Exodus 31:13

“Tell the Israelites, ‘Surely you must keep My Sabbaths, for this will be a sign between Me and you for the generations to come, so that you may know that I am the LORD who sanctifies you.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The LORD speaks to Moses, instructing him to deliver a command to the Israelites regarding Sabbath observance. This directive occurs immediately after the laws for the tabernacle construction and before the warning about Sabbath profanation.

The words — The Hebrew אַ֥ךְ ('akh) translates literally as "surely" or "only," emphasizing the absolute requirement to keep the Sabbaths. The verb דַּבֵּ֨ר (da.Ber) means "speak," framing the command as a direct divine instruction to be relayed.

The thread — This theme of the Sabbath as a sign of covenant relationship appears in Ezekiel 20:12 and Ezekiel 20:20, where keeping the Sabbath reveals God's identity to Israel. Leviticus 19:30 also links Sabbath observance with reverence for the sanctuary.

Why it lands — The text demands consistent Sabbath keeping as a tangible marker of the covenant between God and His people. It requires readers to recognize obedience to this command as the means by which God sets them apart.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

King James Version

Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you.

Cross-references

Ezekiel 20:12 I also gave them My Sabbaths as a sign between us, so that they would know that I am the LORD who sanctifies them.
Ezekiel 20:20 Keep My Sabbaths holy, that they may be a sign between us, so that you may know that I am the LORD your God.’
Leviticus 19:30 You must keep My Sabbaths and have reverence for My sanctuary. I am the LORD.
Exodus 20:8 Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
Exodus 31:17 It is a sign between Me and the Israelites forever; for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, but on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.’”
1 Thessalonians 5:23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your entire spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Leviticus 20:8 And you shall keep My statutes and practice them. I am the LORD who sanctifies you.
Leviticus 19:3 Each of you must respect his mother and father, and you must keep My Sabbaths. I am the LORD your God.
John 17:17 Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.
Leviticus 21:8 You are to regard him as holy, since he presents the food of your God. He shall be holy to you, because I the LORD am holy—I who set you apart.