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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad4.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/exodus/31-3.htm" title="Exodus 31:3">◄</a> Exodus 31:4 <a href="/exodus/31-5.htm" title="Exodus 31:5">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/exodus/31.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/exodus/31.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/exodus/31.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />He is a master craftsman, expert in working with gold, silver, and bronze.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/exodus/31.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/exodus/31.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />to design artistic works in gold, silver, and bronze,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/exodus/31.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/exodus/31.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />to design artistic works, to work in gold, in silver, in bronze,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/exodus/31.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />to create artistic designs for work in gold, in silver, and in bronze,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/exodus/31.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />to make artistic designs for work in gold, in silver, and in bronze,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/exodus/31.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />to make artistic designs for work in gold, in silver, and in bronze,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/exodus/31.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />to devise artistic designs for work in gold, in silver, and in bronze,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/exodus/31.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />to make artistic designs for work in gold, in silver, and in bronze,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/exodus/31.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />to design artistic works in gold, silver, and bronze,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/exodus/31.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />to design artistic works in gold, silver, and bronze, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/exodus/31.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />to devise skilful works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/exodus/31.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />to devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/exodus/31.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />He's a master artist familiar with gold, silver, and bronze.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/exodus/31.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />for planning skillful designs and working them in gold, silver, and bronze; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/exodus/31.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />to create plans for work in gold, silver, and bronze, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/exodus/31.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />to design artistic works in gold, silver, and bronze,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/exodus/31.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />to make artistic designs for work with gold, with silver, and with bronze,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/exodus/31.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />to devise skillful works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in bronze,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/exodus/31.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />To devise curious works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/exodus/31.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />to devise skillful works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in bronze, <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/exodus/31.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />to devise inventions to work in gold, and in silver, and in bronze,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/exodus/31.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> to devise devices to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/exodus/31.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />To meditate work of skill, to work in gold and in silver and in brass.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/exodus/31.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />To devise whatsoever may be artificially made of gold, and silver, and brass, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/exodus/31.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />in order to design whatever must be fabricated from gold, and silver, and brass,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/exodus/31.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />in the production of embroidery, in making things of gold, silver, or bronze,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/exodus/31.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/exodus/31.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />To teach cunning works, to do work in gold and in silver and in brass<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/exodus/31.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And the Spirit of God has filled him with wisdom and with understanding and with knowledge and with all service,<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/exodus/31.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />to devise skilful works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/exodus/31.