SPECIAL TOPIC: SABBATH (BDB 991) This is from the Hebrew word
(BDB 992) meaning "rest" or "cessation." It is connected to the
seventh day of creation where God ceased His labor after
finishing initial creation (cf. Gen. 2:1-3). God did not rest
because He was tired, but because (1) creation was complete and
good (cf. Gen. 1:31) and (2) to give mankind a regular pattern
for worship and rest. The usage as a day of worship starts with
Gen. 2:2-3, where YHWH uses His rest as a pattern for animals
(cf. Exod. 23:12) and mankind (humans need a regular schedule of
work, rest, and worship). The Sabbath begins like all the days
of Genesis 1, at twilight; therefore, twilight on Friday to
twilight on Saturday was the official time period. All the
details of its observance are given in Exodus (especially
chapters 16,20,31, and 35) and Leviticus (especially chapters
23-26). The first specialized use of this day by Israel was in
Exod. 16:25-26 in the gathering of manna. It then becomes part
of "the Ten Words" (cf. Exod. 20: