Leviticus 19:30 — Word Study
WLCאֶת־ שַׁבְּתֹתַ֣י תִּשְׁמֹ֔רוּ וּמִקְדָּשִׁ֖י תִּירָ֑אוּ אֲנִ֖י יְהוָֽה׃
BSAYou must keepshâmar▸ [observe, honor, and obey] My Sabbathsshabbâth [days of rest and worship] and have reverence foryârêʼ▸ [show, demonstrate, deep respect, awe] My sanctuarymiqdâsh [holy place, sacred space] Iʼănîy am the LORDYᵉhôvâh [the one true God, Yehovah, the supreme Ruler, Yehovah]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| אֶת־ | the object marker | Particle |
| שַׁבְּתֹתַ֣י | sabbaths my | Noun common feminine plural construct, suffix |
| תִּשְׁמֹ֔רוּ | you will keep | Verb, Qal, imperfect second person masculine plural |
| וּמִקְדָּשִׁ֖י | and sanctuary my | Conjunction, noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| תִּירָ֑אוּ | you will fear | Verb, Qal, imperfect second person masculine plural |
| אֲנִ֖י | I | Pronoun |
| יְהוָֽה׃ | [am] Yahweh | Noun proper |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | You must keep My Sabbaths and have reverence for My sanctuary. I am the LORD. |
| KJV | ¶ Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am the LORD. |
| ASV | Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am Jehovah. |
| YLT | 'My sabbaths ye do keep, and My sanctuary ye do reverence; I [am] Jehovah. |
| WEB | “‘You shall keep my Sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary; I am Yahweh. |
| BBE | Keep my Sabbaths and have respect for my holy place: I am the Lord. |
Where they part company is in the rendering of יְהוָֽה — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence has a straightforward structure, with a main command followed by a subordinate clause and a concluding statement of God's identity.
7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectאֲנִי
verbשָׁמַר
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Leviticus 19:30
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — God's Commands for Holy Livinggenerated
Leviticus 19:30 is part of a larger section where God instructs the Israelites on how to live holy lives. These commands emphasize the importance of observing the Sabbath and respecting the sacred spaces dedicated to God. This reflects the broader theme of holiness in the book of Leviticus, where the Israelites are called to be distinct and set apart as God's chosen people.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leviticus 19:3 | Each of you must respect his mother and father, and you must keep My Sabbaths. I am the LORD your God. |
| 2 | Leviticus 26:2 | You must keep My Sabbaths and have reverence for My sanctuary. I am the LORD. |
| 3 | Leviticus 10:3 | Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the LORD meant when He said: ‘To those who come near Me I will show My holiness, and in the sight of all the people I will reveal My glory.’” But Aaron remained silent. |
| 4 | Leviticus 15:31 | You must keep the children of Israel separate from their uncleanness, so that they do not die by defiling My tabernacle, which is among them. |
| 5 | Leviticus 16:2 | And the LORD said to Moses: “Tell your brother Aaron not to enter freely into the Most Holy Place behind the veil in front of the mercy seat on the ark, or else he will die, because I appear in the cloud above the mercy seat. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 15 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — שַׁבְּתֹתַי, sha.be.to.Taigenerated
The word שַׁבָּת (shabbath) refers specifically to the Sabbath, a day of rest and worship. It is derived from a root meaning 'intermission' and signifies a cessation from work, dedicated to spiritual renewal and reflection.
In this verse, it is used in the construct form with a suffix, indicating possession: 'My Sabbaths'. This shows that the Sabbath is not just a day off, but a sacred time commanded by God for His people to observe.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The translations agree on the command to keep the Sabbaths and reverence the sanctuary.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb is תִּשְׁמֹ֔רוּ (tishmeru), meaning 'you will keep', which governs the first part of the verse. The second part of the verse introduces another verb, תִּירָ֑אוּ (tirau), meaning 'you will fear'.
The structure emphasizes the commands given by God, with two main actions: keeping the Sabbaths and fearing the sanctuary. The sentence is straightforward, presenting these commands in a clear and direct manner.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew words are translated with φυλάχεσθε for 'you will keep' and φοβηθήσεσθε for 'you will fear'. This choice reflects a similar emphasis on the importance of observing God's commands.
The Greek rendering captures the essence of the Hebrew commands, maintaining the focus on the action required from the people of Israel.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Leviticus 19:30 instructs the Israelites to keep the Sabbath and show reverence for God's sanctuary. This reflects the importance of these practices in their worship and relationship with God.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
To keep the Sabbaths means to observe them as days of rest and worship, dedicated to God, as commanded in the Scriptures.
