Exodus 31:5

5 to cut gemstones for mounting, and to carve wood for work in every craft.

Exodus 31:5 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 31:5

And in cutting of stones to set them
Not of marble stones, or of any common stones used in building, and the cutting and hewing of them to be laid therein, for of those there was no use in the tabernacle; but of precious stones, and the cutting of them, and setting of them in their ouches or enclosures, as the onyx stones on the shoulders of the high priest, and the twelve precious stones in his breastplate: Bezaleel was taught by the Spirit of God the art of jewelling, and instructed others in it:

and in carving of timber;
or rather, "in cutting timber" F15; for it is the same word as before, for we have no account of any carved work in the tabernacle; and therefore this must design the work of carpenters and joiners in cutting the shittim wood, making planks and boards of it, and of them the sides of the tabernacle, jointed into sockets; the ark of the testimony, the shewbread table, and altar of incense, which were of timber, and the workmanship of such persons:

to work in all manner of workmanship;
in all other manufactories; as spinning, weaving, embroidery, dying various colours, compounding ointment, perfume


FOOTNOTES:

F15 (Ue tvrhb) "in fabrefactione ligni", Montanus; so Tigurine version.

Exodus 31:5 In-Context

3 I have filled him with God's Spirit, with wisdom, understanding, and ability in every craft
4 to design artistic works in gold, silver, and bronze,
5 to cut gemstones for mounting, and to carve wood for work in every craft.
6 I have also selected Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to be with him. I have placed wisdom within every skilled craftsman in order to make all that I have commanded you:
7 the tent of meeting, the ark of the testimony, the mercy seat that is on top of it, and all the [other] furnishings of the tent-
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