Topical Encyclopedia The Sabbath Day is a divinely instituted day of rest and worship, observed on the seventh day of the week, as commanded in the Bible. Its origins and significance are deeply rooted in the creation narrative and the covenantal relationship between God and His people.Biblical Foundation The concept of the Sabbath is first introduced in the creation account in Genesis. After six days of creation, God rested on the seventh day, setting a precedent for the Sabbath: "And by the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on that day He rested from all His work. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because on that day He rested from all the work of creation that He had accomplished" (Genesis 2:2-3). The Sabbath commandment is further articulated in the Ten Commandments given to Moses on Mount Sinai. It is the fourth commandment and serves as a reminder of God's creation and deliverance: "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your livestock, nor the foreigner within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but on the seventh day He rested. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy" (Exodus 20:8-11). Purpose and Observance The Sabbath serves multiple purposes: it is a day of rest, a sign of the covenant between God and Israel, and a time for spiritual reflection and worship. The Sabbath is a gift from God, intended to provide physical rest and spiritual renewal. It is a day set apart for ceasing from labor and focusing on God, family, and community. In the Old Testament, strict observance of the Sabbath was commanded, with prohibitions against work and specific instructions for rest and worship. Violations of the Sabbath were taken seriously, as seen in the account of a man gathering sticks on the Sabbath, who was put to death for his transgression (Numbers 15:32-36). Sabbath in the New Testament In the New Testament, Jesus' teachings and actions regarding the Sabbath provide further insight into its purpose. Jesus emphasized the spirit of the law over the letter, teaching that "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath" (Mark 2:27). He performed acts of healing on the Sabbath, demonstrating that doing good and meeting human needs align with the Sabbath's intent (Matthew 12:10-12). The early Christian church grappled with the observance of the Sabbath, especially as Gentile believers joined the faith. The Apostle Paul addressed the issue of Sabbath observance in his letters, emphasizing freedom in Christ and cautioning against legalism: "Therefore let no one judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a feast, a New Moon, or a Sabbath" (Colossians 2:16). Theological Significance The Sabbath holds theological significance as a symbol of rest and redemption. It points to the ultimate rest found in Christ, who offers spiritual rest to all who come to Him (Matthew 11:28-30). The Sabbath also foreshadows the eternal rest promised to believers in the eschatological hope of the new creation (Hebrews 4:9-11). Contemporary Observance Today, the observance of the Sabbath varies among Christian denominations. Some continue to observe Saturday as the Sabbath, while others, influenced by the resurrection of Jesus on the first day of the week, gather for worship on Sunday, often referred to as the Lord's Day. Regardless of the day, the principles of rest, worship, and reflection remain central to the observance of the Sabbath in the Christian tradition. Topical Bible Verses Exodus 20:8-11Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Topicalbible.org Mark 2:27 Hebrews 4:1-16 Luke 23:56 Luke 4:16 Greek 4521. sabbaton -- the Sabbath, ie the seventh day (of the week) ... 1), week (9). Sabbath day. Of Hebrew origin (shabbath); the Sabbath (ie Shabbath), or day of weekly repose from secular avocations ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4521.htm - 7k 4315. prosabbaton -- the day before the Sabbath 3904. paraskeue -- preparation, the day of preparation (for a ... 1207 -- second, after the first. Library A Morning Prayer for the Sabbath-Day. Sabbath Day. The Law of the Sabbath-Day Explained. The Eight Days' Procession ... An Universal Sabbath Day Anticipated. Evening Song for the Sabbath-Day. Jesus Heals on the Sabbath Day and Defends his Act. Thou Shalt Sanctify the Holy Day. [Remember the Sabbath Day to ... Of the Man with the Withered Hand, who was Restored on the Sabbath ... Of the Observance of the Sabbath. The Reason Why a vigil is Appointed as the Sabbath Day Dawns, and ... Resources Why does Exodus 35:2 require the death penalty for working on the Sabbath? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy? | GotQuestions.org Is Sunday the Christian Sabbath? | GotQuestions.org Sabbath: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Sabbath Day's Journey: About Two-Thousand Paces Sabbath: Observance of by John Sabbath: Observance of by Moses Sabbath: Observance of by Nehemiah Sabbath: Observance of by Paul Sabbath: Observance of by the Disciples Sabbath: Observance of by the Women Preparing to Embalm the Corpse of Jesus Sabbath: Religious Usages on The Sabbath: Signifying a Period of Rest Sabbath: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Sabbath: Violations of Gathering Manna Sabbath: Violations of Gathering Sticks Sabbath: Violations of Men of Tyre Sabbath: Violations of The Inhabitants of Jerusalem The Sabbath: A Sign of the Covenant The Sabbath: A Type of the Heavenly Rest The Sabbath: Blessedness of Honoring The Sabbath: Blessedness of Keeping The Sabbath: Called: God's Holy Day The Sabbath: Called: The Lord's Day The Sabbath: Called: The Rest of the Holy Sabbath The Sabbath: Called: The Sabbath of Rest The Sabbath: Called: The Sabbath of the Lord The Sabbath: Christ is Lord of The Sabbath: Christ was Accustomed to Observe The Sabbath: Christ: Taught On The Sabbath: Denunciations Against Those Who Profane The Sabbath: Dishonouring of: Gatherers of Manna The Sabbath: Dishonouring of: Gatherers of Sticks The Sabbath: Dishonouring of: Inhabitants of Jerusalem The Sabbath: Dishonouring of: Men of Tyre The Sabbath: Divine Worship to be Celebrated On The Sabbath: First Day of the Week Kept As, by the Church The Sabbath: God: Commanded to be Sanctified The Sabbath: God: Commanded, to be Kept The Sabbath: God: Shows Considerate Kindness in Appointing The Sabbath: God: Shows Favour in Appointing The Sabbath: God: Will Have his Goodness Commemorated in the Observance of The Sabbath: Grounds of Its Institution The Sabbath: Honoring of Disciples The Sabbath: Honoring of Moses The Sabbath: Honoring of Nehemiah The Sabbath: Honoring of The Women The Sabbath: Instituted by God The Sabbath: Necessary Wants May be Supplied The Sabbath: No Burdens to be Carried On The Sabbath: No Manner of Work to be Done On The Sabbath: No Purchases to be Made On The Sabbath: Observance of, to be Perpetual The Sabbath: Punishment of Those Who Profane The Sabbath: Saints: Honor God in Observing The Sabbath: Saints: Rejoice In The Sabbath: Saints: Testify Against Those Who Desecrate The Sabbath: Servants and Cattle should be Allowed to Rest Upon The Sabbath: The Scriptures to be Read On The Sabbath: The Seventh Day Observed As The Sabbath: The Wicked: Bear Burdens On The Sabbath: The Wicked: do Their own Pleasure On The Sabbath: The Wicked: Hide Their Eyes From The Sabbath: The Wicked: May be Judicially Deprived of The Sabbath: The Wicked: Mock At The Sabbath: The Wicked: Pollute The Sabbath: The Wicked: Profane The Sabbath: The Wicked: Sometimes Pretend to Zealous For The Sabbath: The Wicked: Traffic On The Sabbath: The Wicked: Wearied By The Sabbath: The Wicked: Work On The Sabbath: The Word of God to be Preached On The Sabbath: Works Connected With Religious Service Lawful On The Sabbath: Works of Mercy Lawful On Related Terms Sabbath-keeping (1 Occurrence) Sabbath-produce (1 Occurrence) Woman-servant (12 Occurrences) |
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