What is Sabbath? It’s a topic as ancient as earth itself. Many have heard of it, some observe it, and yet most don’t understand it (at least not completely). Whether you’re new to the Bible or a seasoned student, God’s unchanging Word can show you the answers you’re looking for.
Let’s dive deep into Scripture to discover where Sabbath came from, why God placed it in His Ten Commandments, and how it’s significant today. That’s right: Sabbath is still relevant, and it can change your life in radical ways.
From the Creation story to the teachings of Jesus to early church traditions, we’ll uncover the thread of true rest woven throughout history: God’s Sabbath day.
So grab your Bible and a hot drink. Let’s rest in the awesome peace of God’s Word.
Sabbath in the Old Testament
The Creator Rests on Sabbath
We’ll start at the very beginning. Literally. In Genesis chapter two, verses two and three, we find the first mention of Sabbath—not as a random rule tacked onto the end of the week but an emphasized segment in the fabric of Creation:
“By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.” (emphasis added)
So after six days of creating the heavens, the earth, and everything in them, God does something profound: He rests not because He’s tired (God is all powerful) but to model completion, blessing, and holiness.
Sabbath was not introduced as a command for humans (not yet) but as a divine pattern. This seventh day, from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday (Leviticus 23:32), is set apart; it’s a rhythm baked into the universe, a weekly pause to reflect on God’s sovereignty.
The Bible echoes this “blessing” and “holiness” language when describing sanctuary dedication rituals (check out Exodus 40:9–10) suggesting that Sabbath is God’s temple in time: an invitation to enter God’s presence.
The Sabbath Commandment
One book over, we see this divine pattern formalized. In Exodus chapter 16, before God gives Moses the Ten Commandments, He provides manna in the wilderness. For six days, the Israelites gather it but on the seventh? No manna falls. The people are commanded to rest. Here, human observance of Sabbath is tied to trust in God’s provision.
Sabbath next appears in the heart of the Old Testament law: the Ten Commandments. In Exodus 20:8–11, God commands:
“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.”
This is the remember version of the fourth commandment, linking back to Creation. It’s a positive—a do, not don’t—command: “Remember how God rested on the seventh day? You must also keep it holy.” Holy meaning set apart for God. No work for family members, servants, animals, or visitors emphasizes equality: rest for ALL.
In Deuteronomy 5, the commandments are reiterated, and the emphasis of the fourth shifts slightly:
“Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the LORD your God commanded you. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work. . . . And remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God brought you out from there by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm; therefore the LORD your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.” (verses 12–15)
Here is the observe version, tied to redemption from slavery. Sabbath becomes a weekly reminder of freedom, a break from oppression. It’s not just about ceasing work; it’s about liberation and gratitude.
Throughout the Torah, the first five books of the Bible, the Sabbath commandment expands:
- Leviticus 23:3 calls it a “holy convocation,” a time for community worship.
- Numbers 28:9–10 adds the detail of special offerings being made on Sabbath, sacrifices that pointed forward to the Messiah.
- Exodus 31 elevates the day as a symbol of the perpetual covenant between God and Israel. Verse 17 reads: “It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever; for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.” Violating it? A serious offense. Verse 14 states that profaning Sabbath was punishable by death which underscores its sanctity.
God’s Prophets Emphasize Sabbath
The prophets reinforce Sabbath’s benefits and importance. Ezekiel 20:12–13 confirms Sabbath as a reminder of God’s power to make us holy. In Isaiah 58, God promises awesome blessings to those who honor His Sabbath, who “turn away . . . from doing [their] own pleasure on [His] Holy Day” (verse 13). The reward? “You shall delight yourself in the LORD . . . and ride on the high hills of the earth” (verse 14).
Jeremiah 17 and Nehemiah 13 warn against profaning Sabbath through commerce, linking national well-being to Sabbath observance—a correlation that has not (and will not) escape us in modern times.
