Read & explore together
The Sabbath as a Sign
These verses repeat the Sabbath command in Exodus and show why it mattered. The passage links the Sabbath with holiness, covenant, creation, and a clear command for Israel’s daily life.
Understanding the passage
Understanding the setting
In Exodus 31, Yahweh tells Moses to speak to the children of Israel about keeping his Sabbaths. In Exodus 35, Moses gathers all the congregation and repeats Yahweh’s command, including the pattern of six workdays and one holy day of rest.
Exodus 31:12–17; Exodus 35:1–3Main takeaway
In this passage, the Sabbath is presented as a holy sign between Yahweh and the children of Israel, marked by rest and careful obedience.
Explore the instructions
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01A sign between Yahweh and IsraelYahweh tells Moses that Israel must keep his Sabbaths. The Sabbath is called a sign between Yahweh and his people through their generations.
Explanation
Yahweh tells Moses that Israel must keep his Sabbaths. The Sabbath is called a sign between Yahweh and his people through their generations. The stated purpose is that they may know Yahweh is the one who sanctifies them. A sign points to relationship and to Yahweh’s work in making his people holy.
02Holy, with serious consequencesThe Sabbath is described as holy to the people and as a Sabbath of solemn rest, holy to Yahweh.
Explanation
The Sabbath is described as holy to the people and as a Sabbath of solemn rest, holy to Yahweh. The passage also gives severe penalties for profaning it or doing work on that day. This shows the command was not treated as optional within Israel, but as part of covenant life before Yahweh.
03A perpetual covenant tied to creationThe children of Israel are to keep the Sabbath throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant.
Explanation
The children of Israel are to keep the Sabbath throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant. The passage again calls it a sign between Yahweh and the children of Israel forever. The reason given reaches back to creation: Yahweh made heaven and earth in six days, then rested on the seventh day.
04Moses repeats the command to all the congregationLater, Moses assembles all the congregation and repeats the words Yahweh commanded. He restates the six days for work and the seventh day as a holy day, a Sabbath of solemn rest.
Explanation
Later, Moses assembles all the congregation and repeats the words Yahweh commanded. He restates the six days for work and the seventh day as a holy day, a Sabbath of solemn rest. He also adds a specific command: no fire is to be kindled throughout their habitations on the Sabbath day.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01According to these verses, what does the Sabbath show about Yahweh and Israel?
Look for the repeated word "sign" and the purpose statement about knowing that Yahweh sanctifies his people.
02How does the passage describe the seventh day differently from the other six days?
Notice the contrast between work on six days and the seventh day as holy and a solemn rest.
03What extra detail appears when Moses repeats the command in Exodus 35?
Compare the repeated Sabbath rule with the added instruction about what must not be kindled in their habitations.
Read the Bible passages
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Exodus 31:12–17
12Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
13“Speak also to the children of Israel, saying, ‘Most certainly you shall keep my Sabbaths; for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am Yahweh who sanctifies you.
14You 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.
15Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, holy to Yahweh. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day shall surely be put to death.
16Therefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant.
17It is a sign between me and the children of Israel forever; for in six days Yahweh made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.’ ”
Exodus 35:1–3
1Moses assembled all the congregation of the children of Israel, and said to them, “These are the words which Yahweh has commanded, that you should do them.
2‘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.
3You shall kindle no fire throughout your habitations on the Sabbath day.’ ”