The days of the week in the Hebrew Bible are not only a framework for understanding time but also a profound reflection of spiritual and religious principles. Rooted in the creation narrative of Genesis, the seven-day week, with Shabbat at its heart, shapes the foundation of Jewish observance and theological thought. While the Hebrew Bible does not explicitly name the days of the week as we know them today, it offers deep insight into their significance, particularly the sanctity of the seventh day. This article explores the biblical origins of the week, the religious importance of each day, and how the structure of time is woven into the fabric of Jewish tradition.
The Hebrew names for the days of the week are simply the day number within the week. In Hebrew, these names may be abbreviated using the numerical value of the Hebrew letters, for example יום א׳ (Day 1, or Yom Rishon (יום ראשון)):
- Yom Ekhad (יום אחד) = “day one” or Yom Rishon – יום ראשון (abbreviated יום א׳) = “first day” = Sunday (starting at preceding sunset)
- Yom Sheni – יום שני (abbr. יום ב׳) = “second day” = Monday
- Yom Shlishi – יום שלישי (abbr. יום ג׳) = “third day” = Tuesday
- Yom Reviʻi – יום רבעי (abbr. יום ד׳) = “fourth day” = Wednesday
- Yom Chamishi – יום חמישי (abbr. יום ה׳) = “fifth day” = Thursday
- Yom Shishi – יום ששי (abbr. יום ו׳) = “sixth day” = Friday
- Yom Sheviʻi (יום השׁביעי ) = “seventh day“, but better known as Yom Shabbat – יום שבת (abbr. יום ש׳) or שבת – Shabbat = “Sabbath day (Rest day)” = Saturday
The names of the days of the week are modeled on the seven days mentioned in the Book of Genesis.
(1) Genesis 1:5 ויקרא אלהים לאור יום ולחשׁך קרא לילה ויהי־ערב ויהי־בקר יום אחד׃
(2) Genesis 1:8 ויקרא אלהים לרקיע שׁמים ויהי־ערב ויהי־בקר יום שׁני׃
(3) Genesis 1:13 ויהי־ערב ויהי־בקר יום שׁלישׁי׃
(4) Genesis 1:19 ויהי־ערב ויהי־בקר יום רביעי׃
(5) Genesis 1:23 ויהי־ערב ויהי־בקר יום חמישׁי׃
(6) Genesis 1:31 וירא אלהים את־כל־אשׁר עשׂה והנה־טוב מאד ויהי־ערב ויהי־בקר יום השׁשׁי׃
(7) Genesis 2:2 יכל אלהים ביום השׁביעי מלאכתו אשׁר עשׂה וישׁבת ביום השׁביעי מכל־מלאכתו אשׁר עשׂה׃
Hebrew Days of the Week in the Hebrew Bible
The concept of days of the week in the Hebrew Bible is primarily shaped by the account of creation in Genesis 1 and is a fundamental element of Jewish tradition. The Hebrew calendar, based on lunar cycles, is central to the understanding of time and the rhythm of religious observance. The Hebrew Bible, particularly the Torah, offers significant insights into the structure and significance of the days of the week, with the seventh day, Shabbat, being of particular importance.
1. Creation and the Structure of the Week
The origin of the seven-day week is outlined in the Book of Genesis, specifically in the first chapter. According to Genesis 1:1-31, God created the world in six days, and on the seventh day, He rested.
- Day 1 (Genesis 1:1-5): “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth…” This is the day when light was created, separating it from darkness. The first day is described as the foundation of time itself, with God declaring the creation of day and night.
- Day 2 (Genesis 1:6-8): God created the sky, separating the waters above from the waters below, forming the heavens.
- Day 3 (Genesis 1:9-13): The earth was gathered to one place, and dry land appeared. Plants and trees bearing fruit were created.
- Day 4 (Genesis 1:14-19): God created the sun, moon, and stars to separate day from night and mark seasons, days, and years.
- Day 5 (Genesis 1:20-23): God created the creatures of the sea and the birds of the air.
- Day 6 (Genesis 1:24-31): God created the animals and mankind, with humanity being created in God’s image. This day marks the completion of the physical creation.
