Comparison of Sabbath commandment in Exodus 20:8-11 with the same commandment in Deuteronomy 5:12-15

The Sabbath Commandment in Exodus and Deuteronomy

Theology students might find it fascinating to compare the Sabbath commandment in Exodus 20:8-11 with the identical requirement in Deuteronomy 5:12-15. Exodus 20:8-11's injunction about the Sabbath is a well-known one in Christianity, especially among Adventists. In Judaism, it is a crucial commandment. The similarities between the Decalogue in Deuteronomy chapter 5 and Exodus chapter 20 are particularly striking, and the comparison between the two Bible passages adds an intriguing dimension. However, there are a few changes between the two sections that may be confusing to most readers and continue to highlight important issues. There are some similar relationships existing between the two Bible sections presenting an intriguing augment, the similarities between the Decalogue in the book of Deuteronomy chapter 5 and Exodus chapter 20 are very impressive. On the other hand, a number of differences between the two sections may be puzzling to most of the readers and continue to raise serious questions.

Similarities Between the Two Bible Sections

There are some similar relationships existing between the two Bible sections. In Exodus 20:8, the Bible says "…remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. In the same way, Deuteronomy 5:12 says "…observe the Sabbath day and keep it holy, as Yahweh God has commanded you". Deuteronomy 5:13 says that the six days you shall labor and do all your work, and Exodus 20:9 makes the same statement. According to Exodus 20:10, the seventh day is a Sabbath day of God, and "you shall not do any kind of work neither your son or your daughter, your female servant or male servant or your cattle and your sojourner in the gates". In the same way, Deuteronomy 5:12 says the same statement and adds the relevance of Sabbath as a resting day.

Differences Between the Two Sections

All the above similarities show that there is a higher degree of correspondence in the first three Bible verses of both sections, but the Sabbath commandment is more detailed than in Exodus. While Exodus 20:8 begins with the word remember, Deuteronomy 5:12 starts with the word observe. The word remember exists in Deuteronomy but in verse 15 only. The concept is the same much as the words look difference. Both books emphasize that Sabbath should be maintained holy.

Purposes for Sabbath

Both books present varying reasons for Sabbath. For instance, the book of Exodus 20:8-11 emphasizes the celebration of creation as a major purpose for Sabbath. It highlights the six days of creation and reserves the seventh day for resting. In the book of Deuteronomy 5:12-15, the major purpose for Sabbath is the celebration of redemption. The redemption celebration was to remember the enslavement as well as the liberation of Christians from it.

The Use of Divine Names

The book of Deuteronomy 5:12-15 presents the phrase "as Yahweh your God has commanded you" two, and this phrase is not provided in the book of Exodus 20:8-11. Thus, the Deuteronomy passage accounts for the frequency of the use of divine names. In Exodus 20:8-11, the phrase "as Yahweh your God" is used frequently. The phrase "as Yahweh, your god has commanded you" is the Sabbath commandment in the book of Deuteronomy and forms an inclusion that points back to God, giving the Ten Commandments on the Sinai maintain (Berlin and Brettler 156).

Keeping Sabbath Holy

The act of keeping Sabbath holy is reflected once in the book of Deuteronomy 5:12-15, and Exodus 20:8-11 uses the same word "holy" two times. Much as the difference between those two books seems to be small, the charge of keeping Sabbath remains the same in both books. The major reason provided for Sabbath is to keep it holy. The book of Deuteronomy does not state the origin of Sabbath. Therefore, Sabbath is not instituted because of the movement from Egypt, but because of creation. People are called upon to obey the Sabbath commandment because of salvation and creation as stated in the book of Exodus (David 151).

Works Cited

Craigie David The Sabbath day” in the Ten Commandments for Jews, Christians, and others, ed. R. E. Van Harn Grand Rapids, mi: Eerdmans (2007), the “political-historical meaning of the Sabbath” of Deuteronomy and the “ontological meaning” of the Sabbath in Exodus. 2009; 50-155

Berlin, A & Brettler, M. The Jewish Study Bible. Oxford University Press, 2004