The Meaning of Exodus 31:16 Explained

Exodus 31:16

KJV: Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant.

YLT: and the sons of Israel have observed the sabbath; to keep the sabbath to their generations is a covenant age-during,

Darby: And the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations it is an everlasting covenant.

ASV: Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Wherefore the children  of Israel  shall keep  the sabbath,  to observe  the sabbath  throughout their generations,  [for] a perpetual  covenant. 

What does Exodus 31:16 Mean?

Context Summary

Exodus 31:1-18 - Wise Workmen For The Tabernacle
Whenever there is special work to be done God will find and endow the men who are to do it. "I have called,"¦ I have filled,"¦ I have appointed," etc. There is a niche for each of us in God's service, to each a special work is given; and for each those talents are imparted, which are requisite and adequate. "Created unto good works," says the Apostle, "which God has before prepared that we should walk in them," Ephesians 2:10. The talent for the sphere and the sphere for the talent-God's call binding the two with golden clasps.
But amid all our work for God there should be Sabbath-keeping-i.e., the inner rest of the soul. We are by nature full of our own works and schemes and plans; but when the spirit of rest enters us, all this is altered. Then we are not agents, but instruments; we do not work for God, but God works through us; we enter into His rest, and cease from ourselves. See Hebrews 4:10. [source]

Chapter Summary: Exodus 31

1  Bezaleel and Aholiah are appointed for the work of the tabernacle
12  The observation of the Sabbath is again commanded
18  Moses receives the two tablets

What do the individual words in Exodus 31:16 mean?

Therefore shall keep the sons of Israel - the Sabbath to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations [as] a covenant perpetual
וְשָׁמְר֥וּ בְנֵֽי־ יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל אֶת־ הַשַּׁבָּ֑ת לַעֲשׂ֧וֹת הַשַּׁבָּ֛ת לְדֹרֹתָ֖ם בְּרִ֥ית עוֹלָֽם

וְשָׁמְר֥וּ  Therefore  shall  keep 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive perfect, third person common plural
Root: שָׁמַר  
Sense: to keep, guard, observe, give heed.
בְנֵֽי־  the  sons 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: בֵּן 
Sense: son, grandson, child, member of a group.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל  of  Israel 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יִשְׂרָאֵל  
Sense: the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel.
אֶת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
הַשַּׁבָּ֑ת  the  Sabbath 
Parse: Article, Noun, common singular
Root: שַׁבָּת  
Sense: Sabbath.
לַעֲשׂ֧וֹת  to  observe 
Parse: Preposition-l, Verb, Qal, Infinitive construct
Root: עָשָׂה 
Sense: to do, fashion, accomplish, make.
הַשַּׁבָּ֛ת  the  Sabbath 
Parse: Article, Noun, common singular
Root: שַׁבָּת  
Sense: Sabbath.
לְדֹרֹתָ֖ם  throughout  their  generations 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, masculine plural construct, third person masculine plural
Root: דֹּור 
Sense: period, generation, habitation, dwelling.
בְּרִ֥ית  [as]  a  covenant 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular construct
Root: בְּרִית  
Sense: covenant, alliance, pledge.
עוֹלָֽם  perpetual 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: עֹולָם  
Sense: long duration, antiquity, futurity, for ever, ever, everlasting, evermore, perpetual, old, ancient, world.

What are the major concepts related to Exodus 31:16?

Loading Information...