Exodus 31:15 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, holy to the Lord. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day shall be put to death.

NIV: For six days work is to be done, but the seventh day is a day of sabbath rest, holy to the Lord. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day is to be put to death.

NASB: For six days work may be done, but on the seventh day there is a Sabbath of complete rest, holy to the Lord; whoever does any work on the Sabbath day must be put to death.

CSB: Work may be done for six days, but on the seventh day there must be a Sabbath of complete rest, holy to the Lord. Anyone who does work on the Sabbath day must be put to death.

NLT: You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day must be a Sabbath day of complete rest, a holy day dedicated to the Lord. Anyone who works on the Sabbath must be put to death.

KJV: Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the Lord: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.

NKJV: Work shall be done for six days, but the seventh is the Sabbath of rest, holy to the Lord. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.

Exodus 31:12–17 emphasizes the importance of Israel honoring the Sabbath day. This will remind Israel of their relationship to the Lord. Sabbath-keeping is also an obvious sign to the rest of the world. Under the laws of ancient Israel, disrespecting the Sabbath could be punishable by death.

God assigns Bezalel and Oholiab as master craftsmen to build the tabernacle and its accessories. They will work with other skilled laborers to make each item precisely as the Lord has commanded (Exodus 25—29). God completes His initial declaration of the covenant with a reminder about the Sabbath. Insulting the Sabbath command is punishable by death. As promised (Exodus 24:12), Moses is given two stone tablets recording the covenant.

For several chapters (Exodus 25—29), God has explained how Israel is to prepare His sanctuary (Exodus 25:8–9). Objects like the ark (Exodus 25:10), menorah (Exodus 25:31), and altars (Exodus 27:1; 30:1) will require great skill to make. The men charged with this task are not only highly skilled but specifically appointed and equipped by God. Moses brings two tablets from Sinai; these record the covenant. When he returns to the camp, Moses finds Israel deep in idolatry (Exodus 32:1). In a rage, he will smash these original tablets (Exodus 32:19).

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.