Are any of the Ten Commandments strictly Jewish? Some would like to think that at least one was, the Sabbath day. Let us consider this question.
First we see that the Sabbath was given back in the Garden of Eden not only before there were any Jews but before sin had even entered the picture. Who founded the Jewish religion? Abraham. The starting of Judaism is described in Genesis 17, where Abram makes a covenant with God, and his name is changed to Abraham.
Who was the first to be called “Jew”? In the days of Abraham, the term “Jew” was not used. Instead, you see the term “Hebrew” (“Israelite” only appears after Jacob changed his name to Israel).
The term “Jew” didn’t arise until after the Syro-Ephraimite wars of 735-721 BCE, when the tribe of Judah became the dominant tribe. So we see that the Sabbath was declared by God way before the Jews came along.
If we look at the fourth commandment itself it mentions that the “stranger” [Gentile] shall also keep the day Holy [see Exodus 20:8-11]. And in the New Testament we see that the Christian Gentiles were keeping the day. [see Acts 13:42,44,46]
Finally, we see that even on the New Earth where people from every tribe, nation, and tongue will be worshiping God will also be keeping the Sabbath day Holy. [see Isaiah 66:22,23]
Why? What is the Sabbath anyways? In the Bible we find that when important people sealed legal documents such as in 1st Kings 21:8, Es. 3:12, Dan. 6:8 the seals contained three important aspects.
1-Person’s Name [example would be, George Washington]
2-Official Position [example; President]
3-His Kingdom – Extent of Jurisdiction [example; The united States]
Only in the Sabbath commandment do we find God’s name, His position, “Creator”, and the extent of His domain, “Heaven” & “Earth”.
This commandment also contains the most words. It is indeed part of God’s seal! “Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples.”[Isaiah 8:16]
The Sabbath is thus the seal of God’s creative and sanctifying power which is exercised through the Holy Spirit. The fourth commandment was not ment to point forward but to point back, back to our Creator and to creation itself.
The ceremonial sabbaths along with the “promised land” pointed forward to our spiritual rest in Jesus Christ. Though it is true that the Seventh Day Sabbath has the “rest” of Jesus Christ written all over it also! The “seventh day” Sabbath is a day to remember; Creation, Our sanctification to Truth, and our Rest in Christ Jesus. The fourth commandment of the decalogue is not ceremonial but moral!
Written by, Eric W. King [May 21,2007]
More articles by Eric William King regarding God’s Holy Sabbath Day:
The Richness of Sabbath Observance
Eric debates the Sabbath question with an Evangelical Christian
Jesus broke the Pharisees Sabbath
For the ultimate and most comprehensive Christian SDA site online visit;
AdventistWay 
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