King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 5:15 Mean?

Deuteronomy 5:15 in the King James Version says “And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the LORD thy God brought thee out thence through a ... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Deuteronomy 5:15 · KJV


Context

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.

17

Thou shalt not kill.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The redemptive grounding 'remember that thou wast a servant in Egypt, and that the LORD thy God brought thee out' connects Sabbath rest to exodus deliverance. Israel, once enslaved without rest, must grant rest to others. The phrase 'therefore the LORD thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath' reveals that experiencing God's redemptive grace produces compassionate obedience. This illustrates gospel ethics: believers, redeemed from sin's bondage, extend mercy to others. Sabbath becomes both memorial of redemption and anticipation of eternal rest in Christ.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Egypt enslaved Israel approximately 400 years (Genesis 15:13) before God's deliverance through Moses (circa 1446 BC). Hebrew slaves labored continuously making bricks and mortar without rest (Exodus 5:6-19). God's deliverance through ten plagues, Passover, and Red Sea crossing freed Israel from this bondage. The Sabbath command constantly reminded Israel of their redemption, motivating compassion toward servants and strangers experiencing parallel bondage.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does remembering redemption from bondage motivate compassionate treatment of others, particularly the vulnerable?
  2. In what ways should Christians' experience of redemption from sin's slavery through Christ shape how we treat and rest with those in our care?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וְזָֽכַרְתָּ֞֗1 of 23

And remember

H2142

properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male

כִּ֣י2 of 23
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

עֶ֤֥בֶד3 of 23

that thou wast a servant

H5650

a servant

הָיִ֣֙יתָ֙׀4 of 23
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

בְּאֶ֣רֶץ5 of 23

in the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִצְרַ֔֗יִם6 of 23

of Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

וַיֹּצִ֨אֲךָ֜֩7 of 23

brought

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

יְהוָ֣ה8 of 23

and that the LORD

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ9 of 23

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

מִשָּׁ֔ם֙10 of 23
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

בְּיָ֤֥ד11 of 23

hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

חֲזָקָ֖ה֙12 of 23

thee out thence through a mighty

H2389

strong (usu. in a bad sense, hard, bold, violent)

וּבִזְרֹ֣עַ13 of 23

arm

H2220

the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force

נְטוּיָ֑֔ה14 of 23

and by a stretched out

H5186

to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)

עַל15 of 23
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כֵּ֗ן16 of 23
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

צִוְּךָ֙17 of 23

commanded

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

יְהוָ֣ה18 of 23

and that the LORD

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ19 of 23

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

לַֽעֲשׂ֖וֹת20 of 23

thee to keep

H6213

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

אֶת21 of 23
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

י֥וֹם22 of 23

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

הַשַּׁבָּֽת׃23 of 23

the sabbath

H7676

intermission, i.e (specifically) the sabbath


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 5:15 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 5:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study