SABBATH

The term "sabbath" is derived from the Hebrew shabath, to "cease." The use of this word for the "seventh day" reflects the Genesis account of creation, when, after six days of creative activity, Jehovah "ceased" his labor (cf. Ex. 20:8-11). There is no astronomical phenomenon to explain a seven-day week, as there is for the month or the year. Only the creation record provides an historical rationale for the week. Some facts regarding the term "sabbath" are as follows. (a) "Sabbath" is a generic word; it may refer to the seventh day (Ex. 20:8ff), to certain other sacred celebrations, e.g., the day of Atonement (Lev. 16:31; 23:32), or to a year during which the land was to be allowed its rest (Lev. 25:2ff; cf. 2 Chron. 36:21). (b) The seventh-day sabbath was not a moral regulation for the whole of humanity from the commencement of the creation. Rather, it was given as a "sign" between Jehovah and Israel (Dt. 5:1ff; Ezek. 20:12), at Sinai (Neh. 9:13-14) -- though there was a preliminary trial sabbath just prior to that event (Ex. 16:4ff). Genesis 2:3, written by Moses many centuries after the creation week, merely states the purpose of the sabbath's sanctification, not the time of that event. (c) The purpose of the sabbath was to commemorate the creation activity, provide rest for man and beast, and to pre-figure the ultimate "rest" of heaven (Ex. 20:8ff; Heb. 4:9; Rev. 14:13). (d) The law of Moses -- with its various ordinances (including the sabbath) -- was abolished by Christ (Eph. 2:14ff; Col. 2:14), so that under the Christian age, one is not to be "judged" [condemned] for failing to observe the sabbath (Col. 2:16). (e) Sunday is a day of worship for Christians (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:2), but it is not to be designated as the "Christian sabbath."

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Adapted from the book "Bible Words and Theological Terms Made Easy" by Wayne Jackson