In the Old Testament, Sabbath is beautifully multifaceted: an essential element of Creation, a covenant sign, social justice (rest for the marginalized), and a reminder of God’s goodness. It’s not burdensome but a delight: a foretaste of eternal peace.
Sabbath in the New Testament
As we cross into the New Testament, does Sabbath fade away? Not at all. Rather, Jesus and the apostles cast a new light on the divine purpose of this special day.
Jesus Reframes Sabbath
As a faithful Jew, Jesus regularly observed Sabbath. Luke 4:16 tells us: “So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read.” (emphasis added)
Yet, Jesus often clashed with religious leaders over how to keep Sabbath. In Mark 2:23–28, His disciples pluck grain on Sabbath, prompting criticism from the Pharisees. Jesus responds: “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.” At a time when Jewish leaders had shrouded Scripture with self-centered legalism, this statement was revolutionary: Sabbath is a gift for human flourishing, not a rigid rule. Jesus affirms its goodness while claiming authority over it as God in human form.
Matthew 12 tells the same story, adding that Jesus heals a man with a withered hand on Sabbath. In response to a question intended to portray Him as a lawbreaker, He cleverly responds: “What man is there among you who has one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift it out? Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep? Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” Jesus prioritizes mercy over legalism; in that same chapter, He quotes Hosea 6:6: “I desire mercy and not sacrifice.”
At the Pool of Bethesda, Jesus heals a sick man and commands him to “take up his bed”—all on Sabbath (John 5). Of course, this sparks a heated debate (murderous outrage, even) that grows hotter when Jesus declares, “My Father has been working until now, and I have been working” (verse 17). The divine work of restoration, of meeting people’s spiritual and tangible needs, does not violate Sabbath.
A common argument used to support Sunday as God’s new holy day is that Jesus resurrected on the first day of the week (Matthew 28:1). But the New Testament never commands a shift; Scripture does not offer evidence of God instating a “Christian Sabbath” on Sunday. Instead, the Word upholds the principle of rest embedded into Creation, God’s law, and the perfect life of Jesus.
The Early Church Claims the Sabbath Promise
Turning now to the writings of the apostles, Acts demonstrates this continuity. In chapter 13, Paul preaches in the synagogue on Sabbath, and Gentiles beg to hear more the next Sabbath, when “almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God” (verse 44). Acts 17:2 adds, “Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures.” The Jerusalem council described in Acts 15 does not mandate Sabbath for Gentiles, focusing on “necessary things”, but it does not abolish it either.
Even as the Gospel spreads to non-Jews, Sabbath remains a key gathering time and a relevant gift from God.
Hebrews 4:9–11 is pivotal:
“So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. Let us therefore strive to enter that rest . . . ” (English Standard Version)
Dig deeper into this chapter, and you’ll see how it explains that God’s promise of divine rest, symbolized in His Sabbath day, is still on the table. The Israelites’ failure to obey God did not forfeit His blessing. Sabbath rest is a gift we can enjoy today and for all time.
Sabbath points to an ultimate, eternal rest in Christ. It is both a weekly practice and a spiritual reality, inviting believers into ongoing communion with God.
The New Testament does not ditch Sabbath; it deepens it. Jesus declares Himself Lord of the Sabbath, fulfilling its purpose—rest, worship, goodness, and mercy—by living perfectly and dying as sin on Calvary, reconciling us to God and granting us a way to eternal life with Him: everlasting shalom (peace).
So What Is Sabbath?
The biblical foundations of Sabbath are clear and consistent. God’s Word tells us that Sabbath is:
- A day of rest baked into the universe at Creation
- The seventh day of the week (read more about this!)
