Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version “’There are six days when you may work, but the seventh day is a day of sabbath rest, a day of sacred assembly. You are not to do any work; wherever you live, it is a sabbath to the LORD. New Living Translation “You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of complete rest, an official day for holy assembly. It is the LORD’s Sabbath day, and it must be observed wherever you live. English Standard Version “Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation. You shall do no work. It is a Sabbath to the LORD in all your dwelling places. Berean Standard Bible For six days work may be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of complete rest, a day of sacred assembly. You must not do any work; wherever you live, it is a Sabbath to the LORD. Berean Literal Bible Six days work shall be done, and the seventh day is a Sabbath of complete rest, a holy convocation. You⁺ shall not do any work; it is the Sabbath of YHWH in all your⁺ dwellings. King James Bible Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings. New King James Version ‘Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation. You shall do no work on it; it is the Sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings. New American Standard Bible ‘For six days work may be done, but on the seventh day there is a Sabbath of complete rest, a holy convocation. You shall not do any work; it is a Sabbath to the LORD in all your dwellings. NASB 1995 ‘For six days work may be done, but on the seventh day there is a sabbath of complete rest, a holy convocation. You shall not do any work; it is a sabbath to the LORD in all your dwellings. NASB 1977 ‘For six days work may be done; but on the seventh day there is a sabbath of complete rest, a holy convocation. You shall not do any work; it is a sabbath to the LORD in all your dwellings. Legacy Standard Bible ‘For six days work may be done, but on the seventh day there is a sabbath of complete rest, a holy convocation. You shall not do any work; it is a sabbath to Yahweh in all your places of habitation. Amplified Bible ‘For six days work may be done, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of complete rest, a holy convocation (calling together). You shall not do any work [on that day]; it is the Sabbath of the LORD wherever you may be. Berean Annotated Bible For six days work may be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of complete rest, a day of sacred assembly. You⁺ must not do any work; wherever you⁺ live, it is a Sabbath to the LORD {YHWH}. Christian Standard Bible “Work may be done for six days, but on the seventh day there is to be a Sabbath of complete rest, a sacred assembly. You are not to do any work; it is a Sabbath to the LORD wherever you live. Holman Christian Standard Bible Work may be done for six days, but on the seventh day there must be a Sabbath of complete rest, a sacred assembly. You are not to do any work; it is a Sabbath to the LORD wherever you live.” American Standard Version Six days shall work be done: but on the seventh day is a sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation; ye shall do no manner of work: it is a sabbath unto Jehovah in all your dwellings. Contemporary English Version You have six days when you can do your work, but the seventh day of each week is holy because it belongs to me. No matter where you live, you must rest on the Sabbath and come together for worship. This law will never change. English Revised Version Six days shall work be done: but on the seventh day is a sabbath of solemn rest, an holy convocation; ye shall do no manner of work: it is a sabbath unto the LORD in all your dwellings. GOD'S WORD® Translation You may work for six days. But the seventh day is a day of worship, a day when you don't work, a holy assembly. Don't do any work. It is the LORD's day of worship wherever you live. Good News Translation You have six days in which to do your work, but remember that the seventh day, the Sabbath, is a day of rest. On that day do not work, but gather for worship. The Sabbath belongs to the LORD, no matter where you live. International Standard Version Six days you may work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of rest, a sacred assembly. You are not to do any work. It's a Sabbath to the LORD wherever you live. NET Bible "'Six days work may be done, but on the seventh day there must be a Sabbath of complete rest, a holy assembly. You must not do any work; it is a Sabbath to the LORD in all the places where you live. New Heart English Bible "'Six days shall work be done: but on the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation; you