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />and to frame works, to labour in gold, and silver, and brass, and blue, and purple, and spun scarlet,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/exodus/31-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kVae3PiKqhs?start=8068" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/exodus/31.htm">Bezalel and Oholiab the Craftsmen</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">3</span>And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability, and knowledge in all kinds of craftsmanship, <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2803.htm" title="2803: laḥ·šōḇ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To think, account. ">to design</a> <a href="/hebrew/4284.htm" title="4284: ma·ḥă·šā·ḇōṯ (N-fp) -- Thought, device. Or machashebeth; from chashab; a contrivance, i.e. a texture, machine, or intention, plan.">artistic</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: la·‘ă·śō·wṯ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">works</a> <a href="/hebrew/2091.htm" title="2091: baz·zā·hāḇ (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- Gold. From an unused root meaning to shimmer; gold, figuratively, something gold-colored, as oil, a clear sky.">in gold,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3701.htm" title="3701: ū·ḇak·ke·sep̄ (Conj-w, Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- Silver, money. From kacaph; silver; by implication, money.">silver,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5178.htm" title="5178: ū·ḇan·nə·ḥō·šeṯ (Conj-w, Prep-b, Art:: N-fs) -- Copper, bronze. For nchuwshah; copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e. Coin, a fetter; figuratively, base.">and bronze,</a> </span><span class="reftext">5</span>to cut gemstones for settings, and to carve wood, so that he may be a master of every craft.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/7-13.htm">1 Kings 7:13-14</a></span><br />Now King Solomon sent to bring Huram from Tyre. / He was the son of a widow from the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a craftsman in bronze. Huram had great skill, understanding, and knowledge for every kind of bronze work. So he came to King Solomon and carried out all his work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/2-13.htm">2 Chronicles 2:13-14</a></span><br />So now I am sending you Huram-abi, a skillful man endowed with creativity. / He is the son of a woman from the daughters of Dan, and his father is a man of Tyre. He is skilled in work with gold and silver, bronze and iron, stone and wood, purple, blue, and crimson yarn, and fine linen. He is experienced in every kind of engraving and can execute any design that is given him. He will work with your craftsmen and with those of my lord, your father David.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/35-30.htm">Exodus 35:30-35</a></span><br />Then Moses said to the Israelites, “See, the LORD has called by name Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. / And He has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability, and knowledge in all kinds of craftsmanship, / to design artistic works in gold, silver, and bronze, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/36-1.htm">Exodus 36:1-2</a></span><br />“So Bezalel, Oholiab, and every skilled person are to carry out everything commanded by the LORD, who has given them skill and ability to know how to perform all the work of constructing the sanctuary.” / Then Moses summoned Bezalel, Oholiab, and every skilled person whom the LORD had gifted—everyone whose heart stirred him to come and do the work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/28-11.htm">1 Chronicles 28:11-19</a></span><br />Then David gave his son Solomon the plans for the portico of the temple, its buildings, storehouses, upper rooms, inner rooms, and the room for the mercy seat. / The plans contained everything David had in mind for the courts of the house of the LORD, for all the surrounding rooms, for the treasuries of the house of God and of the dedicated things, / for the divisions of the priests and Levites, for all the work of service in the house of the LORD, and for all the articles of service in the house of the LORD: ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/3-1.htm">2 Chronicles 3:1-17</a></span><br />Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the LORD had appeared to his father David. This was the place that David had prepared on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. / Solomon began construction on the second day of the second month in the fourth year of his reign. / The foundation that Solomon laid for the house of God was sixty cubits long and twenty cubits wide, according to the old standard. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/28-24.htm">Isaiah 28:24-29</a></span><br />Does the plowman plow for planting every day? Does he continuously loosen and harrow the soil? / When he has leveled its surface, does he not sow caraway and scatter cumin? He plants wheat in rows and barley in plots, and rye within its border. / For his God instructs and teaches him properly. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/8-12.htm">Proverbs 8:12-31</a></span><br />I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion. / To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct, and perverse speech. / Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight and strength. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/4-21.htm">Genesis 4:21-22</a></span><br />And his brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all who play the harp and flute. / And Zillah gave birth to Tubal-cain, a forger of every implement of bronze and iron. And the sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/12-4.htm">1 Corinthians 12:4-11</a></span><br />There are different gifts, but the same Spirit. / There are different ministries, but the same Lord. / There are different ways of working, but the same God works all things in all people. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/2-10.htm">Ephesians 2:10</a></span><br />For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/1-16.htm">Colossians 1:16</a></span><br />For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/11-10.htm">Hebrews 11:10</a></span><br />For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-6.htm">Romans 12:6-8</a></span><br />We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If one’s gift is prophecy, let him use it in proportion to his faith; / if it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; / if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is giving, let him give generously; if it is leading, let him lead with diligence; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/4-10.htm">1 Peter 4:10-11</a></span><br />As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another. / If anyone speaks, he should speak as one conveying the words of God. If anyone serves, he should serve with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/25-32.htm">Exodus 25:32-35</a></b></br> And six branches shall come out of the sides of it; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/26-1.htm">Exodus 26:1</a></b></br> Moreover thou shalt make the tabernacle <i>with</i> ten curtains <i>of</i> fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: <i>with</i> cherubims of cunning work shalt thou make them.