- God’s tabernacle in time: an invitation to enter His presence
- Tied to trust in God’s provision and promise of redemption
- Protection for the marginalized
- Holy: set apart for God
- A sign of God’s perpetual covenant with His people
- A gift for humans, to help us live more abundantly
- A time for community gathering and worship
- A day to remember Jesus’ sacrifice
- A foretaste of eternal peace
How might Sabbath apply to you? Whether you observe Saturday, Sunday, or weave rest into your routine, God’s invitation is the same: cease depending on yourself, trust Him, choose Him, and delight in His presence.
If you do not observe the seventh-day Sabbath, try it out! Remember the day the Creator made sacred. You won’t regret it.
Related Articles:
Wish to deepen your understanding of God’s will for you? Check out our study guides, videos, podcasts, and more!
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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What Is Sabbath in the Bible? Finding Peace in Divine Rest
What is Sabbath? It’s a topic as ancient as earth itself. Many have heard of it, some observe it, and yet most don’t understand it (at least not completely). Whether you’re new to the Bible or a seasoned student, God’s unchanging Word can show you the answers you’re looking for.
Let’s dive deep into Scripture to discover where Sabbath came from, why God placed it in His Ten Commandments, and how it’s significant today. That’s right: Sabbath is still relevant, and it can change your life in radical ways.
From the Creation story to the teachings of Jesus to early church traditions, we’ll uncover the thread of true rest woven throughout history: God’s Sabbath day.
So grab your Bible and a hot drink. Let’s rest in the awesome peace of God’s Word.
Sabbath in the Old Testament
The Creator Rests on Sabbath
We’ll start at the very beginning. Literally. In Genesis chapter two, verses two and three, we find the first mention of Sabbath—not as a random rule tacked onto the end of the week but an emphasized segment in the fabric of Creation:
“By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.” (emphasis added)
So after six days of creating the heavens, the earth, and everything in them, God does something profound: He rests not because He’s tired (God is all powerful) but to model completion, blessing, and holiness.
Sabbath was not introduced as a command for humans (not yet) but as a divine pattern. This seventh day, from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday (Leviticus 23:32), is set apart; it’s a rhythm baked into the universe, a weekly pause to reflect on God’s sovereignty.
The Bible echoes this “blessing” and “holiness” language when describing sanctuary dedication rituals (check out Exodus 40:9–10) suggesting that Sabbath is God’s temple in time: an invitation to enter God’s presence.
The Sabbath Commandment
One book over, we see this divine pattern formalized. In Exodus chapter 16, before God gives Moses the Ten Commandments, He provides manna in the wilderness. For six days, the Israelites gather it but on the seventh? No manna falls. The people are commanded to rest. Here, human observance of Sabbath is tied to trust in God’s provision.
Sabbath next appears in the heart of the Old Testament law: the Ten Commandments. In Exodus 20:8–11, God commands:
“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.”
This is the remember version of the fourth commandment, linking back to Creation. It’s a positive—a do, not don’t—command: “Remember how God rested on the seventh day? You must also keep it holy.” Holy meaning set apart for God. No work for family members, servants, animals, or visitors emphasizes equality: rest for ALL.
In Deuteronomy 5, the commandments are reiterated, and the emphasis of the fourth shifts slightly:
Here is the observe version, tied to redemption from slavery. Sabbath becomes a weekly reminder of freedom, a break from oppression. It’s not just about ceasing work; it’s about liberation and gratitude.
Throughout the Torah, the first five books of the Bible, the Sabbath commandment expands:
God’s Prophets Emphasize Sabbath
The prophets reinforce Sabbath’s benefits and importance. Ezekiel 20:12–13 confirms Sabbath as a reminder of God’s power to make us holy. In Isaiah 58, God promises awesome blessings to those who honor His Sabbath, who “turn away . . . from doing [their] own pleasure on [His] Holy Day” (verse 13). The reward? “You shall delight yourself in the LORD . . . and ride on the high hills of the earth” (verse 14).
Jeremiah 17 and Nehemiah 13 warn against profaning Sabbath through commerce, linking national well-being to Sabbath observance—a correlation that has not (and will not) escape us in modern times.
