The Sabbath, Regimes of Truth, and the Subjectivity of Ancient Israel

Abstract

How do the different reasons given for Sabbath observance in the Ten Commandments create “Israel” as a particular subject position or subjectivity? Analysis of the work done by the commands and their reasons for Sabbath observance demonstrates that the commands reflect different kinds of subjectivity and truth for Israel. In the Exodus Sabbath command (Exodus 20:8–11), Israel rests on the seventh day because it is a subject of the Creator God, who is sovereign over creation. In the Deuteronomy Sabbath command (Deuteronomy 5:12–15), Israel rests because it is a loyal, docile subject of the suzerain YHWH. These reasons are part of the regime of truth for those who accept and adopt the subject position of “Israel” offered by the commands.