Exodus 20:10

Shalt not do any work] such as gathering manna (see on Exodus 16:22), lighting a fire (Exodus 35:3), gathering sticks (Numbers 15:32), agricultural labour (cp. Exodus 34:21), carrying burdens (Nehemiah 13:15), buying and selling (Nehemiah 10:31). The Jewish legalists developed the negative side of this precept to such an extravagant and absurd extent that the sabbath, instead of being a day of rest, became the most laborious day of the seven. The philanthropic motive for its observance (cp. Exodus 23:12; Deuteronomy 5:14) was almost entirely lost sight of till our Lord said, 'The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath' (Mark 2:27. Thy manservant] The command is specially addressed to heads of families and employers of labour, and requires (1) that they must themselves rest from labour, and (2) allow those in their employment to rest also.