In the Old Testament, Sabbath is beautifully multifaceted: an essential element of Creation, a covenant sign, social justice (rest for the marginalized), and a reminder of God’s goodness. It’s not burdensome but a delight: a foretaste of eternal peace.
Sabbath in the New Testament
As we cross into the New Testament, does Sabbath fade away? Not at all. Rather, Jesus and the apostles cast a new light on the divine purpose of this special day.
Jesus Reframes Sabbath
As a faithful Jew, Jesus regularly observed Sabbath. Luke 4:16 tells us: “So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read.” (emphasis added)
Yet, Jesus often clashed with religious leaders over how to keep Sabbath. In Mark 2:23–28, His disciples pluck grain on Sabbath, prompting criticism from the Pharisees. Jesus responds: “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.” At a time when Jewish leaders had shrouded Scripture with self-centered legalism, this statement was revolutionary: Sabbath is a gift for human flourishing, not a rigid rule. Jesus affirms its goodness while claiming authority over it as God in human form.
Matthew 12 tells the same story, adding that Jesus heals a man with a withered hand on Sabbath. In response to a question intended to portray Him as a lawbreaker, He cleverly responds: “What man is there among you who has one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift it out? Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep? Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” Jesus prioritizes mercy over legalism; in that same chapter, He quotes Hosea 6:6: “I desire mercy and not sacrifice.”
At the Pool of Bethesda, Jesus heals a sick man and commands him to “take up his bed”—all on Sabbath (John 5). Of course, this sparks a heated debate (murderous outrage, even) that grows hotter when Jesus declares, “My Father has been working until now, and I have been working” (verse 17). The divine work of restoration, of meeting people’s spiritual and tangible needs, does not violate Sabbath.
A common argument used to support Sunday as God’s new holy day is that Jesus resurrected on the first day of the week (Matthew 28:1). But the New Testament never commands a shift; Scripture does not offer evidence of God instating a “Christian Sabbath” on Sunday. Instead, the Word upholds the principle of rest embedded into Creation, God’s law, and the perfect life of Jesus.
The Early Church Claims the Sabbath Promise
Turning now to the writings of the apostles, Acts demonstrates this continuity. In chapter 13, Paul preaches in the synagogue on Sabbath, and Gentiles beg to hear more the next Sabbath, when “almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God” (verse 44). Acts 17:2 adds, “Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures.” The Jerusalem council described in Acts 15 does not mandate Sabbath for Gentiles, focusing on “necessary things”, but it does not abolish it either.
Even as the Gospel spreads to non-Jews, Sabbath remains a key gathering time and a relevant gift from God.
Hebrews 4:9–11 is pivotal:
Dig deeper into this chapter, and you’ll see how it explains that God’s promise of divine rest, symbolized in His Sabbath day, is still on the table. The Israelites’ failure to obey God did not forfeit His blessing. Sabbath rest is a gift we can enjoy today and for all time.
Sabbath points to an ultimate, eternal rest in Christ. It is both a weekly practice and a spiritual reality, inviting believers into ongoing communion with God.
The New Testament does not ditch Sabbath; it deepens it. Jesus declares Himself Lord of the Sabbath, fulfilling its purpose—rest, worship, goodness, and mercy—by living perfectly and dying as sin on Calvary, reconciling us to God and granting us a way to eternal life with Him: everlasting shalom (peace).
So What Is Sabbath?
The biblical foundations of Sabbath are clear and consistent. God’s Word tells us that Sabbath is:
How might Sabbath apply to you? Whether you observe Saturday, Sunday, or weave rest into your routine, God’s invitation is the same: cease depending on yourself, trust Him, choose Him, and delight in His presence.
If you do not observe the seventh-day Sabbath, try it out! Remember the day the Creator made sacred. You won’t regret it.
Related Articles:
Wish to deepen your understanding of God’s will for you? Check out our study guides, videos, podcasts, and more!
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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