King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 5:14 Mean?

Deuteronomy 5:14 in the King James Version says “But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy dau... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; that thy manservant and thy maidservant may rest as well as thou.

Deuteronomy 5:14 · KJV


Context

12

Keep the sabbath day to sanctify it, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee.

13

Six days thou shalt labour, and do all thy work:

14

But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; that thy manservant and thy maidservant may rest as well as thou.

15

And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the LORD thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the LORD thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day.

16

Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The Sabbath command extends rest to 'thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger.' This comprehensive inclusivity demonstrates covenant compassion—even slaves, foreigners, and animals must rest. The prohibition of work extends to subordinates under one's authority, preventing exploitation. This verse reveals God's concern for the vulnerable and Creation-wide scope of Sabbath blessing. The Reformed tradition sees this as establishing principles of humane labor practices, concern for workers' wellbeing, and rest as universal human right, not class privilege.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern societies had no concept of universal rest—slaves and servants worked continuously. Israel's Sabbath was revolutionary in mandating rest for all: family, servants, foreigners residing among them, and even livestock. The Year of Jubilee extended this principle, freeing Hebrew slaves and returning ancestral lands (Leviticus 25). These laws demonstrated Israel's calling to model justice, mercy, and compassion flowing from covenant relationship with Yahweh.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the universal scope of Sabbath rest (including servants, foreigners, animals) demonstrate God's compassion for all creation?
  2. What principles can Christians draw from this command regarding humane labor practices, rest, and care for those under our authority or employ?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 26 words
וְי֙וֹם֙1 of 26

day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַשְּׁבִיעִ֜֔י2 of 26

But the seventh

H7637

seventh

שַׁבָּ֖֣ת׀3 of 26

is the sabbath

H7676

intermission, i.e (specifically) the sabbath

לַֽיהוָ֣ה4 of 26

of the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהֶ֑֗יךָ5 of 26

thy God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

לֹ֣א6 of 26
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תַֽעֲשֶׂ֣ה7 of 26

in it thou shalt not do

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

כָל8 of 26
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

מְלָאכָ֡ה9 of 26

any work

H4399

properly, deputyship, i.e., ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor)

אַתָּ֣ה10 of 26
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

וּבִנְךָֽ11 of 26

thou nor thy son

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

וּבִתֶּ֣ךָ12 of 26

nor thy daughter

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

עַבְדְּךָ֥13 of 26

nor thy manservant

H5650

a servant

וַאֲמָֽתְךָ֖14 of 26

and thy maidservant

H519

a maid-servant or female slave

וְשֽׁוֹרְךָ֙15 of 26

nor thine ox

H7794

a bullock (as a traveller)

וַחֲמֹֽרְךָ֜16 of 26

nor thine ass

H2543

a male ass (from its dun red)

וְכָל17 of 26
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

בְּהֶמְתֶּ֗ךָ18 of 26

nor any of thy cattle

H929

properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)

וְגֵֽרְךָ֙19 of 26

nor thy stranger

H1616

properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner

אֲשֶׁ֣ר20 of 26
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בִּשְׁעָרֶ֔יךָ21 of 26

that is within thy gates

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

לְמַ֗עַן22 of 26
H4616

properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that

יָנ֛וּחַ23 of 26

may rest

H5117

to rest, i.e., settle down; used in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, intransitive, transitive and causative (to dwell, stay, l

עַבְדְּךָ֥24 of 26

nor thy manservant

H5650

a servant

וַאֲמָֽתְךָ֖25 of 26

and thy maidservant

H519

a maid-servant or female slave

כָּמֽ֑וֹךָ׃26 of 26
H3644

as, thus, so


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Deuteronomy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Deuteronomy 5:14 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Deuteronomy 5:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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