My statutes, keep My ordinances, and practice them.
20Keep My Sabbaths holy, that they may be a sign between us, so that you may know that I am the LORD your God.’
21But 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. 22But I withheld My hand and acted for the sake of My name, so that it would not be profaned in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 58:13 | 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, |
| 2 | Jeremiah 17:22 | 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. |
| 3 | Exodus 31:13–17 | “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. 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. 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. It is a sign between Me and the Israelites forever; for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, but on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.’” |
| 4 | Ezekiel 20:12 | I also gave them My Sabbaths as a sign between us, so that they would know that I am the LORD who sanctifies them. |
| 5 | 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. |
| 6 | Nehemiah 13:15–22 | In those days I saw people in Judah treading winepresses on the Sabbath and bringing in grain and loading it on donkeys, along with wine, grapes, and figs. All kinds of goods were being brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. So I warned them against selling food on that day. Additionally, men of Tyre who lived there were importing fish and all kinds of merchandise and selling them on the Sabbath to the people of Judah in Jerusalem. Then I rebuked the nobles of Judah and asked, “What is this evil you are doing—profaning the Sabbath day? Did not your forefathers do the same things, so that our God brought all this disaster on us and on this city? And now you are rekindling His wrath against Israel by profaning the Sabbath!” When the evening shadows began to fall on the gates of Jerusalem, just before the Sabbath, I ordered that the gates be shut and not opened until after the Sabbath. I posted some of my servants at the gates so that no load could enter on the Sabbath day. Once or twice, the merchants and those who sell all kinds of goods camped outside Jerusalem, but I warned them, “Why are you camping in front of the wall? If you do it again, I will lay hands on you.” From that time on, they did not return on the Sabbath. Then I instructed the Levites to purify themselves and guard the gates in order to keep the Sabbath day holy. Remember me for this as well, O my God, and show me mercy according to Your abundant loving devotion. |
| 7 | Jeremiah 17:24 | If, however, you listen carefully to Me, says the LORD, and bring no load through the gates of this city on the Sabbath day, and keep the Sabbath day holy, and do no work on it, |
| 8 | Jeremiah 17:27 | But if you do not listen to Me to keep the Sabbath day holy by not carrying a load while entering the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day, then I will kindle an unquenchable fire in its gates to consume the citadels of Jerusalem.’” |
| 9 | Exodus 20:11 | 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. |
Ezekiel 20:20 Summary
[God wants us to keep the Sabbath holy as a way of remembering and honoring Him, and this helps us to know that He is our Lord and God, as seen in Ezekiel 20:20. By keeping the Sabbath holy, we are acknowledging and honoring His presence in our lives. This can be a special time to rest, worship, and focus on God, and it can help us to feel closer to Him, as encouraged in Psalm 95:6-7. As we prioritize keeping the Sabbath holy, we can experience a deeper sense of peace and connection with God, and we can remember that He is our Lord and God, as seen in Exodus 20:8-11.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does God want us to keep the Sabbath holy?
God wants us to keep the Sabbath holy as a sign of our relationship with Him, so that we may know He is our Lord and God, as seen in Ezekiel 20:20, and also in Exodus 20:8-11 where He commands us to remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.
Is the Sabbath still important for Christians today?
While the New Testament does not command us to keep the Sabbath in the same way as the Old Testament, the principle of resting and honoring God is still important, as seen in Hebrews 4:9-11, where it talks about entering God's rest.
How can we apply the concept of keeping the Sabbath holy in our modern lives?
We can apply this concept by setting aside time to rest and focus on God, whether that's on a Sunday or another day of the week, and using that time to worship, pray, and read Scripture, as encouraged in Psalm 95:6-7 and Matthew 11:28-30.
What does it mean for the Sabbath to be a sign between us and God?
The Sabbath being a sign between us and God means that it serves as a reminder of our covenant relationship with Him, and that by keeping it holy, we are acknowledging and honoring His presence in our lives, as seen in Ezekiel 20:20 and Exodus 31:13-17.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can prioritize keeping the Sabbath holy in my own life, and what benefits might I experience as a result?
- How does keeping the Sabbath holy help me to remember that God is my Lord and God, and what are some practical ways I can apply this truth in my daily life?
- In what ways can I use the Sabbath as a time to rest and recharge, and how might this impact my relationship with God and others?
- What are some distractions or obstacles that might keep me from keeping the Sabbath holy, and how can I overcome them in order to prioritize my relationship with God?
Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 20:20
And hallow my sabbaths,.... Or keep them holy, by abstaining from worldly business on them; by observing all the duties of religion, private and public, to be performed on such days: and they shall
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 20:20
And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the LORD your God. Hallow my sabbaths - (Jeremiah 17:22).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 20:20
Hallow my sabbaths; remember to keep them holy, employ them on holy works of God’ s solemn and public worship, and cease from servile and worldly businesses. A sign: see . As the Friday observed a rest is the sign of a Turk, the seventh day observed is the sign of a Jew, and distinguisheth: so it was of old, so it is now: the Christian sabbath is a sign between Christ and us. May know more fully, acknowledge it more openly, and in waiting on mine ordinances may know by experience what the almighty grace of your God can do.
Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 20:20
Ezekiel 20:20 And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I [am] the LORD your God.Ver. 20. And hallow my Sabbaths.] By abandoning as well spiritual idleness as corporal labour. And they shall be a sign.] See on Ezekiel 20:11.
Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 20:20
5–29. Review of the history of the fathers The principle that has ruled this history is that all through it Jehovah has acted for his name’s sake. It is this principle that has given Israel a history, otherwise their sins would have cut them off. For his name’s sake he spared the people in Egypt (Ezekiel 20:9), again in the wilderness (Ezekiel 20:14), and again the second generation there (Ezekiel 20:22). The history is reviewed in these divisions: Ezekiel 20:5-10 Israel in Egypt; Ezekiel 20:11-17 the people led out into the wilderness: Ezekiel 20:18-26 the children of those who fell in the wilderness; and Ezekiel 20:27-29 the people that entered Canaan.
Sermons on Ezekiel 20:20
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Walking With God in Your Generation (Norwegian) by Zac Poonen | This sermon emphasizes the importance of walking with God and living a life that pleases Him, drawing inspiration from the examples of Enoch and Noah. It challenges young people to |
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Guidelines to Freedom Part 4 - Holy Day or Holiday? by Alistair Begg | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of what we talk about before and after worship. He warns against engaging in conversations about worldly matters, as it can br |
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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 |
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Inward Purity by Hans R. Waldvogel | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of living a life that pleases God. He highlights the need to show compassion and help those in need, such as feeding the hung |
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10 Commandments: Commandments 3 & 4 by Shane Idleman | Shane Idleman discusses the relevance of the Third and Fourth Commandments, emphasizing the seriousness of taking the Lord's name in vain and the importance of commitment in our pr |
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The Fourth Commandment by A.W. Pink | A.W. Pink emphasizes the significance of the Fourth Commandment, which calls for the observance of the Sabbath as a day of rest and worship. He explains that this commandment is no |
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Special Rules for Young Men by J.C. Ryle | J.C. Ryle emphasizes the importance of young men committing to a life of holiness and diligence in their Christian walk. He urges them to break off every known sin, avoid occasions |