Hebrew
שַׁבָּת
shabbat
Sabbath, ceasing, rest
The Hebrew word for Sabbath — God's weekly day of rest, rooted in creation (Genesis 2:2-3) and commanded in the Decalogue (Exodus 20:8-11). Shabbat is a sign of the covenant and a foretaste of eternal rest.
Shabbat (שַׁבָּת) comes from the Hebrew verb shavat, meaning 'to cease' or 'to rest.' The root expresses cessation from work. The English 'Sabbath' is the direct transliteration. Shabbat is the seventh day of the week, Saturday — beginning at sundown Friday and ending at sundown Saturday. The word appears throughout the Hebrew Bible. The Greek equivalent in the New Testament is 'sabbaton' (σάββατον), used for both the seventh day and for the seven-day week in general (e.g., 'mia tōn sabbatōn' — the first day of the week — Matthew 28:1).
Shabbat in the Bible. (1) Creation. Genesis 2:2-3 — 'And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it.' Shabbat is built into creation. (2) Manna. Exodus 16:23-30 — God gave double manna on the sixth day so Israel could rest on the seventh, before the law was given at Sinai. (3) The Ten Commandments. Exodus 20:8-11 — 'Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.' Six days of work, the seventh of rest. (4) Sign of the covenant. Exodus 31:13 — 'a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you.' (5) Penalty for breaking. Numbers 15:32-36 — a man gathering sticks on the Sabbath was stoned. The Sabbath was taken seriously. (6) Prophet's emphasis. Isaiah 58:13-14 — Shabbat is to be 'a delight,' not a burden. (7) Jesus and the Sabbath. Mark 2:27 — 'The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath.' Mark 2:28 — 'the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.' Jesus repeatedly did good on the Sabbath, confronting Pharisaic legalism. (8) Lord's Day shift. The early church gathered on the first day of the week to honor Christ's resurrection (Acts 20:7). Most Christians observe Sunday rather than Saturday. Seventh-day Adventists hold to Saturday. Romans 14:5 allows individual conscience. (9) Hebrews 4. A 'sabbath rest' (sabbatismos) remains for God's people — fulfilled ultimately in eternal rest with Christ.
“And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.”
“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God.”
“And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath.”
“There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.”
“If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath... and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable.”
“My sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations.”
Honor a weekly rhythm of rest and worship. Whether you observe Saturday (Shabbat) or Sunday (the Lord's Day), make the day distinct. Worship with the church. Cease ordinary work. Enjoy creation, family, and rest. Find your deepest Shabbat in Christ — Hebrews 4:9-10. The weekly rhythm points to the eternal rest.
Shabbat is the Hebrew word for Sabbath — the seventh day of the week (Saturday) commanded by God as a day of rest and worship. It is rooted in creation (Genesis 2:2-3) and commanded in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:8-11). For Jews, Shabbat is a sign of the covenant. For most Christians, the principle is honored on Sunday (the Lord's Day).
Because Genesis 2:2-3 says God rested on the seventh day of creation. The Israelite week began on Sunday, so the seventh day was Saturday (sundown Friday to sundown Saturday). The Sabbath is rooted in the creation week itself, not just Mosaic law. Most Christians honor the principle on Sunday (Christ's resurrection day) while Seventh-day Adventists and others observe Saturday.
Yes — but he confronted the Pharisaic legalism around it. Jesus declared 'the sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath' (Mark 2:27) and 'the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath' (Mark 2:28). He healed on the Sabbath, picked grain, and did good — all in the spirit of the law. He fulfilled the Sabbath's deeper meaning.
Christians disagree. Strict Sabbatarians say yes, transferred to Sunday. Most evangelicals say the principle (rest and gathered worship) is binding, not the specific Mosaic form. Romans 14:5 allows individual conscience. Seventh-day Adventists observe Saturday. All Christians can agree the rhythm of work and rest is good and biblical; gathered worship is commanded (Hebrews 10:25).