Leviticus 23:3
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.
Leviticus 23:3
This verse establishes the Sabbath as a day of rest and holy gathering within the “dwelling” of Israel. The Sabbath is framed as a model of divine rest—“six days” of work followed by a day designated for rest and holy assembly. The Sabbath sanctifies ordinary time; it’s a countercultural rhythm in a world driven by productivity. In the broader calendar, this verse grounds the legal and worship life in continual dependence on God’s provision and presence.
Holiness, rest, and covenant identity center this verse. The Sabbath is more than leisure; it’s a symbol of divine rest and trust in God’s sovereignty. It prefigures rest in Christ (Hebrews 4) and indicates God’s people live under a gracious, not a legalistic, framework.
Practically, Sabbath invites rest from relentless busyness. Carve out regular time for worship, reflection, relationships, and restoration. It’s not merely “time off” but a reorientation toward God’s presence. In families, designate a day or portion of a day for unplugging from work, screens, and schedules, and engage in shared meals, nature, or service.
Cross-References: Genesis 2:2-3; Exodus 20:8-11; Isaiah 58:13-14; Mark 2:27-28; Hebrews 4:9-11