Exodus 31:1-11

Bezalel and Oholiab

1 Then the LORD said to Moses, ¹

2 “See, I have called by name Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah.

3 And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability, and knowledge in all kinds of craftsmanship,

4 to design artistic works in gold, silver, and bronze,

5 to cut gemstones for settings, and to carve wood, so that he may be a master of every craft.

6 Moreover, I have selected Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, as his assistant. I have also given skill to all the craftsmen, that they may fashion all that I have commanded you:

7 the Tent of Meeting, the ark of the Testimony ^[a] and the mercy seat upon it, and all the other furnishings of the tent—

8 the table with its utensils, the pure gold lampstand with all its utensils, the altar of incense,

9 the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils, and the basin with its stand—

10 as well as the woven garments, both the holy garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons to serve as priests,

11 in addition to the anointing oil and fragrant incense for the Holy Place. They are to make them according to all that I have commanded you.”

Exodus 31:1-11 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 31

In this chapter an account is given of the persons whom God had chosen, and qualified for the work of building the tabernacle, and all things relating to it, and for the direction and oversight thereof, Ex 31:1-6 and an enumeration is made of the several things that were to be wrought, some in one way, some in another, Ex 31:7-11 the law of the sabbath is repeated, and the violation of it made death, Ex 31:12-17 and the chapter is concluded with observing, that at the close of the above orders, two tables of stone, with the law written upon them by the finger of God, were given to Moses, Ex 31:18.

Cross References

• 1. (Exodus 35:30–35)

Footnotes

• [a]. That is, the ark of the covenant