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.