CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Genesis 2:3 Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because on that day He rested from all the work of creation that He had accomplished.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/2-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/18/01_Gen_02_03.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 2:3 - The Seventh Day" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because on that day He rested from all the work of creation that He had accomplished." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/genesis/2-3.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/genesis/2-3.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/genesis/">Genesis</a> > <a href="/genesis/2.htm">Chapter 2</a> > Verse 3</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad3.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/genesis/2-2.htm" title="Genesis 2:2">◄</a> Genesis 2:3 <a href="/genesis/2-4.htm" title="Genesis 2:4">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/genesis/2.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/genesis/2.htm">New International Version</a> Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done. <a href="/nlt/genesis/2.htm">New Living Translation</a> And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation. <a href="/esv/genesis/2.htm">English Standard Version</a> So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation. <a href="/bsb/genesis/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because on that day He rested from all the work of creation that He had accomplished. <a href="/kjv/genesis/2.htm">King James Bible</a> And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made. <a href="/nkjv/genesis/2.htm">New King James Version</a> Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made. <a href="/nasb_/genesis/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because on it He rested from all His work which God had created and made. <a href="/nasb/genesis/2.htm">NASB 1995</a> Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made. <a href="/nasb77/genesis/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made. <a href="/lsb/genesis/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because on it He rested from all His work which God had created in making it. <a href="/amp/genesis/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a> So God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it [as His own, that is, set it apart as holy from other days], because in it He rested from all His work which He had created and done. <a href="/csb/genesis/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, for on it he rested from all his work of creation. <a href="/hcsb/genesis/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, for on it He rested from His work of creation. <a href="/asv/genesis/2.htm">American Standard Version</a> And God blessed the seventh day, and hallowed it; because that in it he rested from all his work which God had created and made. <a href="/cev/genesis/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> God blessed the seventh day and made it special, because on that day he rested from his work. <a href="/erv/genesis/2.htm">English Revised Version</a> And God blessed the seventh day, and hallowed it: because that in it he rested from all his work which God had created and made. <a href="/gwt/genesis/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Then God blessed the seventh day and set it apart as holy, because on that day he stopped all his work of creation. <a href="/gnt/genesis/2.htm">Good News Translation</a> He blessed the seventh day and set it apart as a special day, because by that day he had completed his creation and stopped working. <a href="/isv/genesis/2.htm">International Standard Version</a> Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God stopped working on everything that he had been creating. <a href="/msb/genesis/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because on that day He rested from all the work of creation that He had accomplished. <a href="/net/genesis/2.htm">NET Bible</a> God blessed the seventh day and made it holy because on it he ceased all the work that he had been doing in creation. <a href="/nheb/genesis/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> So God blessed the seventh day, and made it holy, because he rested on it from all his works which God had created and made. <a href="/wbt/genesis/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made. <a href="/web/genesis/2.htm">World English Bible</a> God blessed the seventh day, and made it holy, because he rested in it from all his work of creation which he had done. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/genesis/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And God blesses the seventh day, and sanctifies it, for in it He has ceased from all His work which God had created for making. <a href="/ylt/genesis/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And God blesseth the seventh day, and sanctifieth it, for in it He hath ceased from all His work which God had prepared for making. <a href="/slt/genesis/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And God will praise the seventh day, and will consecrate it, because in it he ceased from all his works which God formed to make.