The seven-day week

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Who

The Hebrew Bible and Jewish tradition of the Sabbath

When

antiquity

Where

ancient Israel / the Ancient Near East

The seven-day week, culminating in a day of rest, is set out in the Hebrew Bible's creation account and the commandment to keep the Sabbath. While week-like cycles existed elsewhere, the Jewish Sabbath tradition is widely credited with spreading the fixed seven-day week that the world uses today.

Sources

Part of “The Gifts of the Jews” — verified Jewish contributions to the world, with sources.