Albert Barnes Commentary Exodus 12:16

"And in the first day there shall be to you a holy convocation, and in the seventh day a holy convocation; no manner of work shall be done in them, save that which every man must eat, that only may be done by you." — Exodus 12:16 (ASV)

A holy convocation - An assembly called by proclamation for a religious solemnity. See Leviticus 23:2; Numbers 10:2–3. In the East, the proclamation is made by the Muezzins from the minarets of the mosques.

Save that... - In this, the observance of the festival differed from the Sabbath, when the preparation of food was prohibited. The same word for “work” is used here and in the fourth commandment: it is very general, and includes all laborious occupation.