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/genesis/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And he blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made. <a href="/cpdv/genesis/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And he blessed the seventh day and sanctified it. For in it, he had ceased from all his work: the work whereby God created whatever he should make. <a href="/nabre/genesis/2.htm">New American Bible</a> God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work he had done in creation. <a href="/nrsvce/genesis/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work that he had done in creation.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/genesis/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> So God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it; because in it he had rested from all his works which God created and made. <a href="/hpbt/genesis/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And God blessed the seventh day and he hallowed it, because in it he rested from all his works that God created to make.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/genesis/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And God blessed the seventh day, and hallowed it; because that in it He rested from all His work which God in creating had made. <a href="/sep/genesis/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it he ceased from all his works which God began to do. <a href="/parallel/genesis/2-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=313" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/genesis/2.htm">The Seventh Day</a> …2And by the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on that day He rested from all His work. 3<a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hîm (N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">Then God</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1288.htm" title="1288: way·ḇā·reḵ (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To kneel, bless. A primitive root; to kneel; by implication to bless God, and man; also to curse.">blessed</a> <a href="/hebrew/7637.htm" title="7637: haš·šə·ḇî·‘î (Art:: Number-oms) -- Seventh (an ord. number). Or shbi iy; ordinal from shib'iym. seventh.">the seventh</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: yō·wm (N-msc) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">day</a> <a href="/hebrew/6942.htm" title="6942: way·qad·dêš (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To be set apart or consecrated. A primitive root; to be clean.">and sanctified</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’ō·ṯōw (DirObjM:: 3ms) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">it,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">because</a> <a href="/hebrew/ḇōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- ">on that day</a> <a href="/hebrew/7673.htm" title="7673: šā·ḇaṯ (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To repose, desist from exertion. A primitive root; to repose, i.e. Desist from exertion; used in many implied relations.">He rested</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: mik·kāl (Prep-m:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">from all</a> <a href="/hebrew/4399.htm" title="4399: mə·laḵ·tōw (N-fsc:: 3ms) -- From the same as mal'ak; properly, deputyship, i.e. Ministry; generally, employment or work; also property.">the work</a> <a href="/hebrew/1254.htm" title="1254: bā·rā (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To create, to cut down, select, feed. A primitive root; to create; to cut down, select, feed.">of creation</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer- (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hîm (N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">He</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: la·‘ă·śō·wṯ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">had accomplished.</a> <div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/exodus/20-8.htm">Exodus 20:8-11</a> Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. / Six days you shall labor and do all your work, / but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God, on which you must not do any work—neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant or livestock, nor the foreigner within your gates. ... <a href="/exodus/31-17.htm">Exodus 31:17</a> It is a sign between Me and the Israelites forever; for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, but on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.’” <a href="/hebrews/4-4.htm">Hebrews 4:4-10</a> For somewhere He has spoken about the seventh day in this manner: “And on the seventh day God rested from all His works.” / And again, as He says in the passage above: “They shall never enter My rest.” / Since, then, it remains for some to enter His rest, and since those who formerly heard the good news did not enter because of their disobedience, ... <a href="/isaiah/58-13.htm">Isaiah 58:13-14</a> If you turn your foot from breaking the Sabbath, from doing as you please on My holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight, and the LORD’s holy day honorable, if you honor it by not going your own way or seeking your own pleasure or speaking idle words, / then you will delight yourself in the LORD, and I will make you ride on the heights of the land and feed you with the heritage of your father Jacob.