Word Studies¶

Question¶

Is the seventh-day Sabbath still binding today? Strong's research for all 15 listed numbers.

G4521 -- sabbaton (Greek "Sabbath")¶

Original: sabbaton Transliteration: sab'-bat-on Part of Speech: Neuter noun Definition: Of Hebrew origin (H7676); the Sabbath (i.e., Shabbath), or day of weekly rest. Occurrences: 68 in NT

Key Verses¶

Mat 12:1, 2, 8, 12; 24:20; 28:1
Mrk 1:21; 2:23, 27; 3:2, 4; 6:2; 15:42; 16:1, 2, 9
Luk 4:16, 31; 6:5, 7, 9; 13:14, 16; 14:1, 3, 5; 18:12; 23:56; 24:1
Jhn 5:9, 16, 18; 7:22; 9:16; 19:31; 20:1, 19
Act 1:12; 13:14, 27, 44; 15:21; 16:13; 17:2; 18:4; 20:7
1Co 16:2
Col 2:16

Significance for This Study¶

sabbaton is the central NT term for the Sabbath. It appears in every Acts passage documenting apostolic Sabbath practice. Used in Col 2:16 in the ceremonial triad (feast/new moon/sabbath).

G4520 -- sabbatismos (Sabbath-keeping)¶

Original: sabbatismos Transliteration: sab-bat-is-mos' Part of Speech: Masculine noun Definition: A "sabbatism," i.e., the practice of Sabbath rest/observance. Occurrences: 1 (hapax legomenon)

Key Verse¶

Heb 4:9 -- "There remaineth therefore a sabbatismos to the people of God."

Significance for This Study¶

This is the single most important word in this study. The author of Hebrews uses katapausis (G2663, "rest") 8 times in Heb 3-4, then SWITCHES to sabbatismos in v.9 only. The -ismos suffix in Greek denotes practice/observance (compare baptismos = practice of baptizing). This deliberate word change from generic "rest" to specific "Sabbath-keeping" is significant. Combined with the present passive verb apoleipetai (G620, "is currently remaining"), the verse states that a practice of Sabbath-keeping is currently remaining for the people of God.

G1486 -- etho/eiothos (custom/habit)¶

Original: etho Transliteration: eth'-o Part of Speech: Verb Definition: A primary verb; to be used (by habit or conventionality); neuter. Occurrences: 4

Key Verses¶

Mat 27:15 (Pilate's custom to release a prisoner)
Mrk 10:1 (as Jesus was wont/accustomed)
Luk 4:16 -- "as his custom was [kata to eiothos], he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day"
Act 17:2 -- "Paul, as his manner was [kata to eiothos], went in unto them"

Significance for This Study¶

Luke uses the IDENTICAL construction kata to eiothos (Perfect Active Participle) for both Jesus (Luk 4:16) and Paul (Acts 17:2). Same author, same grammatical form. The Perfect tense indicates a settled, completed habit with ongoing results. This connects Paul's Sabbath practice directly to Jesus's pattern.

H7676 -- shabbath (Hebrew "sabbath")¶

Original: shabbath Transliteration: shab-bawth' Part of Speech: Masculine/Feminine noun Definition: Intensive from H7673 (shabath); intermission, i.e., specifically the Sabbath. Occurrences: 108

Key Verses¶

Exo 16:23-29; 20:8-11; 31:13-17; 35:2
Lev 16:31; 19:3, 30; 23:3, 11, 15, 32, 38; 24:8; 25:2-8; 26:2, 34, 35
Deu 5:12-15
Isa 1:13; 56:2, 4, 6; 58:13; 66:23
Jer 17:21-27
Eze 20:12, 13, 16, 20, 21, 24; 22:8; 44:24; 46:1

Significance for This Study¶

Core OT Sabbath term. Distinguished from shabbathown (H7677) in Lev 23 -- the weekly Sabbath uses shabbath shabbathown (double form) while most feast rest days use shabbathown alone. In Lev 23:38, the "sabbaths of the LORD" (shabbetot YHWH) are explicitly separated from the feasts by millibad.

