Exodus 20:8 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Remember the sabbath-day, &c.— Remember the day of rest, to keep it holy] "Let that day still, as usual, be considered as a day set apart and sanctified to my service;" (Jeremiah 21:14.) and that in such manner as follows; Exodus 20:9-10 and for the reason given, Exodus 20:11. The manner in which this commandment is introduced seems plainly to shew, that this was no new commandment; though one, certainly, of so high importance to religion, so just and reasonable in itself, that it well deserved to be placed in the first rank of the duties which men owe to GOD. It is also observable, that the reason assigned (Exodus 20:11.) for this law of the sabbath is not peculiar to the Jews, but appropriated to all mankind, who are equally concerned to commemorate the work of creation, and to adore the Almighty Creator. We have before delivered it as our opinion, that the sabbath, instituted from the very birth of the world, continued to be regularly observed by the people of GOD; see the notes on Genesis 2:3 and Exodus 16:23. We must not however dissemble, that some commentators understand the word remember in a different sense; observing, that the other commandments, carrying their own reason along with them, are delivered in a peremptory stile; but this, being a positive institution, is introduced with a remember: but, in answer to this, we might ask, whether the commandment to honour that GOD who has given us all our time, with some part of it, does not carry its own reason with it, as much as the prohibition of making any images or pictures to represent the Deity? It is very evident, when Moses repeats the law, Deuteronomy 5 and adds a new reason for the Israelites' observation of the sabbath; that he considers the keeping of the sabbath as a matter already well known and allowed; and certainly, in a moral view, no institution can be conceived more useful and humane, more advantageous to man, and more beneficial to all the true interests of religion. Houbigant observes, that "the word rendered remember is perfectly just here, because the sabbath had been from a long period held sacred, as many learned men remark. And we justly collect from the 11th verse (where we read that the Lord blessed the sabbath-day, and sanctified it) that the sabbath had been held sacred from the very infancy of the world."