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken. <a href="/deuteronomy/5-12.htm">Deuteronomy 5:12-15</a> Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the LORD your God has commanded you. / Six days you shall labor and do all your work, / but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God, on which you must not do any work—neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your ox or donkey or any of your livestock, nor the foreigner within your gates, so that your manservant and maidservant may rest as you do. ... <a href="/mark/2-27.htm">Mark 2:27-28</a> Then Jesus declared, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. / Therefore, the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.” <a href="/leviticus/23-3.htm">Leviticus 23:3</a> For six days work may be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of complete rest, a day of sacred assembly. You must not do any work; wherever you live, it is a Sabbath to the LORD. <a href="/nehemiah/9-14.htm">Nehemiah 9:14</a> You revealed to them Your holy Sabbath and gave them commandments and statutes and laws through Your servant Moses. <a href="/matthew/12-8.htm">Matthew 12:8</a> For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” <a href="/ezekiel/20-12.htm">Ezekiel 20:12</a> I also gave them My Sabbaths as a sign between us, so that they would know that I am the LORD who sanctifies them. <a href="/colossians/2-16.htm">Colossians 2:16-17</a> Therefore let no one judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a feast, a New Moon, or a Sabbath. / These are a shadow of the things to come, but the body that casts it belongs to Christ. <a href="/luke/6-5.htm">Luke 6:5</a> Then Jesus declared, “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” <a href="/psalms/95-11.htm">Psalm 95:11</a> So I swore on oath in My anger, “They shall never enter My rest.” <a href="/isaiah/56-2.htm">Isaiah 56:2-6</a> Blessed is the man who does this, and the son of man who holds it fast, who keeps the Sabbath without profaning it and keeps his hand from doing any evil.” / Let no foreigner who has joined himself to the LORD say, “The LORD will utterly exclude me from His people.” And let the eunuch not say, “I am but a dry tree.” / For this is what the LORD says: “To the eunuchs who keep My Sabbaths, who choose what pleases Me and hold fast to My covenant— ... <a href="/revelation/14-13.htm">Revelation 14:13</a> And I heard a voice from heaven telling me to write, “Blessed are the dead—those who die in the Lord from this moment on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labors, for their deeds will follow them.”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.blessed.<a href="/exodus/16-22.htm">Exodus 16:22-30</a> And it came to pass, that on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for one man: and all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses… <a href="/exodus/20-8.htm">Exodus 20:8-11</a> Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy… <a href="/exodus/23-12.htm">Exodus 23:12</a> Six days thou shalt do thy work, and on the seventh day thou shalt rest: that thine ox and thine ass may rest, and the son of thy handmaid, and the stranger, may be refreshed.created and made.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/1-28.htm">Blessed</a> <a href="/genesis/1-22.htm">Blesseth</a> <a href="/genesis/1-22.htm">Blessing</a> <a href="/1_peter/4-1.htm">Ceased</a> <a href="/genesis/1-27.htm">Created</a> <a href="/acts/16-20.htm">Creating</a> <a href="/revelation/13-8.htm">Creation</a> <a href="/luke/11-2.htm">Hallowed</a> <a href="/revelation/22-19.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/genesis/1-22.htm">Making</a> <a href="/genesis/1-27.htm">Prepared</a> <a href="/genesis/2-2.htm">Rest</a> <a href="/genesis/2-2.htm">Rested</a> <a href="/revelation/22-11.htm">Sanctified</a> <a href="/hebrews/9-13.htm">Sanctifieth</a> <a href="/genesis/2-2.htm">Seventh</a> <a href="/genesis/2-2.htm">Work</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/5-2.htm">Blessed</a> <a href="/genesis/5-2.htm">Blesseth</a> <a href="/genesis/5-2.htm">Blessing</a> <a href="/genesis/17-22.htm">Ceased</a> <a href="/genesis/2-4.htm">Created</a> <a href="/isaiah/45-7.htm">Creating</a> <a href="/habakkuk/2-18.htm">Creation</a> <a href="/exodus/19-14.htm">Hallowed</a> <a href="/genesis/12-6.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/genesis/2-4.htm">Making</a> <a href="/genesis/2-4.htm">Prepared</a> <a href="/genesis/2-15.htm">Rest</a> <a href="/genesis/8-4.htm">Rested</a> <a href="/exodus/19-10.htm">Sanctified</a> <a href="/exodus/19-14.htm">Sanctifieth</a> <a href="/genesis/7-10.htm">Seventh</a> <a href="/genesis/2-15.htm">Work</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 2</div>1. <a href="/genesis/2-1.htm">The first Sabbath.</a> 4. <a href="/genesis/2-4.htm">Further details concerning the manner of creation.</a> 8. <a href="/genesis/2-8.htm">The planting of the garden of Eden, and its situation;</a> 15. <a href="/genesis/2-15.htm">man is placed in it; and the tree of knowledge forbidden.</a> 18. <a href="/genesis/2-18.htm">The animals are named by Adam.</a> 21. <a href="/genesis/2-21.htm">The making of woman, and the institution of marriage.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/2.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/2.