Exodus - 31:1-18



      1 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 2 "Behold, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: 3 and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all kinds of workmanship, 4 to devise skillful works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, 5 and in cutting of stones for setting, and in carving of wood, to work in all kinds of workmanship. 6 I, behold, I have appointed with him Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; and in the heart of all who are wise-hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded you: 7 the Tent of Meeting, the ark of the testimony, the mercy seat that is on it, all the furniture of the Tent, 8 the table and its vessels, the pure lampstand with all its vessels, the altar of incense, 9 the altar of burnt offering with all its vessels, the basin and its base, 10 the finely worked garments - the holy garments for Aaron the priest - the garments of his sons to minister in the priest's office, 11 the anointing oil, and the incense of sweet spices for the holy place: according to all that I have commanded you they shall do." 12 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 13 "Speak also to the children of Israel, saying, 'Most certainly you shall keep my Sabbaths: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that you may know that I am Yahweh who sanctifies you. 14 You shall keep the Sabbath therefore; for it is holy to you. Everyone who profanes it shall surely be put to death; for whoever does any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people. 15 Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, holy to Yahweh. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day shall surely be put to death. 16 Therefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. 17 It is a sign between me and the children of Israel forever; for in six days Yahweh made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.'" 18 He gave to Moses, when he finished speaking with him on Mount Sinai, the two tablets of the testimony, stone tablets, written with God's finger.


Chapter In-Depth

Explanation and meaning of Exodus 31.

Historical Commentaries

Scholarly Analysis and Interpretation.

Bezaleel appointed for the work of the tabernacle, Exodus 31:1-5. Aholiab appointed for the same, Exodus 31:6. The particular things on which they were to be employed, the ark and mercy-seat, Exodus 31:7. Table, candlestick, and altar of incense, Exodus 31:8. Altar of burnt-offering and the laver, Exodus 31:9. Priest's garments, Exodus 31:10. Anointing oil and sweet incense, Exodus 31:11. God renews the command relative to the sanctification of the Sabbath, Exodus 31:12-17. Delivers to Moses the two tables of stone, Exodus 31:18.

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, Exodus 31:1 and an enumeration is made of the several things that were to be wrought, some in one way, some in another, Exodus 31:7 the law of the sabbath is repeated, and the violation of it made death, Exodus 31:12 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, Exodus 31:18.

(Exodus 31:1-11) Bezaleel and Aholiab are appointed and qualified for the work of the tabernacle.
(Exodus 31:12-17) The observance of the sabbath.
(Exodus 31:18) Moses receives the tables of the law.

*More commentary available by clicking individual verses.


Discussion on Exodus Chapter 31

User discussion about the chapter.






*By clicking Submit, you agree to our Privacy Policy & Terms of Use.