Exodus 20:11
What does Exodus 20:11 mean?
A plain-English look at Exodus 20:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Exodus 20:11 means
This verse provides the theological foundation for the Sabbath command by referencing God's own act of creation. Just as God worked for six days to create the heavens, earth, and sea, and then rested on the seventh, so too are His people to follow His pattern. This establishes the Sabbath not merely as a human custom, but as a divine institution rooted in the very order of creation. God blessed and hallowed the seventh day, making it sacred and a blessing for humanity.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000for in six days Jehovah made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore Jehovah blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901for in six days Jehovah made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore Jehovah blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and the sea, and everything in them, and he took his rest on the seventh day: for this reason the Lord has given his blessing to the seventh day and made it holy.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862for six days hath Jehovah made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that <FI>is<Fi> in them, and resteth in the seventh day; therefore hath Jehovah blessed the Sabbath-day, and doth sanctify it.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and the sea, and all things that are in them, and rested on the seventh day: therefore the Lord blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For in six days Jehovah made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore Jehovah blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
Context
This verse provides the ultimate reason for observing the Sabbath, linking it directly to the creation week. It gives the foundational theological context for the entire Sabbath commandment. By grounding the Sabbath in God's creative work, it elevates its importance beyond mere ritual to a reflection of the divine order. This explanation concludes the set of commandments primarily focused on humanity's relationship with God, before transitioning to commandments concerning human relationships.
v.10but the seventh day is a sabbath unto Jehovah thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:
v.11This passage
v.12Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long in the land which Jehovah thy God giveth thee.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Mark 2:27
And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:
- Genesis 2:2
And on the seventh day God finished his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
- Genesis 1:28
And God blessed them: and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the heavens, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
- Psalms 95:4
In his hand are the deep places of the earth; The heights of the mountains are his also.
- Genesis 1:1
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
- Exodus 31:17
It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days Jehovah made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Exodus 20
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Exodus 20.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Adultery
Adultery, a grave sin against God and marriage, represents a betrayal of trust and a violation of sacred vows.
Topic
Bible Verses About Covetousness
Covetousness is an excessive desire for possessions or power, often leading to other sins and hindering one's relationship with God.
Topic
Bible Verses About Greed
The Bible consistently warns against greed, depicting it as a destructive force that hinders one’s relationship with God and others.
What the Bible says about…