Considering - Analysis of the Ten Words Masoretic / Paleo / Pictograph As we have already mentioned, Shabbat rest means nothing unless the counterpoint of work is included in the context. Perhaps the word for work in Paleo-Hebrew recognizes this counterpoint by suggesting two covenant contexts. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work ............... The commandment continues with an explanation of its intent and a justification for its instruction. In verse 10 we are given specifics about the application of this commandment. We should notice the implication. If Shabbat were already a normal part of the week, such explanation would not be necessary. For example, there is no explanation of why a sacrifice is needed. There are plenty of instructions about what to bring for a sacrifice, who to present it to, how it is to be treated after it is presented, etc., but there is no explanation about the necessity of sacrifice. That is assumed because it was already part of the understanding of the people. Where we find detailed explanation, we can reasonably assume that the information is new and that the practice was not already incorporated into the culture. Shabbat seems to be one of these new practices; a practice that defines what it means to be part of this new nation established by G-d. With this in mind, we will examine the specific application of the idea of a sacred time of rest. First, we see that the commandment continues with the application to every living thing within the environment of the people.
Posted on: Fri, 03 Oct 2014 01:41:16 +0000
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