For in six days introduces the reason for this commandment, so the for carries the meaning of “because.” The LORD made heaven and earth is literally “Yahweh made the heavens and the earth.” In many languages it will be better style to render the LORD as “I, the LORD” (Good News Translation) or simply omit “Yahweh” and say “I made…,” since Yahweh is mentioned as the speaker in the previous verse. There is no “and” for the sea, so the more literal translations reflect this. But it is good to add it here, for these three areas represent the whole universe as it was understood in the ancient world. Note that Good News Translation places “the earth” first and changes the sea to “the seas” to make it sound more natural. However, it will be quite natural style in many languages to keep the Hebrew order; for example, “In six days I made the sky, the earth, the seas [or, oceans] ….”

And all that is in them refers to all created things—plants, animals, and humans—in “the earth, the skies, the sea” (Good News Translation). And rested the seventh day means to relax or take a rest. It is a different word from shavath, which is the word used in 16.30, in 31.17, and in Gen 2.2-3. The word used here refers to resting after becoming tired. Therefore means “for that reason,” or “That is why” (Good News Translation). The LORD blessed the sabbath day means that Yahweh gave special significance to it. And hallowed it means he “made it holy” (Good News Translation), “declared it holy” (Revised English Bible), or “set it apart for holiness” (Durham). Contemporary English Version has a helpful model: “but on the seventh day I rested. That’s why I made the Sabbath a special day that belongs to me.”

Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .