King James Version

What Does Exodus 31:17 Mean?

Exodus 31:17 in the King James Version says “It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the ... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 31 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.

Exodus 31:17 · KJV


Context

15

Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. holy: Heb. holiness

16

Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant.

17

It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.

18

And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The Sabbath is a sign between God and Israel forever, reminding them that the LORD sanctifies them. Sabbath-keeping testified to creation (God rested on the seventh day) and sanctification (God sets apart His people). Sabbath rest prefigures the spiritual rest believers find in Christ—ceasing from self-effort, trusting His finished work (Hebrews 4:9-10). Violating the Sabbath incurred death, showing that rejecting God's rest is spiritual death.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Sabbath command's placement after tabernacle instructions (before construction began) emphasized that even sacred work must pause for sacred rest. God's people rest in His timing, not working constantly even for holy purposes.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Sabbath rest prefigure ceasing from self-effort and resting in Christ's finished work?
  2. What does the severity of Sabbath violation teach about rejecting God's rest?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
בֵּינִ֗י1 of 20
H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

וּבֵין֙2 of 20
H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

בְּנֵ֣י3 of 20

between me and the children

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל4 of 20

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

א֥וֹת5 of 20

It is a sign

H226

a signal (literally or figuratively), as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc

הִ֖וא6 of 20
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

לְעֹלָ֑ם7 of 20

for ever

H5769

properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

כִּי8 of 20
H3588

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

שֵׁ֣שֶׁת9 of 20

for in six

H8337

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

וּבַיּוֹם֙10 of 20

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

עָשָׂ֤ה11 of 20

made

H6213

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

יְהוָה֙12 of 20

the LORD

H3068

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

אֶת13 of 20
H853

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

הַשָּׁמַ֣יִם14 of 20

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

וְאֶת15 of 20
H853

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

הָאָ֔רֶץ16 of 20

and earth

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וּבַיּוֹם֙17 of 20

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

הַשְּׁבִיעִ֔י18 of 20

and on the seventh

H7637

seventh

שָׁבַ֖ת19 of 20

he rested

H7673

to repose, i.e., desist from exertion; used in many implied relations (causative, figurative or specific)

וַיִּנָּפַֽשׁ׃20 of 20

and was refreshed

H5314

to breathe; passively, to be breathed upon , i.e., (figuratively) refreshed (as if by a current of air)


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 31:17 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 31:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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