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Then God blessed the seventh day The concept of blessing in the Bible often signifies a divine favor or endowment. Here, God sets apart the seventh day as special, indicating its importance. This blessing is not just a verbal declaration but an impartation of divine favor and purpose. The seventh day, later known as the Sabbath, becomes a recurring theme throughout Scripture, symbolizing rest and completion. In <a href="/exodus/20-8.htm">Exodus 20:8-11</a>, the Sabbath is instituted as a day of rest for the Israelites, reflecting God's rest after creation. The blessing of the seventh day also foreshadows the ultimate rest found in Christ, as mentioned in <a href="/hebrews/4-9.htm">Hebrews 4:9-10</a>.and sanctified it To sanctify means to set apart as holy. By sanctifying the seventh day, God distinguishes it from the other days of creation. This act of sanctification establishes a pattern for humanity to follow—a rhythm of work and rest. The sanctification of the Sabbath is a precursor to the holiness required of God's people, as seen in <a href="/leviticus/19-2.htm">Leviticus 19:2</a>, where God calls His people to be holy as He is holy. The sanctification of the day also points to the future sanctification of believers through Christ, who fulfills the law and the prophets (<a href="/matthew/5-17.htm">Matthew 5:17</a>).because on that day He rested God's rest is not due to fatigue but signifies the completion and satisfaction of His creative work. This rest serves as a model for humanity, emphasizing the importance of rest and reflection. The Hebrew word for rest, "Shabbat," is the root for the word Sabbath, indicating cessation from labor. This rest is a divine pause, allowing for contemplation and appreciation of creation. It also prefigures the eternal rest promised to believers, as described in <a href="/revelation/14-13.htm">Revelation 14:13</a>, where the faithful rest from their labors.from all the work of creation The phrase underscores the totality and perfection of God's creative acts. Everything necessary for life and sustenance was completed in six days, highlighting God's omnipotence and wisdom. This completion of creation sets the stage for humanity's stewardship of the earth, as outlined in <a href="/genesis/1-28.htm">Genesis 1:28</a>. The work of creation is a testament to God's power and serves as a foundation for understanding His ongoing relationship with the world. It also points to the new creation in Christ, where believers are made new (<a href="/2_corinthians/5-17.htm">2 Corinthians 5:17</a>).that He had accomplished The use of "accomplished" indicates the intentionality and purposefulness of God's actions. Creation was not a random act but a deliberate and orderly process. This accomplishment reflects God's sovereignty and His ability to bring His plans to fruition. The completion of creation is a reminder of God's faithfulness and the assurance that He will accomplish His purposes in history, as seen in <a href="/isaiah/46-10.htm">Isaiah 46:10</a>. It also foreshadows the ultimate accomplishment of redemption through Jesus Christ, who declared, "It is finished" (<a href="/john/19-30.htm">John 19:30</a>), signifying the completion of His redemptive work.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a> The Creator who completed His work of creation and set apart the seventh day as holy. 2. <a href="/topical/s/seventh_day.htm">Seventh Day</a> The day God blessed and sanctified, marking the completion of creation and the institution of rest. 3. <a href="/topical/c/creation.htm">Creation</a> The work that God completed, which includes the heavens, the earth, and all living things.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_principle_of_rest.htm">The Principle of Rest</a> God established a pattern of work and rest, highlighting the importance of rest in our lives. This principle encourages us to find balance and prioritize spiritual and physical rejuvenation. <a href="/topical/s/sanctification_of_time.htm">Sanctification of Time</a> By sanctifying the seventh day, God demonstrates that time can be holy. We are called to set apart time for worship, reflection, and connection with God. <a href="/topical/i/imitating_god's_example.htm">Imitating God’s Example</a> As God rested, we are invited to imitate His example by taking regular rest, which is essential for our well-being and spiritual growth. <a href="/topical/t/the_blessing_of_the_sabbath.htm">The Blessing of the Sabbath</a> The Sabbath is not merely a command but a blessing. Observing a day of rest can lead to deeper relationships with God and others, providing a rhythm of grace in our lives. <a href="/topical/c/creation's_completion_and_god's_sovereignty.htm">Creation’s Completion and God’s Sovereignty</a> The completion of creation and God’s rest underscore His sovereignty and the perfection of His work. We can trust in His perfect plan and provision.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 2</a> <a href="/q/what_is_the_adamic_covenant.htm">What is the Adamic Covenant?</a> <a href="/q/bible_events'_chronological_order.htm">What is the chronological order of events in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/why_did_god_rest_on_day_seven.htm">Why did God rest on day seven?</a> <a href="/q/what_did_god_do_on_day_seven.htm">What did God do on day seven?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(3) Sanctified it.--That is, separated it from ordinary uses, and hallowed it. Legal observance of the Sabbath did not begin till the days of Moses (<a href="/exodus/31-13.htm" title="Speak you also to the children of Israel, saying, Truly my sabbaths you shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that you may know that I am the LORD that does sanctify you.">Exodus 31:13</a>; <a href="/exodus/35-2.htm" title="Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be to you an holy day, a sabbath of rest to the LORD: whoever does work therein shall be put to death.">Exodus 35:2</a>); but this blessing and sanctification were given prior to any covenant with man, and by Elohim, the God of nature, and not Jehovah, the God of grace. The weekly rest, therefore, is universal, permanent, and independent of the Mosaic law.Which God created and made.