Reverence for the sanctuary signifies respect for God's presence and the sacredness of the space where He is worshipped.
While the specific observance of the Sabbath may vary, the principles of rest and reverence for God remain relevant in our worship and daily lives.
When God identifies Himself as 'the LORD', He emphasizes His sovereignty and unique relationship with His people.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- How can I incorporate a day of rest into my weekly routine, similar to the Sabbath?
- In what ways can I show reverence for God's presence in my life?
- What practices help me to remember the holiness of God and His commands?
- How does understanding the Sabbath deepen my relationship with God?
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Leviticus 19:30 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleYe shall keep my sabbaths,.... By attending to the worship and service of God on sabbath days, they and their children would be preserved from the idolatry of the Gentiles, and all the filthy
Read John Gill on Leviticus 19 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryYe shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am the LORD. Keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary.
Read Robert Jamieson on Leviticus 19 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleNot presuming to approach it without reverence, or with any kind of uncleanness upon you.
Read Matthew Poole on Leviticus 19 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsLeviticus 19:30 Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I [am] the LORD.Ver. 30. Ye shall keep my Sabbaths.] Twice in this chapter is this commanded, that it may be the better remembered: and that men may know that it is not enough to rest on that day, but that rest must be sanctified by a reverent resorting to the sanctuary, and not profaned by running into whorehouses and tippling houses, as in Germany; where Alfred complains and says, that if the Sabbath day should be named according to many men’ s observing of it, Daemoniacus potius quam Dominicus vocaretur. And reverence my sanctuary.] Come we must into the places of God’ s worship, with an inward awe and fear of his…
Read John Trapp on Leviticus 19 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(30) Ye shall keep my sabbaths.—The greatest safeguard against the above-named abomination, and the surest way to fulfil the Divine commands, is by keeping the Sabbath day, and following the instruction imparted on this day of rest. (See Leviticus 19:3.) And reverence my sanctuary—which the Israelites frequented on the Sabbath. (See Exodus 35:3.) The way to reverence the sanctuary, according to the definition of the Jewish canonists, was for an Israelite not to come into the sanctuary when legally defiled, not to ascend the mountain of the house of God with his staff in his hand, with his shoes on his feet, in his working clothes, with the dust on his feet, or carrying bags of money about…
Read Charles John Ellicott on Leviticus 19 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges30. Ye shall keep my sabbaths] Cp. Leviticus 19:3.
Read Cambridge on Leviticus 19 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible30. Sanctuary — The tabernacle, the place of Jehovah’s abode among men, was reverenced when Israel approached in ceremonial and moral purity, bringing the required offerings in humility and penitence.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Leviticus 19 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
You must keep My Sabbaths and have reverence for My sanctuary. I am the LORD.
“‘You shall keep my Sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary; I am Yahweh.
You must keep My Sabbaths and have reverence for My sanctuary. I am the LORD.
“‘You must keep my Sabbaths and fear my sanctuary. I am the Lord.
Tyndale line
¶ Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am the LORD.
Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am Jehovah.
Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am the LORD.
Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am the LORD.
Ye shall keepe my Sabbaths and reuerence my Sanctuarie: I am the Lord.
Strictly literal
— My sabbaths shall ye keep, and my sanctuary shall ye reverence: I am Jehovah.
'My sabbaths ye do keep, and My sanctuary ye do reverence; I [am] Jehovah.
You keep My Sabbaths and you revere My sanctuary; I [am] YHWH.
My sabbaths shall ye keep, and my sanctuary shall ye reverence: I am the Lord.
You must keep my Sabbaths and honor the sanctuary of my tabernacle. I am Yahweh.
From the Latin
Keep ye my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary. I am the Lord.
Simplified
Keep my Sabbaths and show respect for my sanctuary. I am the Lord.
Keep my Sabbaths and have respect for my holy place: I am the Lord.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text is supported by the Samaritan Pentateuch, which agrees word for word. The Septuagint matches six of the seven words from the Masoretic Text, indicating a strong consistency in the transmission of this verse, despite some differences in word order.
אֶת־ שַׁבְּתֹתַ֣י תִּשְׁמֹ֔רוּ וּמִקְדָּשִׁ֖י תִּירָ֑אוּ אֲנִ֖י יְהוָֽה׃
6 of the 7 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
את שׁבתתי תשׁמרו ומקדשׁי תיראו אני יהוה
Agrees with the Masoretic Text here, word for word.