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/7-14.htm">1 Kings 7:14</a></b></br> He <i>was</i> a widow's son of the tribe of Naphtali, and his father <i>was</i> a man of Tyre, a worker in brass: and he was filled with wisdom, and understanding, and cunning to work all works in brass. And he came to king Solomon, and wrought all his work.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/exodus/28-6.htm">Artistic</a> <a href="/exodus/30-18.htm">Brass</a> <a href="/exodus/30-18.htm">Bronze</a> <a href="/exodus/30-18.htm">Copper</a> <a href="/exodus/28-15.htm">Cunning</a> <a href="/exodus/29-5.htm">Curious</a> <a href="/genesis/49-20.htm">Delicate</a> <a href="/exodus/26-31.htm">Designs</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/2-11.htm">Devices</a> <a href="/acts/4-25.htm">Devise</a> <a href="/exodus/30-5.htm">Gold</a> <a href="/exodus/30-15.htm">Silver</a> <a href="/exodus/28-15.htm">Skilful</a> <a href="/exodus/28-15.htm">Skillful</a> <a href="/exodus/1-14.htm">Sorts</a> <a href="/exodus/31-3.htm">Work</a> <a href="/exodus/23-24.htm">Works</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/35-32.htm">Artistic</a> <a href="/exodus/35-5.htm">Brass</a> <a href="/exodus/35-5.htm">Bronze</a> <a href="/exodus/35-5.htm">Copper</a> <a href="/exodus/35-33.htm">Cunning</a> <a href="/exodus/35-32.htm">Curious</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/28-54.htm">Delicate</a> <a href="/exodus/35-32.htm">Designs</a> <a href="/exodus/35-32.htm">Devices</a> <a href="/exodus/35-32.htm">Devise</a> <a href="/exodus/31-8.htm">Gold</a> <a href="/exodus/35-5.htm">Silver</a> <a href="/exodus/35-32.htm">Skilful</a> <a href="/exodus/31-6.htm">Skillful</a> <a href="/leviticus/11-22.htm">Sorts</a> <a href="/exodus/31-5.htm">Work</a> <a href="/exodus/35-32.htm">Works</a><div class="vheading2">Exodus 31</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/31-1.htm">Bezaleel and Aholiah are appointed for the work of the tabernacle</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/31-12.htm">The observation of the Sabbath is again commanded</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/31-18.htm">Moses receives the two tablets</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/31.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/exodus/31.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>to design artistic works</b><br>This phrase highlights the God-given ability to create and design, reflecting the divine nature of creativity. In the context of the tabernacle, artistic design was not merely decorative but served a sacred purpose, symbolizing heavenly realities. The skill to design was imparted by God, emphasizing that all talents and gifts are ultimately from Him. This mirrors the creation narrative where God is the ultimate designer, crafting the universe with order and beauty.<p><b>in gold, silver, and bronze</b><br>These materials were significant in ancient Near Eastern cultures, often associated with wealth, royalty, and divinity. Gold, being the most precious, was used extensively in the tabernacle to symbolize purity and the divine presence. Silver often represented redemption, as seen in the silver shekels used for atonement (<a href="/exodus/30-11.htm">Exodus 30:11-16</a>). Bronze, used for the altar and other furnishings, symbolized judgment and endurance. The use of these metals in the tabernacle's construction pointed to the value and holiness of the worship space, foreshadowing the ultimate redemption and judgment fulfilled in Jesus Christ.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/b/bezalel.htm">Bezalel</a></b><br>A skilled craftsman chosen by God to oversee the construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings. He was filled with the Spirit of God to perform artistic works.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/tabernacle.htm">Tabernacle</a></b><br>The portable dwelling place for the presence of God among the Israelites during their journey through the wilderness. It was a central place of worship and sacrifice.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/a/artistic_works.htm">Artistic Works</a></b><br>The specific tasks Bezalel was called to perform, involving the design and creation of sacred objects using precious metals.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/g/gold,_silver,_and_bronze.htm">Gold, Silver, and Bronze</a></b><br>Materials used in the construction of the Tabernacle, each symbolizing different aspects of God's holiness and the value of worship.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/s/spirit_of_god.htm">Spirit of God</a></b><br>The divine empowerment given to Bezalel, enabling him to carry out his work with wisdom, understanding, and skill.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/d/divine_empowerment_for_service.htm">Divine Empowerment for Service</a></b><br>Just as Bezalel was filled with the Spirit to accomplish his tasks, believers today are empowered by the Holy Spirit to serve in various capacities within the body of Christ.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_value_of_creativity_in_worship.htm">The Value of Creativity in Worship</a></b><br>Artistic expression is a valuable and God-honoring way to worship, reflecting the creativity of our Creator.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/stewardship_of_gifts_and_talents.htm">Stewardship of Gifts and Talents</a></b><br>We are called to use our God-given skills and resources for His glory, just as Bezalel used his talents for the construction of the Tabernacle.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_obedience.htm">The Importance of Obedience</a></b><br>Bezalel's work was a direct response to God's command, reminding us of the importance of obedience in our service to God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/symbolism_in_worship.htm">Symbolism in Worship</a></b><br>The use of gold, silver, and bronze in the Tabernacle points to the richness and depth of worship, encouraging us to approach God with reverence and awe.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_exodus_31.