Topical Encyclopedia A "Sabbath day's journey" is a term used in biblical times to describe the maximum distance a Jewish person was permitted to travel on the Sabbath without violating the commandment to rest. This concept is rooted in the Jewish understanding of the Sabbath as a day of rest and worship, as commanded in the Ten Commandments: "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy" (Exodus 20:8). The specific distance of a Sabbath day's journey is traditionally understood to be about 2,000 cubits, which is approximately 3,000 feet or 0.6 miles.The origin of this measure is not explicitly detailed in the Torah but is derived from rabbinic interpretation and tradition. The basis for this limitation is found in passages such as Exodus 16:29, where the Israelites are instructed not to leave their place on the Sabbath: "Understand that the LORD has given you the Sabbath; that is why on the sixth day He will give you bread for two days. Everyone is to stay where he is on the seventh day; no one is to leave his place" . This was interpreted by later Jewish tradition to mean that travel should be limited to a short distance. The specific distance of 2,000 cubits is thought to be derived from the arrangement of the Israelite camp in the wilderness, where the farthest tents were approximately 2,000 cubits from the Tabernacle. This distance allowed all Israelites to come to the Tabernacle for worship without breaking the Sabbath rest. The Mishnah, a key Jewish text, codifies this distance, and it became a standard measure in Jewish law. In the New Testament, the term "Sabbath day's journey" is mentioned in Acts 1:12: "Then they returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, which is near the city, a Sabbath day’s journey away" . This reference indicates that the concept was well understood and practiced during the time of Jesus and the early church. The restriction of a Sabbath day's journey reflects the broader principle of Sabbath observance, emphasizing rest, reflection, and worship. It underscores the importance of setting aside time to focus on spiritual matters and to refrain from the regular activities of daily life. The measure of a Sabbath day's journey serves as a tangible reminder of the need to honor the Sabbath as a day dedicated to the Lord. In contemporary times, the concept of a Sabbath day's journey is not typically observed in the same way by Christians, as the New Testament emphasizes the spirit of the law rather than the letter. However, the principle of setting aside time for rest and worship remains a significant aspect of Christian practice, reflecting the enduring value of the Sabbath commandment. Nave's Topical Index Acts 1:12Then returned they to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey. Nave's Topical Index Library The Gentle Boy Resources What does the Bible say about the role of evangelism/outreach pastor? | GotQuestions.orgDoes God exist? | GotQuestions.org What did Jesus mean when He said to not cast your pearls before swine (Matthew 7:6)? | GotQuestions.org Measure: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Measure: A Bath, About Eight Gallons and a Half Measure: A Bushel, About a Peck Measure: A Cab, or Kab, About Two Quarts Measure: A Cor, Equal to One Homer or Ten Ephahs, Equal to About Eleven and One-Ninth Bushels Measure: A Firkin, Nearly Nine Gallons Measure: A Half-Homer, About Five and a Half Bushels Measure: A Hin, About a Gallon and a Half Measure: A Homer, About Eleven Bushels, Equal to a Cor or Ten Ephahs Measure: A Log, About a Pint, One-Twelfth of a Hin Measure: A Mile, Probably Nine-Tenths of an English Mile Measure: A Reed, Probably Six Cubits Measure: A Sabbath Day's Journey, Two Thousand Paces Measure: A Seah, About a Peck and a Half Measure: A Tenth Deal, About a Gallon, Equal to One-Tenth of an Ephah Measure: An Omer, About One Bushel Related Terms |
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