the Sabbath

[SaysWhat]

The Bible does not provide specific, direct instructions about an exact distance one can travel on the Sabbath day. However, there are principles and some examples in the Scriptures that address the observance of the Sabbath and the limitations on activities, including travel.

Old Testament Context:
In the Old Testament, the main commandment regarding the Sabbath comes from Exodus 20:8-10:

"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: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:
For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it." (Exodus 20:8-10, KJV)

This commandment focuses on resting and refraining from work, but it does not specify the distance one may travel. The issue of travel, though, is implied in various Jewish traditions and later interpretations.

Travel on the Sabbath
In the book of Exodus, there is an indirect reference to the concept of travel or staying in one place during the Sabbath:

Exodus 16:29: See, for that the LORD hath given you the sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day." (Exodus 16:29, KJV)

This suggests that no one should go out of their place on the Sabbath, implying that travel beyond one's home or dwelling place was restricted. However, this passage does not specify a set distance but emphasizes the idea of staying in one’s place on the Sabbath.

The Sabbath Day’s Journey

In the New Testament, there is a more specific reference to the distance one could travel on the Sabbath.

Acts 1:12:"Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey." (Acts 1:12, KJV)

The phrase "a sabbath day's journey" refers to a traditional Jewish measurement of distance. According to Jewish law, as interpreted by the Pharisees and Rabbis, a person was allowed to travel (about 2,000 cubits (approximately 3,000 feet or about half a mile) from their home or place of residence on the Sabbath without violating the commandment to "rest." This was based on interpretations of the Mosaic law regarding the "city of refuge" and the "limits of travel" during the Sabbath.

The restriction of "2,000 cubits" is rooted in Numbers 35:5, which refers to the cities of refuge being located at specific distances:

"And ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you; that the slayer may flee thither, which killeth any person at unawares. And they shall be unto you cities for refuge from the avenger; that the manslayer die not, until he stand before the congregation in judgment." (Numbers 35:11-12, KJV)

The distance of 2,000 cubits (around half a mile) is drawn from the idea that this was the distance outside the city walls where people could go without violating Sabbath observance.

Clearly, the Bible does not explicitly state a precise rule on how far one can travel on the Sabbath day. However, it is clear that travel beyond one's immediate area was restricted, and Jewish tradition, as reflected in Acts 1:12, limited travel to "a Sabbath day's journey"—which was traditionally understood to be about 2,000 cubits (roughly 3,000 feet or about half a mile).

This is what scripture says.

Imo the Pharisees pretty much were pushing the restrictions, limiting the distance to extremes. Way to control the people.

 

[mailmandan]

 

[SabbathBlessing]

A Sabbath day's journey is around a 1000 feet. That is the distance one could travel on a Sabbath.

That is why Matthew 24:20 mentions the winter and on a Sabbath which both will restrict movement. Winter because of the rainy seasons mud. Sabbath because jews weren't aloud to travel very far on the Sabbath. And Christian in the land abide by the Sabbath law of limited travel.

Verse please

 

[SabbathBlessing]

The Bible does not provide specific, direct instructions about an exact distance one can travel on the Sabbath day. However, there are principles and some examples in the Scriptures that address the observance of the Sabbath and the limitations on activities, including travel.

Old Testament Context:
In the Old Testament, the main commandment regarding the Sabbath comes from Exodus 20:8-10:

"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: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:
For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it." (Exodus 20:8-10, KJV)

This commandment focuses on resting and refraining from work, but it does not specify the distance one may travel. The issue of travel, though, is implied in various Jewish traditions and later interpretations.

Travel on the Sabbath
In the book of Exodus, there is an indirect reference to the concept of travel or staying in one place during the Sabbath:

Exodus 16:29: See, for that the LORD hath given you the sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day." (Exodus 16:29, KJV)

This suggests that no one should go out of their place on the Sabbath, implying that travel beyond one's home or dwelling place was restricted. However, this passage does not specify a set distance but emphasizes the idea of staying in one’s place on the Sabbath.

The Sabbath Day’s Journey

In the New Testament, there is a more specific reference to the distance one could travel on the Sabbath.

