Exodus 20:8

THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT, Exodus 20:8-11.

8. Remember the sabbath day The word remember here cannot properly be pressed to mean the recalling it to mind, as if something old, and, for that reason, liable to be forgotten . It cannot be fairly adduced as a proof that the Sabbath was observed by the patriarchs . It means rather: Be ever mindful to observe the day . In the parallel in Deuteronomy (Exodus 20:12) we find the word keep employed instead of remember . So in Exodus 13:3, Moses says to the people: “Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt.” Nevertheless, the word may well have suggested that the Sabbath was an ancient institution and worthy to be remembered, and this is specifically brought forward in Exodus 20:11. See also note on Exodus 16:23. As the word sabbath means rest, so the main idea associated with it in the Scriptures is that of cessation from ordinary labour. See further on Exodus 20:10.

Keep it holy That is, treat it as sacred, hallow it. This is the positive side of the commandment, whereas the negative comes out more clearly in Exodus 20:10. The Israelites were wont to sanctify the Sabbath day by offering double offerings, (Numbers 28:9-10,) and by renewal of the twelve cakes of show-bread in the tabernacle . Leviticus 24:5-9. It would appear from 2 Kings 4:23, that at a later time the people were accustomed to resort to the prophets on the Sabbath to obtain instruction.

The adaptation of such a day of rest and devotion to cultivate the spiritual nature is evident.