The Law of Moses

Explore the Ten Commandments

Fourth Word: Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

Exodus 20:8-11 (CJB)

“Remember the day, Shabbat, to set it apart for God.
You have six days to labor and do all your work,
but the seventh day is a Shabbat for Adonai your God. On it, you are not to do any kind of work — not you, your son or your daughter, not your male or female slave, not your livestock, and not the foreigner staying with you inside the gates to your property.
For in six days, Adonai made heaven and earth, the sea and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. This is why Adonai blessed the day, Shabbat, and separated it for himself.”

Cultural Context

In the ancient Near Eastern world, the idea of taking a full day of rest each week was completely countercultural. Most societies—such as Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Canaan—did not have anything like a weekly day off. Life revolved around constant labor, especially for the lower classes and slaves. In contrast, the fourth commandment introduced a radical principle: the Sabbath (Shabbat) as a holy day of rest, grounded in the rhythm of creation itself, when God rested on the seventh day. For the recently freed Hebrew slaves, this was not just a break from work—it was a sign of freedom, dignity, and divine care. Unlike the gods of Egypt, who demanded relentless service, Adonai gave His people rest and called them to imitate His own pattern. This command also extended the gift of rest to everyone in the household, including servants, foreigners, and even animals—reflecting a culture of compassion, justice, and shared humanity. The Sabbath was not only a religious observance; it was a cultural declaration that the people of Israel belonged to a God who valued life, balance, and sacred time.

Christian Understanding

A common misconception about the fourth commandment is that the Sabbath is simply about not working or that it's an outdated religious rule meant only for Jews. In reality, the Sabbath commandment is about much more than rest—it’s about relationship, identity, and sacred rhythm. Some believe that keeping the Sabbath is legalistic or optional, but the command is rooted in creation, not culture; God Himself rested on the seventh day and blessed it, setting a divine pattern for all humanity. Others assume the Sabbath is only for spiritual leaders or the devout, but the command clearly extends to everyone—men, women, servants, foreigners, and even animals—highlighting God's concern for justice and equality. The Sabbath isn’t just a day off; it’s a weekly reminder of freedom, especially for the Israelites who had just come out of slavery. Clarity comes when we see the Sabbath not as a burden, but as a gift—an invitation to step out of endless striving and into holy rest, recognizing that our value comes not from productivity, but from belonging to God.