Sabbath in Egypt?: An Examination of Exodus 5
This study presents indicators from the narrative of Exodus 5, which in their entirety may suggest the notion of Sabbath rest among the Israelite slaves in Egypt. One such indicator is the verb shabbat, ‘to cease’, a verb that marks the seventh day of the creation week with the quality of divine Sab...
| Published in: | Journal for the study of the Old Testament |
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| Main Author: | |
| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Sage
2015
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| In: |
Journal for the study of the Old Testament
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| Further subjects: | B
Slavery
B Rest B Egypt B Work B Sabbath B Exodus B Freedom |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| Parallel Edition: | Electronic
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| Summary: | This study presents indicators from the narrative of Exodus 5, which in their entirety may suggest the notion of Sabbath rest among the Israelite slaves in Egypt. One such indicator is the verb shabbat, ‘to cease’, a verb that marks the seventh day of the creation week with the quality of divine Sabbath rest. Its particular form and use in Exod. 5.5 entails various semantic notions, such as the indication that the Israelites ceased from their slave labors regularly. In addition, contextual, structural, and discourse elements allow for a reading that is indeed telling with regard to the Israelites’ social status and the impact of a possible Sabbath cessation under an oppressive regime. Finally, certain verbal expressions link with Sabbath texts of the Pentateuch such as Exod. 23.12, a Sabbath text that is embedded in the exodus narratives of slavery and freedom. All these indicators when taken together allow for a Sabbath-motivated reading of Exodus 5. The implications of such a reading tell of a world that longs for freedom, restored identities, and renewed relationships. |
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| ISSN: | 1476-6728 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Journal for the study of the Old Testament
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1177/0309089215577580 |