SABBATH DAY’s JOURNEY (σαββάτον ὁδός, sabbath journey, sabbath day’s journey). A measure of distance, somewhat similar to the Egyp. unit of 1000 double steps, which served as the limit of travel on the sabbath. The phrase became a common expression for a relatively short distance.

The distance has been generally reckoned as 2000 cubits or approximately 2/3 of a m. Acts 1:12, the only instance of its occurrence in the Bible, specifies its length as the distance from Mt. Olivet to Jerusalem. (From the Eastern gate of Jerusalem to the present site of the Church of the Ascension on Mt. Olivet is slightly over 1/2 m.)

It is assumed that the regulation had its origin in the Mosaic period in the injunction to the Israelite not to leave camp to collect manna on the sabbath (Exod 16:29). In the Jerusalem Targ. this command reads: “Let no man go walking from the place beyond 2000 cubits on the seventh day.” There are other regulations to which appeal is made in an effort to locate the origin of this practice or precept. One is the provision that the area belonging to the Levitical cities included land which extended from the wall 2000 cubits on every side (Num 35:5). Another is the supposed distance that separated the Ark and the people both on the march and at camp (Josh 3:4). As far as this specific regulation is concerned, it applied only to leaving the city, the prescribed distance being measured from the city gate. Within the city proper, no matter how large it might be, there was no such limitation.

The original intent of the provision was to insure a quiet, leisurely Sabbath and to keep it from becoming a harried and busy day (Exod 16:29). It was also designed to keep the Israelitish worshiper in the area of the center of his worship. The motive was noble but, unfortunately, it resulted in a barren legalism. As a consequence, there were casuistic schemes to circumvent it. It did, however, permit a legitimate exception. If one were caught at a distance on a journey, he might travel to the nearest shelter for safety. But there were deliberate schemes to by-pass the rule. One such scheme was to select a tree or a stone at a distance, place some food there, and declare: “Let this be my residence.”

Bibliography Mishnah, tr. H. Danby, Erubin, 4 (1933); J. S. Davis, “Sabbath,” DDB (1954), 662-665; H. Porter, “Sabbath Day’s Journey,” ISBE, IV (1955), 2634; D. J. Wiseman, “Weights and Measures,” NDB (1962), 1324; T. S. Kepler, “Sabbath Day’s Journey,” IDB, IV (1962), 141; P. van Imschoot, “Sabbath Journey,” EGB (1963), 2076.