H7677 -- shabbathown (sabbatism/rest)¶

Original: shabbathown Transliteration: shab-baw-thone' Part of Speech: Masculine noun Definition: From H7676; a sabbatism or special holiday; rest, sabbath. Occurrences: 11

Key Verses¶

Exo 16:23; 31:15; 35:2
Lev 16:31; 23:3, 24, 32, 39; 25:4, 5

Significance for This Study¶

Used for both the weekly Sabbath (Lev 23:3, shabbath shabbathown) and ceremonial rest days (Lev 23:24, 39, shabbathown alone). The vocabulary distribution in Lev 23 shows a pattern: days with the double form (shabbath shabbathown) have the "all work" prohibition; days with shabbathown alone have the "servile work" prohibition.

G2663 -- katapausis (rest)¶

Original: katapausis Transliteration: kat-ap'-ow-sis Part of Speech: Feminine noun Definition: From G2664; reposing down, i.e., (by Hebraism) abode; rest. Occurrences: 9

Key Verses¶

Psa 94:11; 95:11
Act 7:49
Heb 3:11, 18; 4:1, 3, 5, 10

Significance for This Study¶

Used 8 times in Heb 3-4 for "rest" in the general sense. The author deliberately switches to sabbatismos (G4520) in Heb 4:9, indicating a purposeful distinction. katapausis = generic rest; sabbatismos = specific Sabbath-keeping practice.

G620 -- apoleipo (to leave remaining)¶

Original: apoleipo Transliteration: ap-ol-ipe'-o Part of Speech: Verb Definition: From G575 and G3007; to leave behind (passively, remain). Occurrences: 6

Key Verses¶

2Ti 4:13, 20 (left behind at Troas/Miletus)
Tit 1:5 (left in Crete)
Heb 4:6, 9 (remaineth)
Heb 10:26 (remaineth no more sacrifice)
Jude 1:6 (left their own habitation)

Significance for This Study¶

In Heb 4:9, apoleipetai is Present Passive Indicative -- "is currently being left remaining." The present tense indicates an ongoing state. The passive voice indicates something done TO the sabbatismos (it is left remaining by God). Combined with sabbatismos: "A Sabbath-keeping is currently remaining for the people of God."

G4639 -- skia (shadow)¶

Original: skia Transliteration: skee'-ah Part of Speech: Feminine noun Definition: Apparently a primary word; "shade" or a shadow (literally or figuratively). Occurrences: 7

Key Verses¶

Isa 9:1; Eze 17:23 (literal shadow/shade)
Mat 4:16; Luk 1:79 (shadow of death -- metaphorical)
Mrk 4:32; Act 5:15 (literal shadow)
Col 2:17 -- "which are a shadow of things to come"
Heb 8:5 -- "who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things"
Heb 10:1 -- "the law having a shadow of good things to come"

Significance for This Study¶

skia in all three NT theological uses (Col 2:17; Heb 8:5; Heb 10:1) is applied to the ceremonial system -- never to the Decalogue. The weekly Sabbath uses zakar ("remember," pointing backward to creation), not skia (pointing forward to Christ). These are opposite temporal directions.

H2142 -- zakar (remember)¶

Original: zakar Transliteration: zaw-kar' Part of Speech: Verb Definition: A primitive root; properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; also to be male. Occurrences: 233

Key Verses¶

Exo 20:8 -- "Remember [zakar, Infinitive Absolute] the sabbath day, to keep it holy"
Exo 13:3 -- "Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt"
Deu 5:15 -- "Remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt"
Deu 8:2 -- "thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee"

Significance for This Study¶

zakar is the quintessential MEMORIAL verb in the OT. It always looks BACKWARD to a completed past event. The Fourth Commandment opens with zakar in the Infinitive Absolute (the most emphatic Hebrew verb form), pointing backward to creation. A memorial commemorates a past event; a shadow (skia) anticipates a future event. The Sabbath is a zakar institution (memorial), not a skia institution (shadow).

