The Second Earliest Reference to the Sabbath outside of the Bible, from the Jews Living in Egypt
An Ostraca with Aramaic inscription was found in Elephantine, Egypt where a long-established Jewish colony lived. The area at the time was under Persian control since its capture by Cambyses in 525 BCE. The Ostraca is the second earliest reference to Shabbat observance.
Exodus 20:8
Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the L-rd your G-d, you shall not do any work.
In the Ostraca the recipient is urged:
“Get there before the boat comes in—on account of the Sabbath…”
Overview
Sabbath Ostraca from Elephantine, Egypt:
“Get there before the boat comes in—on account of the Sabbath…”
In the Bible
Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
"זָכ֛וֹר אֶת־י֥וֹם הַשַּׁבָּ֖ת לְקַדְּשֽׁוֹ."אוֹסְטְרָקוֹן שַׁבָּת מֵאלְפֶנְטִינָה, מִצְרַיִם: "תַּגִּיעַ לְשָׁם לִפְנֵי שֶׁהַסְּפִינָה מַגִּיעָה – בִּגְלַל הַשַּׁבָּת..."
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