Isaiah 56:2

Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil.

Cross-reference

Isaiah 56:4 Parallel

Isaiah 56:4 expands the same blessing to eunuchs who keep Sabbaths — directly continuing the thought of verse 2.

Isaiah 56:6 Parallel

In Isaiah 56:6, the same conditions (keeping Sabbath, holding covenant) are applied to foreigners — expanding the blessing.

Isaiah 58:13 elaborates on proper Sabbath observance — avoiding business and delighting in the day — reinforcing the command in Isa 56:2.

Luke 11:28 Parallel

Luke 11:28 records Jesus pronouncing blessing on those who hear God's word and keep it — echoing the blessing on Sabbath-keepers.

Jeremiah 17:21 specifically forbids carrying burdens on the Sabbath, detailing a way to avoid profaning it as commanded in Isa 56:2.

Jeremiah 17:22 continues the Sabbath command, emphasizing holiness and refraining from work — a parallel to Isa 56:2's call to keep the day.

Ezekiel 20:12 Related theme

Ezekiel 20:12 presents the Sabbath as a sign that God sanctifies, deepening the theological significance of the command in Isa 56:2.

Ezekiel 20:20 repeats the Sabbath sign command, linking it to knowing the Lord — adding a relational dimension to Isa 56:2's blessing.

Psalm 119:1-5 opens with beatitudes on those who walk in God's law — directly parallel to the blessing on keeping Sabbath.

John 13:17 Parallel

John 13:17 says 'blessed are you if you do them' — same emphasis on doing, echoing the blessing on Sabbath-keeping.

Psalm 1:1-3 also opens with 'Blessed is the man' and describes delight in God's law, paralleling Isaiah's portrait of the blessed Sabbath-keeper.

Nehemiah 13:17 Historical context

Nehemiah 13:17 records a historical rebuke for profaning the Sabbath, illustrating the sin Isa 56:2 warns against.

Leviticus 19:30 also commands Sabbath keeping along with reverence for the sanctuary, directly paralleling the call in Isa 56:2.

Exodus 31:13–16 Historical context

Exodus 31:13-16 establishes the Sabbath as a sign of the covenant, providing the foundational command that Isa 56:2 calls the faithful to keep.

Genesis 2:3 Historical context

Genesis 2:3 records God blessing and sanctifying the seventh day, establishing the Sabbath that this verse calls to keep.

Leviticus 23:3 prescribes the Sabbath as a holy rest with no work, directly paralleling the instruction to not profane it.

Exodus 31:14 commands keeping the Sabbath as holy and warns against profaning it, directly echoing the Sabbath command here.

Luke 12:43 Parallel

Luke 12:43 blesses the servant found doing his master's will — parallel to the blessing on those who keep Sabbath and avoid evil.

Romans 12:9 Parallel

Romans 12:9 commands abhorring evil and holding fast to good, directly reinforcing the theme of keeping hands from evil.

Mark 2:24 Contrast

Mark 2:24 shows the Sabbath law being invoked to accuse Jesus' disciples — the same command that brings blessing here is used as a legalistic test.

Proverbs 16:17 states the highway of the upright turns from evil, paralleling the call to keep hands from evil for blessing.

Proverbs 14:16 describes the wise as turning away from evil, matching the blessed person who keeps his hand from doing evil.

Proverbs 4:27 warns against swerving and commands turning the foot from evil, directly aligning with the instruction to keep hands from evil.

Psalm 128:1 Parallel

Psalm 128:1 blesses those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways — same beatitude form as keeping Sabbath and avoiding evil.

Psalm 119:101 parallels holding back feet from evil ways, reinforcing the same commitment to avoid evil in order to keep God's word.

Psalm 112:1 Parallel

Psalm 112:1 blesses those who fear the Lord and delight in his commandments — matching the blessing on Sabbath-keeping.

Psalm 106:3 Parallel

Psalm 106:3 blesses those who observe justice and do righteousness — a parallel beatitude to keeping Sabbath and avoiding evil.

Psalm 37:27 Parallel

Psalm 37:27 echoes the call to turn from evil and do good, mirroring the blessing for keeping hands from evil here.

Psalm 34:14 Parallel

Psalm 34:14 calls to depart from evil and do good, directly echoing the 'keeps his hand from evil' part of Isa 56:2.

Psalm 15:1-3 asks who may dwell with God and answers with blameless conduct — mirrors Isaiah's description of the blessed one who avoids evil and keeps Sabbath.

Proverbs 16:6 Related theme

Proverbs 16:6 says the fear of the LORD leads one to turn from evil, a similar theme to avoiding evil in this verse.