Acts 1:12:"Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey." (Acts 1:12, KJV)

The phrase "a sabbath day's journey" refers to a traditional Jewish measurement of distance. According to Jewish law, as interpreted by the Pharisees and Rabbis, a person was allowed to travel (about 2,000 cubits (approximately 3,000 feet or about half a mile) from their home or place of residence on the Sabbath without violating the commandment to "rest." This was based on interpretations of the Mosaic law regarding the "city of refuge" and the "limits of travel" during the Sabbath.

The restriction of "2,000 cubits" is rooted in Numbers 35:5, which refers to the cities of refuge being located at specific distances:

"And ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you; that the slayer may flee thither, which killeth any person at unawares. And they shall be unto you cities for refuge from the avenger; that the manslayer die not, until he stand before the congregation in judgment." (Numbers 35:11-12, KJV)

The distance of 2,000 cubits (around half a mile) is drawn from the idea that this was the distance outside the city walls where people could go without violating Sabbath observance.

Clearly, the Bible does not explicitly state a precise rule on how far one can travel on the Sabbath day. However, it is clear that travel beyond one's immediate area was restricted, and Jewish tradition, as reflected in Acts 1:12, limited travel to "a Sabbath day's journey"—which was traditionally understood to be about 2,000 cubits (roughly 3,000 feet or about half a mile).

This is what scripture says.

Hey there,

Just for your consideration....

Exo 16:29 was not saying they had to stay in their tents all day, it was referring to staying in their tents not to gather manna.

See! For the LORD has given you the Sabbath; therefore He gives you on the sixth day bread for two days. Let every man remain in his place; let no man go out of his place on the seventh day.”

God didn't want the Israelites to gather the manna on the Sabbath day because He gave a double proportion on the 6th day for the Sabbath day,

God said the Sabbath is a holy convocation - meaning a holy gathering, so no one was supposed to stay in their tent all day on the Sabbath

Lev 23:3 ‘Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation. You shall do no work on it; it is the Sabbath of the Lord in all your dwellings.

The apostles gathered together to hear the Word of God.

Acts 13:44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God.

I have never found anything in the scriptures that restricted how far one can travel on the Sabbath. The main theme of the Sabbath as you know, is to honor God and put aside all of our secular works and focus on God on His holy Sabbath day Isa 58:13.

 

[SabbathBlessing]

A Sabbath day's journey is around a 1000 feet. That is the distance one could travel on a Sabbath.

That is why Matthew 24:20 mentions the winter and on a Sabbath which both will restrict movement. Winter because of the rainy seasons mud. Sabbath because jews weren't aloud to travel very far on the Sabbath. And Christian in the land abide by the Sabbath law of limited travel.

No movement restricted

Mat 24:15 “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), 16 “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.

Matthew 24:20 And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath.

The main issue Jesus was saying when the destruction of Jerusalem happened if on the Sabbath, they would be in the synagogues on the Sabbath and would be taken by surprise.

The point is Jesus had Sabbath keepers decades after the Cross because the Sabbath never ended and everyone who knew the signs that were Sabbath-keepers lived. Those who didn't listen to the sign Jesus gave and stayed and chased after the Romans ended up dying or being captives.

 

[GWH]

What God deemed moral- His Truth, His Righteousness, His Holiness, His blessing, His Sanctification, will never be immoral.


Isa 56:1 Thus says the Lord:

“Keep justice, and do righteousness,
For My salvation is about to come,
And My righteousness to be revealed.

Isa 56: Blessed is the man who does this,
And the son of man who lays hold on it;
Who keeps from defiling the Sabbath,

Rev 22: 14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.

The Sabbath is a commandment of God thus saith the Lord written by the finger of God Exo 31:18 which are His works Exo 32:16 which we need to depend on and not our own works, our own truth our own righteousness

What God deemed moral- His Truth, His Righteousness, His Holiness, His blessing, His Sanctification, will never be immoral.


Isa 56:1 Thus says the Lord:

“Keep justice, and do righteousness,
For My salvation is about to come,
And My righteousness to be revealed.

Isa 56: Blessed is the man who does this,
And the son of man who lays hold on it;
Who keeps from defiling the Sabbath,

Rev 22: 14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.

The Sabbath is a commandment of God thus saith the Lord written by the finger of God Exo 31:18 which are His works Exo 32:16 which we need to depend on and not our own works, our own truth our own righteousness

Num 23:20 Behold, I have received a command to bless;
He has blessed, and I cannot reverse it.

No man can reverse God's blessing. We are need God's blessing for salvation.

I agree with what you said, but I think there is Scriptural reason to view Sabbatarian law as part of the Mosaic sacrificial system that has been fulfilled, ended and superseded by Christ's Gospel and law of love.

LIC

 

[SabbathBlessing]

@GWH

The Sabbath didn't start when animal sacrifices started, animal sacrifices started after the fall because of sin, for breaking God's law. 1 John 3:4 James 2:10-12

The weekly Sabbath started at Creation Gen 2:1-3, before sin and it points to our Creator of everything Exo 20:11 when everything was perfect. There is nothing in the Sabbath commandment that has anything to do with animal sacrifices Exo 20:8-11 Please show me one verse when Jesus was keeping the Sabbath that He also sacrificed animals or the apostles- the weekly Sabbath is about honoring God on the day He choose to set aside for mankind. Isa 58:13 Mark 2:27

 

[SaysWhat]

No movement restricted

Mat 24:15 “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), 16 “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.

Matthew 24:20 And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath.

The main issue Jesus was saying when the destruction of Jerusalem happened if on the Sabbath, they would be in the synagogues on the Sabbath and would be taken by surprise.

The point is Jesus had Sabbath keepers decades after the Cross because the Sabbath never ended and everyone who knew the signs that were Sabbath-keepers lived. Those who didn't listen to the sign Jesus gave and stayed and chased after the Romans ended up dying or being captives.

It was a civil law imposed by the Rabbis of that time.

That is why Matthew 24:20 says to pray that your flight "movement" isn't in winter because it is the rainy season or during a sabbath because of the Jewish civil law restricting traveling anywhere far.

 

[SaysWhat]

Verse please

There is no verse directly mentions restricted movement. Rabbis used other verses in numbers and Joshua to imposed their own man-made rules the civil law. It was well known because that is what is called a sabbath day's journey of that man-made restriction.

 

[SabbathBlessing]

It was a civil law imposed by the Rabbis of that time.

That is why Matthew 24:20 says to pray that your flight "movement" isn't in winter because it is the rainy season or during a sabbath because of the Jewish civil law restricting traveling anywhere far.

Verse please.

You don't seem to be following along Matthew 24. It is about the destruction of Jerusalem and then it goes right to the end of time when Jesus comes. This is not the Jew leaders speaking here, it is JESUS.

 

[GWH]

@GWH

The Sabbath didn't start when animal sacrifices started, animal sacrifices started after the fall because of sin, for breaking God's law. 1 John 3:4 James 2:10-12

The weekly Sabbath started at Creation Gen 2:1-3, before sin and it points to our Creator of everything Exo 20:11 when everything was perfect. There is nothing in the Sabbath commandment that has anything to do with animal sacrifices Exo 20:8-11 Please show me one verse when Jesus was keeping the Sabbath that He also sacrificed animals or the apostles- the weekly Sabbath is about honoring God on the day He choose to set aside for mankind. Isa 58:13 Mark 2:27

I realize that, but I also realize that neither Jesus nor Paul commanded Christians to continue obeying the Sabbath Law, whereas they DID reaffirm OT moral commands as compatible with the fruit of the Spirit.

 

[SabbathBlessing]

I realize that, but I also realize that neither Jesus nor Paul commanded Christians to continue obeying the Sabbath Law, whereas they DID reaffirm OT moral commands as compatible with the fruit of the Spirit.

Your words, not God's. Is profaning Christ compatible with the fruits of the Spirit, do you have a verse for this? God's law is not in conflict with His Spirit. Its a sad teaching.

Rom 8:6 For to be [b]carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the [c]carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Isa 48:18
Oh, that you had heeded My commandments!
Then your peace would have been like a river,
And your righteousness like the waves of the sea.

 

[SabbathBlessing]

I realize that, but I also realize that neither Jesus nor Paul commanded Christians to continue obeying the Sabbath Law, whereas they DID reaffirm OT moral commands as compatible with the fruit of the Spirit.

My apologies, this message did not translate exactly how I meant it to be.

Your words, not God's. Is profaning Christ compatible with the fruits of the Spirit, do you have a verse for this? God's law is not in conflict with His Spirit. Its a sad teaching.

Rom 8:6 For to be [b]carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the [c]carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Isa 48:18
Oh, that you had heeded My commandments!
Then your peace would have been like a river,
And your righteousness like the waves of the sea.

At any rate, I don't think we will agree, but I do wish you well.

 

[Inquisitor]

Mat 4:4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”

1 John 2:5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God [a]is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. 6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.


1 Peter 2:21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:

22 “Who committed no sin,
Nor was deceit found in His mouth”;

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

We are free to live by other people's words and believe what Jesus taught and how He lived "were for other people" I prefer to live by His Word and follow His example and know He will never lead me off the narrow path. Jesus said its when we keep our rules over obeying the commandments of God quoting from the Ten Commandments, that leads one in a ditch. The path we choose by our obedience is who we serve Rom 6:16. We are given free will, we can change our mind today Heb 3:7-8 and be followers of Christ following in His steps, but one day soon, it will be too late Rev 22:11

The law, the 10 commandments, belonged to the old covenant and those laws are obsolete now.

There are hundreds of law from Mt Sinai that you do not obey and you would be a liar. If you
claimed that you live by everything that God spoken.

You do not obey all the words that the Lord has spoken.

We are in a new covenant now and we walk by the spirit, we no longer walk in the flesh.

 

[Inquisitor]

if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.(mat 19:17)

This debate reduces to the identification of which commandments are the actual
commandments Jesus identified.

 

[Inquisitor]

The Bible does not provide specific, direct instructions about an exact distance one can travel on the Sabbath day. However, there are principles and some examples in the Scriptures that address the observance of the Sabbath and the limitations on activities, including travel.

Old Testament Context:
In the Old Testament, the main commandment regarding the Sabbath comes from Exodus 20:8-10:

"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: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:
For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it." (Exodus 20:8-10, KJV)

This commandment focuses on resting and refraining from work, but it does not specify the distance one may travel. The issue of travel, though, is implied in various Jewish traditions and later interpretations.

Travel on the Sabbath
In the book of Exodus, there is an indirect reference to the concept of travel or staying in one place during the Sabbath:

Exodus 16:29: See, for that the LORD hath given you the sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day." (Exodus 16:29, KJV)

This suggests that no one should go out of their place on the Sabbath, implying that travel beyond one's home or dwelling place was restricted. However, this passage does not specify a set distance but emphasizes the idea of staying in one’s place on the Sabbath.

The Sabbath Day’s Journey

In the New Testament, there is a more specific reference to the distance one could travel on the Sabbath.

Acts 1:12:"Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey." (Acts 1:12, KJV)

The phrase "a sabbath day's journey" refers to a traditional Jewish measurement of distance. According to Jewish law, as interpreted by the Pharisees and Rabbis, a person was allowed to travel (about 2,000 cubits (approximately 3,000 feet or about half a mile) from their home or place of residence on the Sabbath without violating the commandment to "rest." This was based on interpretations of the Mosaic law regarding the "city of refuge" and the "limits of travel" during the Sabbath.

The restriction of "2,000 cubits" is rooted in Numbers 35:5, which refers to the cities of refuge being located at specific distances:

"And ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you; that the slayer may flee thither, which killeth any person at unawares. And they shall be unto you cities for refuge from the avenger; that the manslayer die not, until he stand before the congregation in judgment." (Numbers 35:11-12, KJV)

The distance of 2,000 cubits (around half a mile) is drawn from the idea that this was the distance outside the city walls where people could go without violating Sabbath observance.

