Exodus 31:2-14

2 “See, I have chosen 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 wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills—

4 to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze,

5 to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts.

6 Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given ability to all the skilled workers to make everything I have commanded you:

7 the tent of meeting, the ark of the covenant law with the atonement cover on it, and all the other furnishings of the tent—

8 the table and its articles, the pure gold lampstand and all its accessories, the altar of incense,

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

10 and also the woven garments, both the sacred garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons when they serve as priests,

11 and the anointing oil and fragrant incense for the Holy Place. They are to make them just as I commanded you.”

The Sabbath

12 Then the LORD said to Moses,

13 “Say to the Israelites, ‘You must observe my Sabbaths. This will be a sign between me and you for the generations to come, so you may know that I am the LORD, who makes you holy.

14 “ ‘Observe the Sabbath, because it is holy to you. Anyone who desecrates it is to be put to death; those who do any work on that day must be cut off from their people.

Exodus 31:2-14 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 36:1,2; Exodus 37:1; Exodus 38:22; 1 Chronicles 2:20; 2 Chronicles 1:5
• 2. S Exodus 17:10
• 3. S Exodus 28:3
• 4. 1 Kings 7:14; 1 Corinthians 12:4
• 5. Exodus 36:1,2; Exodus 38:23
• 6. 1 Kings 7:14; 2 Chronicles 2:14
• 7. S Exodus 28:3
• 8. Exodus 36:8-38
• 9. Exodus 37:1-5
• 10. Exodus 37:6; Exodus 40:20
• 11. Exodus 37:10-16
• 12. Exodus 37:17-24; Leviticus 24:4
• 13. Exodus 37:25-28
• 14. Exodus 38:3; Numbers 4:14
• 15. S Exodus 30:18
• 16. S Exodus 28:2; Exodus 39:1,41
• 17. Exodus 30:22-32; Exodus 37:29
• 18. S Exodus 25:6
• 19. S Exodus 25:9
• 20. S Exodus 20:8; Leviticus 19:3,30
• 21. ver 17; Isaiah 56:4; Ezekiel 20:12,20
• 22. S Exodus 29:42
• 23. Leviticus 11:44; Leviticus 20:8; Leviticus 21:8; Ezekiel 37:28
• 24. Exodus 35:2; Numbers 15:32-36