--Literally, created to make. God created the world in order to make and form and fashion it. There is a work of completion which follows upon creation, and this may still be going on, and be perfected only when there is a new heaven and a new earth.THE GENERATIONS OF THE HEAVENS AND OF THE EARTH (<a href="/genesis/2-4.htm" title="These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens,">Genesis 2:4</a> to <a href="/genesis/4-26.htm" title="And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call on the name of the LORD.">Genesis 4:26</a>).After the hymn of creation the rest of the Book of Genesis is divided into ten sections of very unequal length, called toldoth, translated by the LXX. the Book of Genesis, or generation, whence the title given by St. Matthew to his Gospel. (See note on <a href="/genesis/5-1.htm" title="This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him;">Genesis 5:1</a>.) This title, however, does not mean a genealogical list of a person's ancestors, but the register of his posterity. As applied to the heavens and the earth, it signifies the history of what followed upon their creation. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 3. - And God blessed the seventh day. The blessing (cf. <a href="/genesis/1-22.htm">Genesis 1:22, 28</a>) of the seventh day implied - 1. That it was thereby declared to be the special object of the Divine favor. 2. That it was thenceforth to be a day or epoch of blessing for his creation. And - 3. That it was to be invested with a permanence which did not belong to the other six days - every one of which passed away and gave place to a successor. And sanctified it. Literally, declared it holy, or set it apart for holy purposes. As afterwards Mount Sinai was sanctified (<a href="/exodus/19-23.htm">Exodus 19:23</a>), or, for the time being, invested with a sacred character as the residence of God; and Aaron and his sons were sanctified, or consecrated to the priestly office (<a href="/exodus/29-44.htm">Exodus 29:44</a>); and the year of Jubilee was sanctified, or devoted to the purposes of religion (<a href="/leviticus/25-10.htm">Leviticus 25:10</a>), so here was the seventh day sanctified, or instituted in the interests of holiness, and as such proclaimed to be a holy day. Because that in it he had rested from all his work which God had created and made. Literally, created to make, the exact import of which has been variously explained. The "ω΅ν ἤρξατο ὁ θεός ποιῆσαι of the LXX. is obviously incorrect. Calvin, Ainsworth, Bush, et alii take the second verb emphatice, as intensifying the action of the first, and conveying the idea of a perfect creation. Kalisch, Alford, and others explain the second as epexegetic of the first, as in the similar phrases, "spoke, saying, literally, spoke to speak" (<a href="/exodus/6-10.htm">Exodus 6:10</a>), and "labored to do" (<a href="/ecclesiastes/2-11.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:11</a>). Onkelos, the Vulgate (quod Dens creavit ut faceret), Calvin, Tayler Lewis, etc. understand the infinitive in a relic sense, as expressive of the purpose for which the heavens and the earth were at first created, viz., that by the six days' work they might be fashioned into a cosmos. It has been observed that the usual concluding formula is not appended to the record of the seventh day, and the reason has perhaps been declared by Augustine: "Dies autem septimus sine vespera eat, nee habet occasum, quia sanctificasti eum ad permansionem sempiternam" ('Confess.,' 13:36). But now what was this seventh day which received Elohim's benediction? On the principle of interpretation applied to the creative days, this must be regarded as a period of indefinite duration, compounding to the human era of both Scripture and geology. But other Scriptures (<a href="/exodus/20-8.htm">Exodus 20:8</a>; <a href="/exodus/23-12.htm">Exodus 23:12</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/5-12.htm">Deuteronomy 5:12</a>, etc.) show that the Hebrews were enjoined by God to observe a seventh day rest in imitation of himself. There are also indications that sabbatic observance was not unknown to the patriarchs (<a href="/genesis/29-27.htm">Genesis 29:27, 28</a>), to the antediluvians (<a href="/genesis/8-6.htm">Genesis 8:6-12</a>), and to Cain and Abel (<a href="/genesis/4-3.htm">Genesis 4:3</a>). Profane history likewise vouches for the veracity of the statement of Josephus, that "there is not any city of the Grecians, nor any of the barbarians, nor any nation whatsoever, whither our custom of resting on the seventh day hath not come" ('Contra Apionem,' 2:40). The ancient Persians, Indians, and Germans esteemed the number seven as sacred. By the Greeks and Phoenicians a sacred character was ascribed to the seventh day. The Assyrians, Babylonians, Egyptians, and other nations of antiquity were acquainted with the hebdomadal division of time. Travelers have detected traces of it among the African and American aborigines. To account for its existence among nations so widely apart, both chronologically and geographically, recourse has been had to some violent hypotheses; as, e.g., to the number of the primary planets known to the ancients (Humboldt), the division of a lunar month into four nearly equal periods of seven days (Ideler, Baden Powell, etc.), Jewish example (Josephus). Its true genesis, however, must be sought for in the primitive observance of a seventh day rest in accordance with Divine appointment. Precisely as we reason that the early and widespread prevalence of sacrifice can only be explained by an authoritative revelation to the first parents of the human family of such a mode of worship, so do we conclude that a seventh day sabbath must have been prescribed to man