Sabbath
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Sabbath in the Bible?
The Sabbath designates the seventh day of the week, established as a time to cease from secular labor and maintain holiness, rooted in the narrative of divine rest following creation. The earliest explicit textual reference appears in Exodus 16:21-30, describing the provision of manna in the wilderness as a precursor to the formal observance of the seventh day.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the Sabbath clarifies the biblical emphasis on rhythm, rest, and communal worship, revealing how ancient Israelite society balanced economic activity with spiritual devotion and social equity.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Sabbath in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Sabbath clarify?
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Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.