(Heb. verb shabbath, meaning "to rest from labour"), the day of
rest. It is first mentioned as having been instituted in
Paradise, when man was in innocence ( Genesis 2:2 ). "The
sabbath was made for man," as a day of rest and refreshment for
the body and of blessing to the soul. It is next referred to in
connection with the gift of manna to the children of Israel in
the wilderness ( Exodus 16:23 ); and afterwards, when the law
was given from Sinai ( 20:11 ), the people were solemnly charged
to "remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy." Thus it is
spoken of as an institution already existing. In the subsequent
history of the Jews frequent references are made to the sanctity
of the Sabbath ( Isaiah 56:2 Isaiah 56:4 Isaiah 56:6 Isaiah 56:7
; Isaiah 58:13 Isaiah 58:14 ; Jeremiah 17:20-22 ; Nehemiah 13:19
). In later times they perverted the Sabbath by their
traditions. Our Lord rescued it from their perversions, and
recalled to them its true nature and intent ( Matthew 12:10-13 ;
Mark 2:27 ; Luke 13:10-17 ). T