shall do no manner of work. It is a Sabbath to the LORD in all your dwellings. Webster's Bible Translation Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, a holy convocation: ye shall do no work in it: it is the sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleFor six days work may be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of complete rest, a day of sacred assembly. You must not do any work; wherever you live, it is a Sabbath to the LORD. World English Bible “‘Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation; you shall do no kind of work. It is a Sabbath to Yahweh in all your dwellings. Literal Translations Literal Standard Version[For] six days work is done, and in the seventh day [is] a Sabbath of rest, a holy convocation; you do no work; it [is] a Sabbath to YHWH in all your dwellings. Berean Literal Bible Six days work shall be done, and the seventh day is a Sabbath of complete rest, a holy convocation. You⁺ shall not do any work; it is the Sabbath of YHWH in all your⁺ dwellings. Young's Literal Translation six days is work done, and in the seventh day is a sabbath of rest, a holy convocation; ye do no work; it is a sabbath to Jehovah in all your dwellings. Smith's Literal Translation Six days shall work be done; the seventh day a Sabbath of rest, a holy calling: ye shall not do any work: it is a Sabbath to Jehovah in all your dwellings. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleSix days shall ye do work: the seventh day, because it is the rest of the sabbath, shall be called holy. You shall do no work on that day: it is the sabbath of the Lord in all your habitations. Catholic Public Domain Version For six days you shall do work; the seventh day, because it is the rest of the Sabbath, shall be called holy. You shall do no work on that day; it is the Sabbath of the Lord in all your dwelling places. New American Bible For six days work may be done; but the seventh day is a sabbath of complete rest, a declared holy day; you shall do no work. It is the LORD’s sabbath wherever you dwell. New Revised Standard Version Six days shall work be done; but the seventh day is a sabbath of complete rest, a holy convocation; you shall do no work: it is a sabbath to the LORD throughout your settlements. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleSix days you shall do work; but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, it shall be holy to the LORD; you shall do no work thereon; it is the sabbath to the LORD in all your dwellings. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Six days you shall do work and the seventh day is the Sabbath, and you shall be tranquil holiness to LORD JEHOVAH and you shall do no work; it is the Sabbath to LORD JEHOVAH in every house of your dwellings. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Six days shall work be done; but on the seventh day is a sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation; ye shall do no manner of work; it is a sabbath unto the LORD in all your dwellings. Brenton Septuagint Translation Six days shalt thou do works, but on the seventh day is the sabbath; a rest, a holy convocation to the Lord: thou shalt not do any work, it is a sabbath to the Lord in all your dwellings. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Feasts of the LORD…2“Speak to the Israelites and say to them, ‘These are My appointed feasts, the feasts of the LORD that you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies. 3For six days work may be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of complete rest, a day of sacred assembly. You must not do any work; wherever you live, it is a Sabbath to the LORD. Cross References For six days work may be done Exodus 20:9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, Exodus 23:12 For six days you are to do your work, but on the seventh day you must cease, so that your ox and your donkey may rest and the son of your maidservant may be refreshed, as well as the foreign resident. Exodus 34:21 Six days you shall labor, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even in the seasons of plowing and harvesting, you must rest. but the seventh day is a Sabbath of complete rest Exodus 35:2 For six days work may be done, but the seventh day shall be your holy day, a Sabbath of complete rest to the LORD. Whoever does any work on that day must be put to death. Exodus 31:15 For six days work may be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of complete rest, holy to the LORD. