King James Version

What Does Exodus 20:11 Mean?

Exodus 20:11 in the King James Version says “For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore ... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

Exodus 20:11 · KJV


Context

9

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

10

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, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:

11

For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

12

Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

13

Thou shalt not kill.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

The Sabbath's foundation is Creation—God's pattern becomes humanity's rhythm. 'Made' (עָשָׂה, asah) recalls Genesis 1's 'created' (bara). 'Heaven and earth, sea, all' (שָׁמַיִם וְאֶת־הָאָרֶץ אֶת־הַיָּם, shamayim ve'et-ha'aretz et-hayam) comprehensively covers existence—all creation testifies to Creator. God 'rested' (וַיָּנַח, vayanach) not from exhaustion but completion—He ceased creative work because it was 'very good.' His rest invites ours. 'Blessed and hallowed' (בֵּרַךְ וַיְקַדֵּשׁ, berakh vayqaddesh) the Sabbath—God's blessing makes it beneficial; His hallowing makes it holy. Observing Sabbath aligns human rhythm with divine pattern, creation ordinance with covenant command.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Genesis 2:2-3 records God's primordial rest. The Sabbath command at Sinai takes creation pattern and makes it covenant requirement. Sabbath roots in Creation, not just Sinai, giving it universal significance.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does grounding the Sabbath in Creation (not just Sinai) give it universal rather than merely Jewish significance?
  2. What does God's rest teach about the purpose and nature of work—why do we work?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 26 words
כִּ֣י1 of 26
H3588

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

שֵֽׁשֶׁת2 of 26

For in six

H8337

six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth

י֥וֹם3 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

עָשָׂ֨ה4 of 26

made

H6213

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

יְהוָ֛ה5 of 26

the LORD

H3068

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

אֶת6 of 26
H853

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

הַשָּׁמַ֣יִם7 of 26

heaven

H8064

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

וְאֶת8 of 26
H853

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

הָאָ֗רֶץ9 of 26

and earth

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֶת10 of 26
H853

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

הַיָּם֙11 of 26

the sea

H3220

a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif

וְאֶת12 of 26
H853

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

כָּל13 of 26
H3605

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

אֲשֶׁר14 of 26
H834

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

בָּ֔ם15 of 26
H0
וַיָּ֖נַח16 of 26

and all that in them is and rested

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

י֥וֹם17 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

הַשְּׁבִיעִ֑י18 of 26

the seventh

H7637

seventh

עַל19 of 26
H5921

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

כֵּ֗ן20 of 26
H3651

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

בֵּרַ֧ךְ21 of 26

blessed

H1288

to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as

יְהוָ֛ה22 of 26

the LORD

H3068

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

אֶת23 of 26
H853

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

י֥וֹם24 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

הַשַּׁבָּ֖ת25 of 26

the sabbath

H7676

intermission, i.e (specifically) the sabbath

וַֽיְקַדְּשֵֽׁהוּ׃26 of 26

and hallowed

H6942

to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)


Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

Exodus 20:11 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 Exodus 20:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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