Exodus 31:1-11

God's Provision of the Skilled Workers

1 The Lord also spoke to Moses:

2 "Look, I have appointed by name Bezalel son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah.

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^[a] son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to be with him. I have placed wisdom within every skilled craftsman^[b] 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-

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, the basin with its stand-

10 the specially woven^[c] garments, both the holy garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons to serve as priests,

11 the anointing oil, and the fragrant incense for the sanctuary. They must 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. LXX, Syr read Eliab
• [b]. Lit every person skilled of heart
• [c]. Hb obscure