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day must surely be put to death. Exodus 16:23 He told them, “This is what the LORD has said: ‘Tomorrow is to be a day of complete rest, a holy Sabbath to the LORD. So bake what you want to bake, and boil what you want to boil. Then set aside whatever remains and keep it until morning.’” a day of sacred assembly Numbers 28:25 On the seventh day you shall hold a sacred assembly; you must not do any regular work. Exodus 12:16 On the first day you are to hold a sacred assembly, and another on the seventh day. You must not do any work on those days, except to prepare the meals—that is all you may do. Numbers 29:1 “On the first day of the seventh month, you are to hold a sacred assembly, and you must not do any regular work. This will be a day for you to sound the trumpets. You must not do any work Exodus 20:10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God, on which you must not do any work—neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant or livestock, nor the foreigner within your gates. Jeremiah 17:22 You must not carry a load out of your houses or do any work on the Sabbath day, but you must keep the Sabbath day holy, just as I commanded your forefathers. Exodus 31:14 Keep the Sabbath, for it is holy to you. Anyone who profanes it must surely be put to death. Whoever does any work on that day must be cut off from among his people. wherever you live Exodus 35:3 Do not light a fire in any of your dwellings on the Sabbath day.” Nehemiah 13:19 When the evening shadows began to fall on the gates of Jerusalem, just before the Sabbath, I ordered that the gates be shut and not opened until after the Sabbath. I posted some of my servants at the gates so that no load could enter on the Sabbath day. Ezekiel 46:1 “This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘The gate of the inner court that faces east must be kept shut during the six days of work, but on the Sabbath day and on the day of the New Moon it shall be opened. it is a Sabbath to the LORD Exodus 16:25 “Eat it today,” Moses said, “because today is a Sabbath to the LORD. Today you will not find anything in the field. Treasury of Scripture Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; you shall do no work therein: it is the sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings. Leviticus 19:3 Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father, and keep my sabbaths: I am the LORD your God. Exodus 16:23,29 And he said unto them, This is that which the LORD hath said, To morrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the LORD: bake that which ye will bake to day, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning… Exodus 20:8-11 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy… Jump to Previous Assembly Complete Convocation Dwellings Holy Live Manner Rest Sabbath Sacred Seventh Solemn Special Therein Time Wherever Work WorshipJump to Next Assembly Complete Convocation Dwellings Holy Live Manner Rest Sabbath Sacred Seventh Solemn Special Therein Time Wherever Work WorshipLeviticus 23 1. The feasts of the Lord3. the Sabbath 4. The Passover 9. The sheaf of firstfruits 15. The feast of Pentecost 22. Gleanings to be left for the poor 23. The feast of trumpets 26. The day of atonement 33. The feast of tabernacles For six days work may be done This phrase establishes the pattern of a six-day workweek, reflecting the creation narrative in Genesis 1, where God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh. This work-rest cycle is foundational to the rhythm of life for the Israelites and emphasizes the value of labor while also setting boundaries for it. The six days of work symbolize human participation in God's creative order, highlighting the dignity and purpose of work. but the seventh day is a Sabbath of complete rest a day of sacred assembly You must not do any work wherever you live it is a Sabbath to the LORD Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe prophet and leader of the Israelites who received the laws from God, including the instructions for the Sabbath. 2. Israelites The chosen people of God to whom the laws, including the Sabbath, were given. 3. Sabbath A day of rest and sacred assembly, instituted by God as a sign of the covenant with His people. 4. The LORD (Yahweh) The covenant-keeping God who commands the observance of the Sabbath as a day dedicated to Him. 5. Sacred Assembly A gathering for worship and rest, emphasizing community and devotion to God. Teaching Points The Principle of RestThe Sabbath teaches us the importance of rest in our lives. In a world that glorifies busyness, God calls us to pause and rejuvenate. Sacred Time with God The Sabbath is not just about physical rest but also about spiritual renewal. It is a time to focus on God, worship, and community. Obedience to God's Command Observing the Sabbath is an act of obedience and trust in God's provision, acknowledging that He is in control. Community and Worship The sacred assembly aspect of the Sabbath emphasizes the importance of gathering with fellow believers for worship and encouragement. A Sign of Covenant The Sabbath serves as a reminder of God's covenant with His people, a sign of His faithfulness and our identity in Him. