Library Theodoret Questions on Exodus
Questions on Exodus 65: The Sabbath as a sign
Legislating about the Sabbaths he said: “For it is a sign between me and the sons of Israel for your generations.” How then should we understand this?
Just as when giving circumcision to Abraham he said, “And it shall be a sign between me and you,” so also when legislating about the Sabbath he said: “For it is a sign between me and the sons of Israel for your generations.” For the novelty of the way of life always caused the memory of the lawgiver to flourish, and separated them from the other nations. For just as seals make clear flocks and herds, so the distinctive marks of the Hebrews’ way of life both kept them apart from the others and taught them to attend upon the lawgiver.
Greek: Theodoret of Cyrus, Quaestiones in Octateuchum / Questions on Exodus (CPG 6200.02; cf. Fernández Marcos and Sáenz-Badillos; also PG 80, cols. 225–298). English: study translation for BWAB Library—not the copyrighted Robert C. Hill (CUA Press) translation. The full Questions on Exodus (72 questions) is hosted here.