Marital sex on the Sabbath day — Yes or No?

Should the followers of God have marital sex on the Sabbath day? Many people who aim to keep all the commandments of God face this burning question. The desire to follow his commandments in every detail eventually provokes many questions, including this one.

Torah and commandment-believing know who they worship, and worshipping God means you must keep his commandments.

Sex on the Sabbath

When searching the internet, the consensus favours sexual intercourse on the Sabbath day. The teaching embodies the union between a man and a woman as spiritual, allowing intercourse on a spiritual day.

This answer is unsettling since it builds on unsubstantiated doctrines without any clear examples from the Word of God. Daniel exemplified that he found understanding through studying Jeremiah’s writings (Daniel 9:2), thus providing a clear example that we should rely on the scriptures for direction.

Scriptural direction

To have or not have sex on the Sabbath is presented in Exodus 19 & 20.

^10. And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes,

^11. And be ready against the third day: for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai.

^12. And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, that ye go not up into the mount, or touch the border of it: whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death:

^13. There shall not an hand touch it, but he shall surely be stoned, or shot through; whether it be beast or man, it shall not live: when the trumpet soundeth long, they shall come up to the mount.

^14. And Moses went down from the mount unto the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes.

^15. And he said unto the people, Be ready against the third day: come not at your wives.

Exodus 19:10-15 KJV

God spoke to Moses and commanded him to sanctify the people in Exodus 19:10. As part of the sanctification process, Moses commanded the Israelites not to “come (have sexual intercourse) at their wives” in Exodus 19:15.

The words in focus here are “sanctify” and “come”.

In Exodus 20:8, God commanded that his Sabbath day be kept holy.

Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

Exodus 20:8 (KJV)

Word	Holy
Strongs	H6942
Hebrew	קָדַש
Transliteration	qâdash
Meaning	sanctify

Despite sanctify and holy being translated using two different words in English, they are the same word in Hebrew. This equality shows that part of sanctification is not having sexual intercourse on the Sabbath.

It goes without saying that God only allows sexual intercourse within the marriage union between a man and a woman.

Sabbath day heat

The Sabbath appears to be a particularly sexually-heated day. This state of arousal may result from the Sabbath falling on the weekend. The relief from the labour burden creates the desire for coupling and release.

The Sabbath in the gregorian calendar falls on Saturday, although many celebrate it on Sunday. As a result, entering into a marriage and controlling yourself on the Sabbath is a struggle between the flesh and holiness. Nonetheless, God is clear on what He expects, so there is a titanic battle to be righteous.

All things are possible with the Most High God.

Creeping Compromise

Ordinarily, resistance rears its head when the understanding of a doctrine arises that demands changing one’s habits. Some will still mangle logic and the evidence presented to justify having sexual intercourse on the Sabbath. They will succumb to the power of the flesh and explain it to themselves with any shred of flawed logic they can find.

Further evidence

The following passage from the book of Jubilees provides further evidence for those who have extended beyond the protestant Christian 66-Book Bible.

And the man that does any work on it shall die: whoever desecrates that day, whoever lies with (his) wife, or whoever says he will do something on it, that he will set out on a journey thereon in regard to any buying or selling: and whoever draws water thereon which he had not prepared for himself on the sixth day, and whoever takes up any burden to carry it out of his tent or out of his house shall die.

Jubilees 50:8

This passage does not leave room for negotiation, stating, “whoever desecrates that day, whoever lies with his wife—shall die”.

Some will consider remaining unmarried, which is a great example (1 Corinthians 7:7-8) for proclaiming the Word of God. However, if you cannot contain yourself, it is better to marry than sin and consequently die at the hand of God.

^8. I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.

^9. But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.

1 Corinthians 7:8-9 KJV

Burn refers to the burning in the lake of fire rather than lust.

Conclusion

The architect of this world of sin is bent on fighting against the Word of God; however, God is clear about what we must do to enter the kingdom of heaven.

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Romans 12:2 KJV

Without personal study and earnest prayer for the blessings and understanding provided by God, the scriptures will be a closed book to even the learned—well-educated. The scriptures will not yield their secrets because God will not give his secrets to those who do not seek him and keep His commandments.

He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

1 John 2:4 KJV