[ומקדש׳י] תיראו [אני] [יהוה]
4 words of the verse are on this fragment — 1 partly restored, 3 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Leviticus 19:30
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).
אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
base
H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
853 'eth ayth
apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of
entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more
definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or
namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).
see HEBREW for 0226
אֵת (et) — [Obj.].
sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative
Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
HTo — ParticleHTo
שַׁבָּת (shabbath) refers to the Sabbath, a day of rest observed weekly, as well as the Day of Atonement and the sabbath year. It may also denote a week or the produce that grows during the sabbath year. The word is derived from a root meaning 'intermission.'
שַׁבָּת 111 n.f. and m. Sabbath
sabbath
day of atonement
sabbath year
= week (?)
= produce in sabbath year (growing of itself)
base
H7676 שַׁבָּת Sabbath . sabbath
. day of atonement
. sabbath year
. = week (?)
. = produce in sabbath year (growing of itself)
7676 shabbath shab-bawth'
intensive from 7673; intermission, i.e (specifically) the
Sabbath:--(+ every) sabbath.
see HEBREW for 07673
שַׁבָּת (shab.bat) — Sabbath.
Sabbath
1a) sabbath
1b) day of atonement
1c) sabbath year
1d) week
1e) produce (in sabbath year)
N-cp | Suff — Noun common feminine plural construct · suffixHNcfpc/Sp1bs
The Hebrew word שָׁמַר (*shamar*) is a primitive root meaning to keep, guard, or observe. It encompasses a wide range of actions including protecting, waiting for, and celebrating obligations like the Sabbath. The verb appears in various forms, indicating nuances such as being on guard or refraining from certain actions. It is used extensively in the Old Testament, reflecting both physical and moral vigilance.
שָׁמַר 465 vb. keep, watch, preserve
Qal 425
keep, have charge of
keep, guard, captives
hence, watch for, wait for
watch, observe
keep, retain, of storing up (food)
keep within bounds, restrain
observe, celebrate
keep sabbath
of other obligations
observe = follow dictates of (prudence, justice, kindness, wisdom)
sts. י׳ subj.
keep, reserve, weeks of harvest
Niph.
36be on one's guard
keep oneself, refrain, abstain
be kept, guarded
Pi. those paying regard to false vanities
Hithp. I kept myself from
base
H8104 שָׁמַר keep, watch, preserve .. . keep, have charge of
. keep, guard, captives
. hence, watch for, wait for
. watch, observe
. . keep, retain, of storing up (food)
. keep within bounds, restrain
. . observe, celebrate
. keep sabbath
. of other obligations
. observe = follow dictates of (prudence, justice, kindness, wisdom)
. sts. י׳ subj.
. keep, reserve, weeks of harvest
. . be on one's guard
. keep oneself, refrain, abstain
. be kept, guarded
. those paying regard to false vanities
. I kept myself from
8104 shamar shaw-mar'
a primitive root; properly, to hedge about (as with thorns),
i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.:--beward,
be circumspect, take heed (to self), keep(-er, self), mark,
look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save
(self), sure, (that lay) wait (for), watch(-man).
שָׁמַר (sha.mar) — to keep: obey.
: obey/observe
1) to keep, guard, observe, give heed
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to keep, have charge of
1a2) to keep, guard, keep watch and ward, protect, save life
1a2a) watch, watchman (participle)
1a3) to watch for, wait for
1a4) to watch, observe
1a5) to keep, retain, treasure up (in memory)
1a6) to keep (within bounds), restrain
1a7) to observe, celebrate, keep (sabbath or covenant or commands), perform (vow)
1a8) to keep, preserve, protect
1a9) to keep, reserve
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be on one's guard, take heed, take care, beware
1b2) to keep oneself, refrain, abstain
1b3) to be kept, be guarded
1c) (Piel) to keep, pay heed
1d) (Hithpael) to keep oneself from
שָׁמַר (sha.mar) — to keep: guard.
: guard
1) to keep, guard, observe, give heed
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to keep, have charge of
1a2) to keep, guard, keep watch and ward, protect, save life
1a2a) watch, watchman (participle)
V-Qal-Imperf-2mp — Verb · Qal · imperfect second person masculine pluralHVqi2mp
מִקְדָּשׁ (miqdash) refers to a sacred place or sanctuary, often associated with the temple or tabernacle of Jehovah. It can denote a consecrated space, including those dedicated to idols, and is derived from a root meaning to consecrate. The term encompasses various types of holy places, such as chapels and asylums.