in Eden. The question then arises, Is this sabbath also referred to in the Mosaic record of the seventh day? The popular Belief is that the institution of the weekly sabbath alone is the subject spoken of in the opening verses of the present chapter; and the language of <a href="/exodus/20-11.htm">Exodus 20:11</a> may at first sight appear to warrant this conclusion. A more careful consideration of the phraseology employed by Moses, how ever, shows that in the mind of the Hebrew lawgiver there existed a distinction between God's seventh day and man's sabbath, and that, instead of identifying the two, he meant to teach that the first was the reason of the second; as thus - "In six days God made.... and rested on the seventh day; where fore God blessed the (weekly) sabbath day, and hallowed it." Here it is commonly assumed that the words are exactly parallel to those in <a href="/genesis/2-3.htm">Genesis 2:3</a>, and that the sabbath in Exodus corresponds to the seventh day of Genesis. But this is open to debate. The seventh day which God blessed in Eden was the first day of human life, and not the seventh day; and it is certain that God did not rest from his labors on man's seventh day, but on man's first. We feel inclined then to hold with Luther that in <a href="/genesis/2-3.htm">Genesis 2:3</a> Moses says nothing about man's day, and that the seventh day which received the Divine benediction was God's own great aeonian period of sabbatic rest. At the same time, for the reasons above specified, believing that a weekly sabbath was pre scribed to man from the beginning, we have no difficulty in assenting to the words of Tayler Lewis: "'And God blessed the seventh day.' Which seventh day, the greater or the less, the Divine or the human, the aeonian or the astronomical? Both, is the easy answer; both, as commencing at the same time, so far as the one connects with astronomical time; both, as the greater including the less; both, as being (the one as represented, the other as typically representing) the same essence and idea." It does not appear necessary to refute the idea that the weekly sabbath had no existence till the giving of the law, and that it is only here proleptically referred to by Moses. In addition to the above-mentioned historical testimonies to the antiquity of the Sabbath, the Fifth Tablet in the Chaldean Creation Series, after referring to the fourth day's work, proceeds: - . . . <a href="/commentaries/genesis/2-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Then God אֱלֹהִים֙ (’ĕ·lō·hîm) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative blessed וַיְבָ֤רֶךְ (way·ḇā·reḵ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1288.htm">Strong's 1288: </a> To kneel, to bless God, man, to curse the seventh הַשְּׁבִיעִ֔י (haš·šə·ḇî·‘î) Article | Number - ordinal masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7637.htm">Strong's 7637: </a> Seventh (an ordinal number) day י֣וֹם (yō·wm) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> A day and sanctified וַיְקַדֵּ֖שׁ (way·qad·dêš) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6942.htm">Strong's 6942: </a> To be set apart or consecrated it, אֹת֑וֹ (’ō·ṯōw) Direct object marker | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_853.htm">Strong's 853: </a> Untranslatable mark of the accusative case because כִּ֣י (kî) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction on [that day] ב֤וֹ (ḇōw) Preposition | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> He rested שָׁבַת֙ (šā·ḇaṯ) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7673.htm">Strong's 7673: </a> To repose, desist from exertion from all מִכָּל־ (mik·kāl) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every the work מְלַאכְתּ֔וֹ (mə·laḵ·tōw) Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4399.htm">Strong's 4399: </a> Deputyship, ministry, employment, work, property of creation בָּרָ֥א (bā·rā) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1254.htm">Strong's 1254: </a> To create, to cut down, select, feed that אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-) Pronoun - relative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that [He] אֱלֹהִ֖ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative had accomplished. לַעֲשֽׂוֹת׃ (la·‘ă·śō·wṯ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> To do, make <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/2-3.htm">Genesis 2:3 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/genesis/2-3.htm">Genesis 2:3 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/genesis/2-3.htm">Genesis 2:3 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/genesis/2-3.htm">Genesis 2:3 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/genesis/2-3.htm">Genesis 2:3 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/2-3.htm">Genesis 2:3 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/2-3.htm">Genesis 2:3 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/2-3.htm">Genesis 2:3 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/2-3.htm">Genesis 2:3 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/genesis/2-3.htm">Genesis 2:3 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/genesis/2-3.htm">OT Law: Genesis 2:3 God blessed the seventh day and made (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/2-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 2:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 2:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/2-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 2:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 2:4" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>