Exodus 31:13

31:13 “Tell the Israelites, ‘Surely you must keep my Sabbaths, ¹  for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the Lord who sanctifies you. ² 

Ezekiel 20:12

20:12 I also gave them my Sabbaths ³  as a reminder of our relationship, ⁴  so that they would know that I, the Lord, sanctify them. ⁵ 

Ezekiel 20:20

20:20 Treat my Sabbaths as holy ⁶  and they will be a reminder of our relationship, ⁷  and then you will know that I am the Lord your God.”

[31:13]  ¹ sn The instruction for the Sabbath at this point seems rather abrupt, but it follows logically the extended plans of building the sanctuary. B. Jacob, following some of the earlier treatments, suggests that these are specific rules given for the duration of the building of the sanctuary (Exodus, 844). The Sabbath day is a day of complete cessation; no labor or work could be done. The point here is that God’s covenant people must faithfully keep the sign of the covenant as a living commemoration of the finished work of Yahweh, and as an active part in their sanctification. See also H. Routtenberg, “The Laws of Sabbath: Biblical Sources,” Dor le Dor 6 (1977): 41-43, 99-101, 153-55, 204-6; G. Robinson, “The Idea of Rest in the OT and the Search for the Basic Character of Sabbath,” ZAW 92 (1980): 32-42; M. Tsevat, “The Basic Meaning of the Biblical Sabbath, ZAW 84 (1972): 447-59; M. T. Willshaw, “A Joyous Sign,” ExpTim 89 (1978): 179-80.

[31:13]  ² tn Or “your sanctifier.”

[20:12]  ³ sn Ezekiel’s contemporary, Jeremiah, also stressed the importance of obedience to the Sabbath law (Jer 17).

[20:12]  ⁴ tn Heb “to become a sign between me and them.”

[20:12]  ⁵ tn Or “set them apart.” The last phrase of verse 12 appears to be a citation of Exod 31:13.

[20:20]  ⁶ tn Or “set apart my Sabbaths.”

[20:20]  ⁷ tn Heb “and they will become a sign between me and you.”