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Leviticus 23:3?2. How does Leviticus 23:3 emphasize the importance of the Sabbath for believers today? 3. What does "a Sabbath of complete rest" teach about God's design for rest? 4. How can we incorporate "a sacred assembly" into our weekly Sabbath observance? 5. How does the Sabbath in Leviticus 23:3 connect to Jesus' teachings on rest? 6. What practical steps can you take to honor the Sabbath in your life? 7. What is the significance of the Sabbath rest in Leviticus 23:3 for Christians today? 8. How does Leviticus 23:3 relate to the concept of work-life balance in modern society? 9. Why is the Sabbath commandment emphasized in Leviticus 23:3 among other biblical laws? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Leviticus 23? 11. In Leviticus 23:3, how could an entire population realistically stop all work every seventh day without compromising essential services or survival needs? 12. What defines a high Sabbath? 13. What are the Appointed Times (Moedim) in Judaism? 14. What is the definition of convocation? What Does Leviticus 23:3 Mean For six days work may be doneGod affirms the dignity of labor by assigning six full days for productive effort (Exodus 20:9 “Six days you shall labor and do all your work”). • Work itself is a divine gift; Adam was placed in the garden “to work it and keep it” (Genesis 2:15). • The pattern teaches rhythm—intense labor balanced by intentional rest. • Paul echoes this principle for believers: “If anyone is unwilling to work, he shall not eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10). but the seventh day is a Sabbath of complete rest The verse immediately contrasts labor with a divinely appointed pause. “On the seventh day God rested from all His work” (Genesis 2:2-3), making rest part of creation’s fabric. • “Complete rest” means cessation, not mere reduction, of ordinary labor (Exodus 31:15). • This rest is physical, mental, and spiritual, inviting trust in God’s provision (Exodus 16:29-30). • Jesus declares, “The Sabbath was made for man” (Mark 2:27), underscoring its goodness, not legalism. a day of sacred assembly Rest is tied to worship. The seventh day gathers God’s people before Him. • Corporate gathering prevents isolation; Hebrews 10:24-25 urges believers to meet together. • Old Testament Israelites assembled at the tabernacle; early Christians met on the first day to break bread (Acts 20:7), applying the same communal principle. • Worship refocuses hearts on God, elevating the day beyond personal leisure to shared devotion. You must not do any work The command repeats for emphasis, guarding the sanctity of the day. • Even necessary tasks were limited (Numbers 15:32-36 shows the seriousness of violation). • Acts of mercy, however, were permitted; Jesus healed on the Sabbath (Matthew 12:12 “Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath”). • The directive cultivates reliance on God rather than ceaseless self-effort. wherever you live, it is a Sabbath to the LORD The Sabbath is not bound to geography or circumstance; it applies “wherever you live.” • Israelites in exile still honored the day (Nehemiah 13:17-18). • Believers today recognize the abiding moral principle—regular rest devoted “to the LORD” (Isaiah 58:13). • Colossians 2:16-17 reveals the Sabbath as a shadow fulfilled in Christ, yet the creational pattern of rest and worship remains a blessing to embrace. summary Leviticus 23:3 establishes a holy rhythm: six days for meaningful labor, then one day set apart for complete rest and corporate worship. The Sabbath belongs to God, benefits humanity, and witnesses to the world that our ultimate trust is in the Lord who provides, redeems, and invites His people into His rest. (3) Six days shall work be done.--Recurring every week, and being the most important as well as the oldest of all festivals, the sabbath introduces the holy seasons. Hence, during the second Temple it was declared that "the sabbath is in importance equal to the whole law; he who profanes the sabbath openly is like him who transgresses the whole law." The hour at which it began and ended was announced by three blasts of the trumpets.Ye shall do no work therein.