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Exodus 31</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_was_moses'_tabernacle.htm">What was Moses' Tabernacle?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_israelites_get_and_move_metals.htm">How could the Israelites realistically acquire and transport the vast amounts of gold, silver, and bronze mentioned in Exodus 38:24-31 while wandering in the desert?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_israelites_get_materials_for_garments.htm">Exodus 28:2-5: Where did nomadic Israelites supposedly in the desert acquire the costly fabrics, precious stones, and gold for such elaborate garments?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_little_evidence_for_exodus_36_tabernacle.htm">Why is there so little archaeological evidence for a massive tabernacle project described in Exodus 36?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/exodus/31.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4-5) <span class= "bld">Cunning works . . . in gold, and in silver, and in brass, and in cutting of stones</span><p>. . .--It is a characteristic of early art that it eschews specialism, and it is as nearly universal as possible. Theodore of Samos (ab. B.C. 600-560) was an architect, a worker in bronze, and an engraver of hard stones. Michael Angelo was an architect, painter, and sculptor. Giotto was the same, and also a worker in mosaic. It is some time before, in each particular people or country, the imitative arts become separated, and each artist aspires to eminence in one branch only. (Comp. the multiform artistic powers ascribed to Hiram of Tyre in chap. 214.)<p><span class= "bld">In cutting of stones, to set them</span>--<span class= "ital">i.e.</span>, in gem-engraving. This branch of art was needed for engraving the names of the tribes upon the two onyxes of the ephod (<a href="/exodus/28-9.htm" title="And you shall take two onyx stones, and grave on them the names of the children of Israel:">Exodus 28:9</a>), and upon the twelve precious stones of the breastplate (<a href="/context/exodus/28-17.htm" title="And you shall set in it settings of stones, even four rows of stones: the first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this shall be the first row.">Exodus 28:17-18</a>). It was an art very early practised both in Chaldaea and in Egypt. (See Note 2 on <a href="/exodus/28-8.htm" title="And the curious girdle of the ephod, which is on it, shall be of the same, according to the work thereof; even of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen.">Exodus 28:8</a>.)<p><span class= "bld">In carving of timber.</span>--Rather, <span class= "ital">cutting of timber. </span>The woodwork of the sanctuary was not "carved," but plain.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/31.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 4, 5.</span> - The result of these gifts would be to enable him - 1. To devise cunning works - <span class="accented">i.e.</span>, to design everything excellently; and 2. <span class="cmt_word">To work in all</span> <span class="cmt_word">manner of</span> <span class="cmt_word">workmanship</span> - <span class="accented">i.e.</span>, to carry out his designs with success. It has been said that "as everything that had to be done was prescribed in strict and precise detail, there was to be no exercise of original powers of invention nor of taste" (Cook); but this was scarcely so. The forms of the cherubim, the patterns to be woven into the stuffs, or embroidered on them, the shapes of the vessels, of the capitals of the pillars, and of the laver were not prescribed in the directions. Bezaleel and Aholiab would have had to design them after such a description as Moses could give of the "pattern" which he had seen in the mount. In doing this, there would be much room for the exercise of inventive power and taste. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/exodus/31-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">to design</span><br /><span class="heb">לַחְשֹׁ֖ב</span> <span class="translit">(laḥ·šōḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2803.htm">Strong's 2803: </a> </span><span class="str2">To think, account</span><br /><br /><span class="word">artistic works in gold,</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּזָּהָ֥ב</span> <span class="translit">(baz·zā·hāḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2091.htm">Strong's 2091: </a> </span><span class="str2">Gold, something gold-colored, as oil, a clear sky</span><br /><br /><span class="word">silver,</span><br /><span class="heb">וּבַכֶּ֖סֶף</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḇak·ke·sep̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3701.htm">Strong's 3701: </a> </span><span class="str2">Silver, money</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and bronze,</span><br /><span class="heb">וּבַנְּחֹֽשֶׁת׃</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḇan·nə·ḥō·šeṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5178.htm">Strong's 5178: </a> </span><span class="str2">Copper, something made of that metal, coin, a fetter, base</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/31-4.htm">Exodus 31:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/exodus/31-4.htm">Exodus 31:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/exodus/31-4.htm">Exodus 31:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/exodus/31-4.htm">Exodus 31:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/exodus/31-4.htm">Exodus 31:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/31-4.htm">Exodus 31:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/31-4.htm">Exodus 31:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/31-4.htm">Exodus 31:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/31-4.htm">Exodus 31:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/exodus/31-4.htm">Exodus 31:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/exodus/31-4.htm">OT Law: Exodus 31:4 To devise skillful works to work (Exo. Ex) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/exodus/31-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Exodus 31:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Exodus 31:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/exodus/31-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Exodus 31:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Exodus 31:5" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>