- Day 7 (Genesis 2:1-3): “And God saw everything that He had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.” On the seventh day, God rested from His work, establishing the Sabbath.
This cyclical pattern of seven days has been deeply embedded in Jewish thought and religious observance, and it is significant that the seventh day is designated as a day of rest, which carries over into the religious observances described in the Hebrew Bible.
2. Shabbat: The Seventh Day
The seventh day, known as Shabbat (שַׁבָּת), is the most significant day of the week in the Hebrew Bible and in Jewish tradition. In Genesis 2:2-3, it is explicitly stated that God rested on the seventh day, blessing and sanctifying it. Shabbat is both a day of rest and a day of holiness. The Hebrew Bible emphasizes that no work should be done on this day, setting it apart from the other days.
- Exodus 20:8-11 (The Ten Commandments): “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work…” The commandment to observe Shabbat is repeated throughout the Torah, emphasizing its centrality in the covenant between God and the Israelites.
- Exodus 31:12-17: God tells Moses that Shabbat is a sign between Him and the people of Israel for all generations, symbolizing the covenant and God’s rest after the creation. Anyone who desecrates the Sabbath is to be put to death, underscoring its seriousness and sanctity.
- Leviticus 23:3: “Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, a holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings.”
3. The Other Six Days of the Week
The Hebrew Bible does not provide individual names for the days of the week like modern languages do (e.g., Monday, Tuesday). Instead, the days are referred to by their position relative to Shabbat. This reflects the centrality of Shabbat in the Hebrew understanding of time. Each day is simply numbered:
- Yom Rishon (יּוֹם רִאשׁוֹן): The first day, or “Day One,” is Sunday. This day follows Shabbat and marks the beginning of the workweek.
- Yom Sheni (יּוֹם שֵׁנִי): The second day, or “Day Two,” is Monday.
- Yom Shlishi (יּוֹם שְּׁלִישִׁי): The third day, or “Day Three,” is Tuesday.
- Yom Revi’i (יּוֹם רְבִיעִי): The fourth day, or “Day Four,” is Wednesday.
- Yom Chamishi (יּוֹם חֲמִישִׁי): The fifth day, or “Day Five,” is Thursday.
- Yom Shishi (יּוֹם שִׁישִׁי): The sixth day, or “Day Six,” is Friday.
These names simply count the days until Shabbat, which is the focal point of the week.
4. Days of the Week and Religious Observances
While Shabbat is the most important day in the Hebrew Bible, the other days are not devoid of significance. Various religious practices and laws are linked to certain days of the week.
- Preparation for Shabbat: Friday, or Yom Shishi, is especially important because it is the day of preparation for Shabbat. The Israelites were commanded to gather a double portion of manna (Exodus 16:23) and prepare food and other necessities, as no work was to be done on Shabbat.
- The Feast of the Weeks (Shavuot): This feast is linked to the counting of the days between Passover and Shavuot, starting on the second day of Passover, which falls on a Yom Sheni (Monday), and continuing for seven weeks, culminating on the 50th day (Leviticus 23:15-16). Shavuot celebrates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai.
5. Significance of the Days Beyond Creation
Although the focus of the days in the Hebrew Bible revolves around creation and the sanctity of Shabbat, there are moments when individual days acquire additional meaning:
- Day One: In Jewish tradition, Yom Rishon (Sunday) represents the renewal and potential of the week. While not religiously distinct in the Bible, it is often viewed as a fresh start, marking the beginning of a cycle of work and rest.
- Day Six: Yom Shishi (Friday) holds a unique place as it is the day when humans were created, according to Genesis 1. It also marks the final preparation before Shabbat.
The Importance of Shabbat and the Weekly Cycle in Jewish Tradition
The days of the week in the Hebrew Bible are essential for understanding the Jewish view of time and the religious observances that accompany it. While the specific days are referred to in numerical terms, with Shabbat taking a central role, the structure of the week offers insights into the rhythms of creation, rest, and divine covenant. Shabbat, as the seventh day, encapsulates the idea of sacred time, and its observance remains a cornerstone of Jewish life and faith. The Hebrew Bible thus not only describes the creation of the world but also sets the foundation for how time is understood and sanctified within the Jewish tradition.