--Better, ye shall do no manner of work, as the Authorised version renders this phrase in Leviticus 23:31 of this very chapter. (See Leviticus 16:29.) Whilst on all other festivals servile work only was forbidden (see Leviticus 23:7-8; Leviticus 23:21; Leviticus 23:25; Leviticus 23:35-36), and work connected with the preparation of the necessary food was permitted (see Exodus 12:16), the sabbath and the day of atonement were the only days on which the Israelites were prohibited to engage in any work whatsoever. (See Leviticus 23:28; Leviticus 23:30; Leviticus 16:29.) Though manual labour on the sabbath was punished with death by lapidation (see Exodus 31:14-15; Exodus 35:2; Numbers 15:35-36), and though the authorities during the second Temple multiplied and registered most minutely the things which constitute labour, yet these administrators of the Law have enacted that in cases of illness and of any danger work is permitted. They laid down the principle that "the sabbath is delivered into your hand, but not you into the hand of the sabbath." Similar is the declaration of Christ (Matthew 12:8, Mark 2:27-28). . . . Verse 3. - The seventh day is the sabbath of rest. This is a very strong expression, literally, the sabbath of sabbatism, which doubles the force of the single word. Ye shall do no work therein. The sabbath and the Day of Atonement were the only days in which no work might be done, whereas on the other festivals it was only no servile work that might be done. It is not to be observed solely where the tabernacle is pitched or the temple is built, but in every town and village of Canaan - in all your dwellings. In the sanctuary itself the peculiar characteristics of the sabbath were a holy convocation, the renewal of the shewbread, and the burnt offering of two lambs with their meat and drink offerings (Numbers 28:9, 10); elsewhere it was observed only by the holy convocation and rest from all labour. It commenced at sunset on Friday evening, and continued till sunset on Saturday evening. In later days the hour at which it began was announced by three blasts of the priests' trumpets, immediately after which a new course of priests entered on their ministry.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew For sixשֵׁ֣שֶׁת (šê·šeṯ) Number - masculine singular construct Strong's 8337: Six (a cardinal number) days יָמִים֮ (yā·mîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 3117: A day work מְלָאכָה֒ (mə·lā·ḵāh) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 4399: Deputyship, ministry, employment, work, property may be done, תֵּעָשֶׂ֣ה (tê·‘ā·śeh) Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 6213: To do, make but the seventh הַשְּׁבִיעִ֗י (haš·šə·ḇî·‘î) Article | Number - ordinal masculine singular Strong's 7637: Seventh (an ordinal number) day וּבַיּ֣וֹם (ū·ḇay·yō·wm) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3117: A day is to be a Sabbath שַׁבַּ֤ת (šab·baṯ) Noun - common singular construct Strong's 7676: Intermission, the Sabbath of complete rest, שַׁבָּתוֹן֙ (šab·bā·ṯō·wn) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7677: Sabbath observance, sabbatism a day of sacred קֹ֔דֶשׁ (qō·ḏeš) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 6944: A sacred place, thing, sanctity assembly. מִקְרָא־ (miq·rā-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 4744: Something called out, a public meeting, a rehearsal You are not לֹ֣א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no to do תַעֲשׂ֑וּ (ṯa·‘ă·śū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural Strong's 6213: To do, make any כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every work; מְלָאכָ֖ה (mə·lā·ḵāh) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 4399: Deputyship, ministry, employment, work, property wherever בְּכֹ֖ל (bə·ḵōl) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every you live, מֽוֹשְׁבֹתֵיכֶֽם׃ (mō·wō·šə·ḇō·ṯê·ḵem) Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural Strong's 4186: A seat, assembly, dwelling place, dwelling, dwellers it הִוא֙ (hî) Pronoun - third person feminine singular Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are is a Sabbath שַׁבָּ֥ת (šab·bāṯ) Noun - common singular Strong's 7676: Intermission, the Sabbath to the LORD. לַֽיהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh) Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel Links Leviticus 23:3 NIVLeviticus 23:3 NLT Leviticus 23:3 ESV Leviticus 23:3 NASB Leviticus 23:3 KJV Leviticus 23:3 BibleApps.com Leviticus 23:3 Biblia Paralela Leviticus 23:3 Chinese Bible Leviticus 23:3 French Bible Leviticus 23:3 Catholic Bible OT Law: Leviticus 23:3 Six days shall work be done: (Le Lv Lev.) |
    |