G1785 -- entole (commandment)¶

Original: entole Transliteration: en-tol-ay' Part of Speech: Feminine noun Definition: From G1781; injunction, i.e., an authoritative prescription. Occurrences: 71

Key Verses¶

Luk 23:56 -- "rested the sabbath day according to the commandment [kata ten entolen]"
Rev 14:12 -- "they that keep the commandments [entolas] of God, and the faith of Jesus"
Rev 12:17 -- "which keep the commandments [entolas] of God, and have the testimony of Jesus"
Rev 22:14 -- "Blessed are they that do his commandments [entolas]"
1Co 7:19 -- "the keeping of the commandments [entolon] of God"
Rom 7:8-12 -- "the commandment [entole]...holy, and just, and good"
Jhn 14:15 -- "If ye love me, keep my commandments [entolas]"

Significance for This Study¶

entole (unqualified, with "of God") consistently refers to the moral law / Decalogue in the NT. In Luk 23:56, Luke calls the Sabbath "the commandment" (entole) AFTER the crucifixion. In Revelation, end-time saints are defined by keeping "the commandments of God" (entolas tou theou). The Sabbath is the Fourth Commandment.

H5769 -- olam (perpetual/everlasting)¶

Original: olam Transliteration: o-lawm' Part of Speech: Masculine noun Definition: From H5956; properly concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind; practically, eternity; perpetual, everlasting, forever. Occurrences: 439

Key Verses¶

Exo 31:16 -- "a perpetual covenant [berit olam]"
Exo 31:17 -- "a sign...for ever [le-olam]"
Psa 111:7-8 -- "all his commandments are sure. They stand fast for ever and ever [le-ad le-olam]"
Psa 119:89 -- "For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven"
Psa 119:152 -- "Concerning thy testimonies...thou hast founded them for ever [le-olam]"

Significance for This Study¶

The Sabbath is designated as berit olam ("perpetual covenant") in Exo 31:16 and as "a sign...for ever" (le-olam) in Exo 31:17. The creation rationale ties the olam designation to the fixed creation event, not to a temporary ceremonial arrangement.

G4864 -- synagoge (synagogue)¶

Original: synagoge Transliteration: soon-ag-o-gay' Part of Speech: Feminine noun Definition: From G4863; an assemblage of persons; specifically a Jewish "synagogue." Occurrences: 57

Key Verses¶

Luk 4:16 -- Jesus's custom was synagogue on the Sabbath
Act 13:5, 14, 42, 43 -- Paul in synagogues on the Sabbath
Act 14:1; 15:21; 17:1, 10, 17; 18:4, 7, 19, 26; 19:8

Significance for This Study¶

The synagogue was the standard venue for Sabbath worship in the apostolic period. Paul's pattern was to enter the synagogue on the Sabbath day wherever he went. Acts 15:21 assumes ongoing Sabbath synagogue attendance as normative.

H226 -- oth (sign)¶

Original: oth Transliteration: oth Part of Speech: Feminine noun Definition: A signal (literally or figuratively), as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence; mark, miracle, sign, token. Occurrences: 79

Key Verses¶

Gen 1:14 -- luminaries for "signs" (otot) and seasons
Gen 9:12, 13, 17 -- rainbow as "sign" of the covenant
Gen 17:11 -- circumcision as "sign" of the covenant
Exo 31:13 -- "it is a sign [oth] between me and you throughout your generations"
Exo 31:17 -- "It is a sign [oth] between me and the children of Israel for ever"
Eze 20:12 -- "I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign [oth] between me and them"
Eze 20:20 -- "hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign [oth] between me and you"

Significance for This Study¶

The Sabbath is designated as an oth (sign) between God and His people, indicating identity and relationship. The sign function connects to who God is ("that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you," Exo 31:13). The creation rationale (Exo 31:17) grounds the sign in God's identity as Creator.

H6942 -- qadash (to sanctify)¶

Original: qadash Transliteration: kaw-dash' Part of Speech: Verb Definition: A primitive root; to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally); appoint, consecrate, dedicate, hallow, sanctify. Occurrences: 172

Key Verses¶

Gen 2:3 -- "God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified [qadash] it"
Exo 20:8 -- "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy [qadash]"
Exo 20:11 -- "the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed [qadash] it"
Exo 31:13 -- "that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify [qadash] you"
Eze 20:12 -- "that they might know that I am the LORD that sanctify [qadash] them"

Significance for This Study¶

God performed three actions on the seventh day at creation: He rested (shabath), blessed (barakh), and sanctified (qadash). qadash means to set apart as holy. This was done at creation, before sin, before Israel, before any ceremonial system. The same verb is used both for what God did to the Sabbath day and what God does to His people.

