Sabbath Day’s Journey
Summary
The maximum distance Jews were permitted to travel on the Sabbath, traditionally fixed at about 2,000 cubits or roughly three-quarters of a mile.
☩Origin of the Limit
The law contained no specific distance limitation; Moses simply commanded, 'Let no man go out of his place on the seventh day.' Jewish tradition fixed the limit at 2,000 cubits (about five furlongs) based on Joshua 3:4, where Israelites were commanded to keep this distance from the ark. It was reasoned that if this distance was traveled to worship at the tabernacle, the same was permissible on the Sabbath.
☩Practical Application
The distance was measured from the gate of the city, not from one's own house. The Mount of Olives was described as 'a sabbath day's journey' from Jerusalem, indicating this was a well-known measure. Jesus may have referred to this custom when He warned disciples to pray their flight from Jerusalem would not be 'on the sabbath day.'
Related Verses1 mention
Acts· 1 verse
References
- 1.George Morrish, "Sabbath-day's Journey," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 2.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Sabbath Day's Journey," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 3.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Sabbath Day's Journey," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 4.John Kitto, "Sabbath-Day's Journey," in A Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature, vol. II (Mark H. Newman, 1845).
- 5.George Morrish, "Sabbath-day's Journey," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).