מִקְדָּשׁ 74 n.m. sacred place, sanctuary
base
H4720 מִקְדָּשׁ sacred place, sanctuary
4720 miqdash mik-dawsh'
or miqqdash (Exod. 15:17) {mik-ked-awsh'}; from 6942; a
consecrated thing or place, especially, a palace, sanctuary
(whether of Jehovah or of idols) or asylum:--chapel, hallowed
part, holy place, sanctuary.
see HEBREW for 06942
מִקְדָּשׁ (miq.dash) — sanctuary.
1) sacred place, sanctuary, holy place
1a) sanctuary
1a1) of the temple
1a2) of the tabernacle
1a3) of Ezekiel's temple
1a4) of Jehovah
Conj | N-ms | Suff — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHC/Ncmsc/Sp1bs
יָרֵא (yare') is a Hebrew verb meaning to fear or be afraid, encompassing a range of meanings from reverence and honor to causing terror. It appears in various forms, including Qal (to fear), Niphal (to be fearful), and Piel (to terrify). The entries highlight its moral and emotional dimensions, emphasizing awe and respect, particularly in relation to the divine.
יָרֵא vb. fear
Qal
fear, be afraid
stand in awe of
fear, reverence, honour
Niph.
be fearful, dreadful
cause astonishment and awe
inspire reverence, godly fear, and awe
Piel. make afraid, terrify
base
H3372 יָרֵא fear .. fear, be afraid
. stand in awe of
. fear, reverence, honour
. . be fearful, dreadful
. cause astonishment and awe
. inspire reverence, godly fear, and awe
. make afraid, terrify
3372 yare' yaw-ray'
a primitive root; to fear; morally, to revere; caus. to
frighten:--affright, be (make) afraid, dread(-ful), (put in)
fear(-ful, -fully, -ing), (be had in) reverence(-end), X see,
terrible (act, -ness, thing).
יָרֵא (ya.re) — to fear.
: frightening(DANGER)
1) to fear, revere, be afraid
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to fear, be afraid
1a2) to stand in awe of, be awed
1a3) to fear, reverence, honour, respect
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be fearful, be dreadful, be feared
1b2) to cause astonishment and awe, be held in awe
1b3) to inspire reverence or godly fear or awe
1c) (Piel) to make afraid, terrify
2) (TWOT) to shoot, pour
יָרֵא (ya.re) — to fear: revere.
: awesome(god)
1) to fear, revere, be afraid
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to fear, be afraid
1a2) to stand in awe of, be awed
1a3) to fear, reverence, honour, respect
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be fearful, be dreadful, be feared
1b2) to cause astonishment and awe, be held in awe
1b3) to inspire reverence or godly fear or awe
1c) (Piel) to make afraid, terrify
2) (TWOT) to shoot, pour
Also means: ya.re (יָרֵא ": frightening" H3372)
V-Qal-Imperf-2mp — Verb · Qal · imperfect second person masculine pluralHVqi2mp
fer (yir'ah, yare'; phobos, phobeo):
Terms, etc.:
"Fear" is the translation of many words in the Old Testament; the chief are: yir'ah, "fear," "terror," "reverence," "awe," most often "the fear of God," "fear of Yahweh" (Ge 20:11; 2Ch 19:9, etc.); also of "fear" generally (Job 22:4; Isa 7:25; Eze 30:13, etc.); yare', "to be afraid," "to fear," "to reverence" (Ge 15:1; Le 19:3,14; De 6:2, etc.); pachadh, "fear," "terror," "dread" (
→ See COWARDICE
→ Also see FEAR OF GOD, below
אֲנִי, transliterated as aniy, is a first-person singular pronoun meaning 'I' or 'me.' It is often used for emphasis and can also imply possession, as in 'mine' or 'myself.' The word is derived from a form that indicates self-reference, and it appears in various contexts throughout the Old Testament.
אֲנִי, אָ֑נִי pron. 1s. comm. I
base
H589 אֲנִי, אָ֑נִי I
589 'aniy an-ee'
contracted from 595; I:--I, (as for) me, mine, myself, we, X
which, X who.
see HEBREW for 0595
אֲנִי (a.ni) — I.
I (first pers. sing. -usually used for emphasis)
Pron — PronounHPp1bs
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'
יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)
יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb
יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D
the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy
יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh
base
H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel
3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'
from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish
national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.
see HEBREW for 01961
see HEBREW for 03050
see HEBREW for 03069
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.
Jehovah = "the existing One"
1) the proper name of the one true God
1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.
Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.
Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
N-proper — Noun properHNpt