G752 -- archisynagogos (ruler of the synagogue)¶

Original: archisynagogos Transliteration: ar-khee-soon-ag'-o-gos Part of Speech: Masculine noun Definition: From G746 and G4864; director of the synagogue services. Occurrences: 9

Key Verses¶

Mrk 5:22, 35, 38 (Jairus)
Luk 8:49; 13:14
Act 13:15; 18:8, 17

Significance for This Study¶

The archisynagogos (synagogue ruler) is the one who invites speakers on the Sabbath (Acts 13:15). In Luk 13:14, the synagogue ruler objects to Jesus healing on the Sabbath -- demonstrating the exesti ("is it lawful?") framework that presupposes the Sabbath's legal force. In Acts 18:8, Crispus the archisynagogos believes, showing Jewish Sabbath leaders coming to faith within the Sabbath-worship setting.

Greek Parsing for Key Verses¶

Acts 17:2 -- kata to eiothos, sabbata¶

eiothos (G1486): Perfect Active Participle, Accusative Singular Neuter -- settled, completed habit
sabbata (G4521): Accusative Plural Neuter -- sabbaths
Same construction as Luke 4:16 (kata to eiothos for Jesus)

Acts 18:4 -- kata pan sabbaton¶

kata pan sabbaton: "every sabbath" (distributive kata + pan + Accusative Singular Neuter)
dielegeto (G1256): Imperfect Middle/Passive Indicative -- "was reasoning" (ongoing repeated action)
epeithen (G3982): Imperfect Active Indicative -- "was persuading" (ongoing)
Ioudaious kai Hellenas: "Jews AND Greeks" -- both groups present

Hebrews 4:9 -- apoleipetai sabbatismos¶

apoleipetai (G620): Present Passive Indicative, 3rd Singular -- "is currently being left remaining"
sabbatismos (G4520): Nominative Singular Masculine -- "a Sabbath-keeping" (hapax legomenon)
to lao tou theou: "for the people of God" (Dative of advantage)

Luke 23:56 -- kata ten entolen¶

hesychasan (G2270): Aorist Active Indicative, 3rd Plural -- "they rested"
kata ten entolen (G1785): "according to THE commandment" (Accusative Singular Feminine with article -- specific, definite commandment)

Matthew 24:20 -- sabbato¶

proseuchesthe (G4336): Present Middle/Passive Imperative, 2nd Plural -- "keep praying" (ongoing command)
sabbato (G4521): Dative Singular Neuter -- "on a Sabbath"
Note: Present imperative = ongoing, repeated action. Jesus commands continued prayer about the Sabbath.

Hebrew Parsing for Key Verses¶

Isaiah 66:23 -- shabbat beshabbatto¶

middei (from + sufficiency): distributive idiom "every time of"
shabbat (H7676): sabbath (Noun, singular, Absolute)
beshabbatto: "in its sabbath" (Noun, singular, Absolute + 3ms suffix)
Idiom: "from sabbath to its sabbath" = "every week"
yavo' (H935): "shall come" (Qal Imperfect 3ms -- future habitual action)
kol-basar: "all flesh" (universal scope)
lehishtachawot: "to bow down/worship" (Hishtaphel Infinitive Construct)

Exodus 31:16 -- berit olam¶

weshamru (H8104): "and they shall keep" (Qal Perfect 3p -- completed certainty)
et-hashabbat: "the sabbath" (with definite article)
la'asot: "to observe/do" (Qal Infinitive Construct)
ledorotam: "throughout their generations" (+ 3mp suffix)
berit (H1285): covenant (Noun, fs, Construct)
olam (H5769): eternity/perpetual (Noun, ms, Absolute)
Full phrase: berit olam = "a perpetual/everlasting covenant"

Ezekiel 20:12 -- oth (sign) + meqaddesh (sanctify)¶

shabbetotay: "my sabbaths" (Noun, fp, Absolute + 1us suffix -- God's possessive)
natatti: "I gave" (Qal Perfect 1s)
le'ot (H226): "for a sign" (Noun, singular, Absolute)
beni ubenehem: "between me and between them"
lada'at: "to know" (Qal Infinitive Construct)
ki ani YHWH: "that I [am] the LORD"
meqaddesham (H6942): "who sanctifies them" (Piel Participle, ms + 3mp suffix -- ongoing sanctifying action)

Research gathered: 2026-02-26