Exodus 31:1-11

The Skilled Craftsmen

1 ¹Now the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

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

3 "I have ³filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship,

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

5 and in the cutting of stones for settings, and in the carving of wood, that he may work in all kinds of craftsmanship.

6 "And behold, I Myself have appointed with him ⁴Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; and in the hearts of all who are skillful * I have put skill, that they may make all that I have commanded you:

7 ⁵the tent of meeting, and ⁶the ark of testimony, and ⁷the mercy seat upon it, and all the furniture of the tent,

8 ⁸the table also and its utensils, and the ⁹pure gold lampstand with all its utensils, and ¹⁰the altar of incense,

9 ¹¹the altar of burnt offering also with all its utensils, and ¹²the laver and its stand,

10 the ¹³woven garments as well, and the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, with which to carry on their priesthood;

11 ¹⁴the anointing oil also, and the ¹⁵fragrant 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. Ex 35:30-36:1
• 2. 1 Chronicles 2:20
• 3. Exodus 35:31; 1 Kings 7:14; 1 Corinthians 12:4-8
• 4. Exodus 35:34
• 5. Exodus 36:8-38
• 6. Exodus 37:1-5
• 7. Exodus 37:6-9
• 8. Exodus 37:10-16
• 9. Exodus 37:17-24; Leviticus 24:4
• 10. Exodus 37:25-29
• 11. Exodus 38:1-7
• 12. Exodus 38:8
• 13. Exodus 39:1
• 14. Exodus 30:23-32
• 15. Exodus 30:34-38

Footnotes

• [a]. Or "workmanship"
• [b]. Lit "devise devices"
• [c]. Or "copper"
• [d]. Lit "to fill in (for a setting)"
• [e]. Or "workmanship"
• [f]. Lit "given"
• [g]. Lit "wise of heart"
• [h]. Lit "wisdom"
• [i]. Lit "propitiatory"
• [j]. Or "vessels"
• [k]. Or "vessels"
• [l]. Or "vessels"
• [m]. Or "service garments"
• [n]. Lit "minister as priests"