Unit 1 (v. 14a): Keep the Sabbath because it is set apart
The command is direct: “keep the Sabbath.” The reason given is that the Sabbath is “holy” (set apart) “to you,” meaning it is intended to be treated as special by the people.
Unit 2 (v. 14b): Two penalty statements for treating it as ordinary
The verse states that anyone who “profanes” the Sabbath is to be put to death. It then restates the same idea in another form: anyone who does work on it is to be “cut off” from the people, describing removal from the community.
Unit 3 (v. 15a): Weekly pattern: six for work, seventh for complete rest
The passage lays out the normal week: work may be done for six days, but the seventh day is defined as a Sabbath characterized by “solemn rest.”
Unit 4 (v. 15b): The seventh day belongs especially to Yahweh; work repeats the death penalty
The seventh day is called “holy to Yahweh,” emphasizing that it is set apart with reference to him. The prohibition is enforced again: whoever does work on the Sabbath day is to be put to death, reinforcing the seriousness through repetition.
