Exodus31
American Standard Version · Public Domain
1And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying,
2See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah:
3and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,
4to devise skilful works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,
5and in cutting of stones for setting, and in carving of wood, to work in all manner of workmanship.
6And I, behold, I have appointed with him Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; and in the heart of all that are wise-hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee:
7the tent of meeting, and the ark of the testimony, and the mercy-seat that is thereupon, and all the furniture of the Tent,
8and the table and its vessels, and the pure candlestick with all its vessels, and the altar of incense,
9and the altar of burnt-offering with all its vessels, and the laver and its base,
10and the finely wrought garments, and the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, to minister in the priest’s office,
11and the anointing oil, and the incense of sweet spices for the holy place: according to all that I have commanded thee shall they do.
12And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying,
13Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily ye shall keep my sabbaths: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am Jehovah who sanctifieth you.
14Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that profaneth it shall surely be put to death; for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.
15Six days shall work be done; but on the seventh day is a sabbath of solemn rest, holy to Jehovah; whosoever doeth any work on the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.
16Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant.
17It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days Jehovah made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.
18And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, the two tables of the testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Exodus 31.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Bezaleel and Aholiab are appointed and qualified for the work of the tabernacle. (1–11). The observance of the sabbath. (12–17). Moses receives the tables of the law. (18).
vv1-11
The Israelites, who had been masons and bricklayers in Egypt, were not qualified for curious workmanship; but the Spirit who gave the apostles utterance in divers tongues, miraculously gave Bezaleel and Aholiab the skill that was wanting. The honour which comes from God, is always attended with a work to be done; to be employed for God is high honour. Those whom God calls to any service, he will find or make fit for it. The Lord gives different gifts to different persons; let each mind his proper work, diligently remembering that whatever wisdom any one possesses, the Lord put it in the heart, to do his commandments.
vv12-17
Orders were now given that a tabernacle should be set up for the service of God. But they must not think that the nature of the work, and the haste that was required, would justify them in working at it on sabbath days. The Hebrew word /shabath/ signifies rest, or ceasing from labour. The thing signified by the sabbath is that rest in glory which remains for the people of God; therefore the moral obligation of the sabbath must continue, till time is swallowed up in eternity.
v18
The law was written in tables of stone, to show how lasting it is: to denote likewise the hardness of our hearts; one might more easily write on stone, than write any thing good on our corrupt natural hearts. It was written with the finger of God; by his will and power. God only can write his law in the heart: he gives a heart of flesh; then, by his Spirit, which is the finger of God, writes his will in the heart, 2Co 3:3.
Key Words
מֹשֶׁה: Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver
רָאָה: to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
קָרָא: to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
שֵׁם: an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
בְּצַלְאֵל: Betsalel, the name of two Israelites
בֵּן: a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)
אוּרִי: Uri, the name of three Israelites
חוּר: Chur, the name of four Israelites and one Midianite
מַטֶּה: a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance), or walking (a staff; figuratively, a support of life, e.g. bread)
יְהוּדָה: Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
Cross References
Exodus 31Moses publicly announces the divine calling and naming of Bezaleel to the congregation.
Supported by JFB
The fulfillment of Bezaleel being filled with God's Spirit, wisdom, and understanding.
Supported by JFB
Verifies the genealogy of Bezaleel, son of Uri, son of Hur, of Judah.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Contrasts tables of stone written by the Spirit/finger of God with fleshy tables of the heart.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Confirms Aholiab's appointment alongside Bezaleel and their God-given ability to teach others.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallel description of the holy garments and clothes of service for the tabernacle ministry.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Prophetic reflection on the Sabbath given as a sign of sanctification between God and Israel.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Historical execution of the death penalty for Sabbath-breaking commanded in this chapter.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The initial promise of the stone tables and law written by God on the mount.
Supported by JFB
New Testament parallel of one Spirit distributing diverse technical and spiritual gifts to individuals.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The basis for the Sabbath rest in the six-day creation model from the Decalogue.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The original creation rest of God on the seventh day referenced in verse 17.
Supported by John Calvin
Jesus equates the 'finger of God' with the Spirit of God in His ministry.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Detailed recipe and instructions for the holy anointing oil to be made.
Supported by Matthew Poole