Clearly, the Bible does not explicitly state a precise rule on how far one can travel on the Sabbath day. However, it is clear that travel beyond one's immediate area was restricted, and Jewish tradition, as reflected in Acts 1:12, limited travel to "a Sabbath day's journey"—which was traditionally understood to be about 2,000 cubits (roughly 3,000 feet or about half a mile).

This is what scripture says.

Obviously where possible an Israelite would stay home unless they wished to go to the
temple. The sabbath day in Israel was a day of rest and I don't think anyone understands
what that means. One could go to the temple and make a sacrifice.

 

[SabbathBlessing]

God said He would write His law in the hearts and minds of His people in the New Covenant because the NC is not established on new laws but on better promises Heb 8:6 on how to keep God’s law, through His power by our faith and love Heb 8:10 John 14:15-18 which is a much better promise.

To claim the Ten Commandments are not His laws, is really an argument with God because He claimed them as His and He does not change.

Exo 32:16 Now the tablets were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God engraved on the tablets.
Deut 4: 13 So He declared to you His covenant which He commanded you to perform, the Ten Commandments; and He wrote them on two tablets of stone.

Exo 34:28 So he was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights; he neither ate bread nor drank water. And He wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments.

Right in the Ten Commandments that God wrote with His own finger He said they were MY commandments- this includes the Sabbath.

Exodus 20:6 but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.

John the Revelator saw the ark of the covenant in the New Testament in heaven Rev 11:19

And we know what is inside that didn’t change

Hebrews 9:4 which had the golden censer and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were the golden pot that had the manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant;

God wrote Ten Commandments, not nine and God’s people keep God’s commandments until the end of time Rev 12:17 Rev 14:12 Rev 22:14-15 even the one God said to Remember, Gods people don’t forget.

 

[GWH]

Your words, not God's. Is profaning Christ compatible with the fruits of the Spirit, do you have a verse for this? God's law is not in conflict with His Spirit. Its a sad teaching.

Rom 8:6 For to be [b]carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the [c]carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Isa 48:18
Oh, that you had heeded My commandments!
Then your peace would have been like a river,
And your righteousness like the waves of the sea.

That's funny! You ask me to have a verse for something I said was missing.

Do you have a verse showing Jesus or Paul commanded Christians to continue obeying the Sabbath Law instead of to do good on the Sabbath as on other days (vs. MT 12:12) or to not treat the Sabbath as special (vs. CL 2:16)?

 

[Inquisitor]

For this IS the love of God that we keep His commandments 1 John 5:3

It works forward and backwards. We do not fulfill the law of love by breaking the commandments, the commandments are fulfilled by love when keeping. Breaking them is sin Rom 7:7 1 John 3:4 James 2:10-12 and without repentance and a change of heart and direction leads one on the wrong path Rom 6:16

If you are truly loving others then you cannot be breaking the law.

Love and the law are polar opposites.

God is love.

The letter is death.

 

[Inquisitor]

God said He would write His law in the hearts and minds of His people in the New Covenant because the NC is not established on new laws but on better promises Heb 8:6 on how to keep God’s law, through His power by our faith and love Heb 8:10 John 14:15-18 which is a much better promise.

To claim the Ten Commandments are not His laws, is really an argument with God because He claimed them as His and He does not change.

Exo 32:16 Now the tablets were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God engraved on the tablets.
Deut 4: 13 So He declared to you His covenant which He commanded you to perform, the Ten Commandments; and He wrote them on two tablets of stone.

Exo 34:28 So he was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights; he neither ate bread nor drank water. And He wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments.

Right in the Ten Commandments that God wrote with His own finger

Exodus 20:6 but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.

John the Revelator saw the ark of the covenant in the New Testament Rev 11:19

And we know what is inside that didn’t change

Hebrews 9:4 which had the golden censer and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were the golden pot that had the manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant;

God wrote Ten Commandments, not nine and God’s people keep God’s commandments until the end of time Rev 12:17 Rev 14:12 Rev 22:14-15

We are under grace and not under the law.

Romans 6:14
For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under the Law but under grace.

2 Corinthians 3:6
Who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit;
for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

It is very simple.