Exodus 20:10

But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:

Exodus 20:10 (KJV)

Context

Exodus 20:10 stands within the Ten Commandments, which God gave to Israel through Moses at Mount Sinai. The verse names the seventh day as the Sabbath of the Lord and forbids all work on it. The command reaches every member of the household: sons, daughters, servants, livestock, and the stranger within the gates.

Meaning

The phrase “the sabbath of the LORD thy God” declares that the day belongs to God and must be kept holy. It is a day of rest and worship, set apart from ordinary labor. This is not a suggestion but a direct order, carrying the full weight of the Decalogue.

The rest is comprehensive. It includes every person and animal under the household head’s authority, showing that the Sabbath is communal, not merely personal. Even the resident alien, the “stranger that is within thy gates,” shares in the rest. This reveals God’s care for the marginalized and affirms that all people stand equal before Him.

Biblical connections

The Sabbath command is repeated in Deuteronomy 5:12-15, where it is tied to God’s redemption of Israel from Egypt. That connection is absent here, but it deepens the meaning of rest as a gift from God. The verse also reflects God’s own rest after creation, as described in Genesis 2:2-3, grounding the command in His example.

Application

For believers today, the principle of setting aside time for rest and worship remains valuable. The command teaches trust in God by ceasing from our own labor. It also calls us to ensure that those under our care, including employees and guests, are not burdened without rest.

Reflection

The Sabbath is both a gift and a command. It reminds us that God owns our time and that we are not defined by our work. By honoring a day of rest, we acknowledge our dependence on Him and open space for spiritual renewal.