Jubilees / Chapter 50

Jubilees 50

13 verses • Ge'ez (Ethiopic)

Translator's Introduction

What This Chapter Is About

Stringent Sabbath laws and concluding exhortation. The Sabbath is observed by God and the two highest angel orders. Violations carry death. The book ends at the threshold of Exodus 14.

What Makes This Chapter Remarkable

Among the strictest Sabbath laws in all Second Temple literature. The concluding statement that the book was dictated by the Angel of the Presence gives Jubilees its highest authority claim.

Translation Friction

The extreme severity (death for carrying, for marital relations, for discussing work) exceeds Torah and mainstream rabbinic interpretation. This reflects sectarian provenance — likely Essene.

Connections

Exodus 20:8-11; 31:12-17; Isaiah 56:2-7; 58:13-14; CD 10:14-11:18 (Qumran Sabbath laws); Hebrews 4:9-10.

Jubilees 50:1

Ge'ez text per Charles/VanderKam editions

After this law, I revealed to you the Sabbath days in the wilderness of Sinai.

REF And after this law I made known to thee the Sabbaths.

Jubilees 50:2

Ge'ez text per Charles/VanderKam editions

I told you about the Sabbaths of the land on Mount Sinai and the jubilee years. But the specific year I have not told you until you enter the land.

REF And I told thee of the Sabbaths of the land and the jubilee years.

Jubilees 50:3

Ge'ez text per Charles/VanderKam editions

The land itself shall observe its Sabbaths while they live upon it, and they shall know the jubilee year.

REF And the land also shall keep its Sabbaths.

Jubilees 50:4

Ge'ez text per Charles/VanderKam editions

From the days of Adam until this day: forty-nine jubilees, one week, and two years. Forty years still remain for learning the commandments before entering Canaan.

REF There are forty-nine jubilees from Adam until this day.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The master chronological key: from Adam to Sinai = 49 jubilees + 1 week + 2 years.
Jubilees 50:5

Ge'ez text per Charles/VanderKam editions

The jubilees will pass until Israel is cleansed from all guilt and dwells securely. There will be no more Satan, and the land will be pure forever.

REF And the jubilees shall pass until Israel is cleansed from all guilt.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. A rare eschatological statement — anticipating a world freed from the Adversary.
Jubilees 50:6

Ge'ez text per Charles/VanderKam editions

Here is the commandment regarding the Sabbaths. I have written them down for you — along with all the rulings.

REF And behold the commandment regarding the Sabbaths.

Jubilees 50:7

Ge'ez text per Charles/VanderKam editions

Six days you shall work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. On it you shall do no work at all.

REF Six days shalt thou labour, but on the seventh is the Sabbath of the Lord.

Jubilees 50:8

Ge'ez text per Charles/VanderKam editions

The man who does any work on it shall die. Whoever lies with his wife, travels, draws water not prepared on the sixth day, or carries any load — he shall die.

REF And the man that doeth any work thereon shall die.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Banning marital relations on the Sabbath is unique to Jubilees and contradicts later rabbinic law.
Jubilees 50:9

Ge'ez text per Charles/VanderKam editions

You shall do no work on the Sabbath except what you prepared on the sixth day — eat, drink, rest, and bless the Lord your God.

REF Ye shall do no work save what ye prepared on the sixth day.

Jubilees 50:10

Ge'ez text per Charles/VanderKam editions

Great is the honor the Lord has given Israel — to eat, drink, and rest, except for burning incense and bringing offerings.

REF Great is the honour the Lord hath given Israel.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Temple service is the one permitted 'work' on the Sabbath.
Jubilees 50:11

Ge'ez text per Charles/VanderKam editions

This work alone may be done on Sabbath days in the sanctuary of the Lord — continual atonement for Israel.

REF This work alone shall be done on the Sabbath in the sanctuary.

Jubilees 50:12

Ge'ez text per Charles/VanderKam editions

Whoever works, travels, lights a fire, rides an animal, catches any creature, fasts, or wages war on the Sabbath — that man shall die.

REF And whoever doeth any work, or goeth on a journey, or lighteth a fire, or catcheth an animal on the Sabbath:

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The prohibition against fasting on Sabbath is notable — Sabbath is for joy, not affliction.
Jubilees 50:13

Ge'ez text per Charles/VanderKam editions

The man who does any of these things on the Sabbath shall die. The children of Israel must observe the Sabbaths as written on the tablets God placed in my hands — that I should write the laws of the seasons according to the division of their days. Here ends the account of the division of the days.

REF The man who doeth any of these on the Sabbath shall die. Herewith is completed the account of the division of the days.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The final verse closes the entire book. The Angel of the Presence has completed his revelation to Moses on Sinai.