CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Exodus 31:1 Then the LORD said to Moses,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/exodus/31-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/02_Exo_31_01.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Exodus 31:1 - Bezalel and Oholiab the Craftsmen" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Then the LORD said to Moses," /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/exodus/31-1.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/exodus/31-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/exodus/">Exodus</a> > <a href="/exodus/31.htm">Chapter 31</a> > Verse 1</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.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/30-38.htm" title="Exodus 30:38">◄</a> Exodus 31:1 <a href="/exodus/31-2.htm" title="Exodus 31:2">►</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 />Then the LORD said to Moses,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/exodus/31.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Moses,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/exodus/31.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />The LORD said to Moses,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/exodus/31.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Moses,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/exodus/31.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/exodus/31.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/exodus/31.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/exodus/31.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Now the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/exodus/31.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Now the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/exodus/31.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/exodus/31.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Now the LORD said to Moses,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/exodus/31.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The LORD also spoke to Moses:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/exodus/31.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The LORD also spoke to Moses: &#8220<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/exodus/31.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/exodus/31.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The LORD said to Moses: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/exodus/31.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/exodus/31.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The LORD said to Moses,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/exodus/31.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The LORD said to Moses, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/exodus/31.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The LORD told Moses, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/exodus/31.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Moses,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/exodus/31.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The LORD spoke to Moses:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/exodus/31.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/exodus/31.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/exodus/31.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/exodus/31.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And YHWH speaks to Moses, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/exodus/31.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Jehovah speaketh unto Moses, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/exodus/31.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Jehovah will speak to Moses, Saying,<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/exodus/31.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/exodus/31.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/exodus/31.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The LORD said to Moses:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/exodus/31.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The LORD spoke to Moses:<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/exodus/31.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />THE LORD spoke to Moses, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/exodus/31.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And a man who will make any like it to smell it will be destroyed from his people. <div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/exodus/31.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/exodus/31.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/exodus/31-1.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=8052" 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">1</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">Then the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/1696.htm" title="1696: way·ḏab·bêr (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To speak. A primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively, to speak; rarely to subdue.">said</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/4872.htm" title="4872: mō·šeh (N-proper-ms) -- A great Isr. leader, prophet and lawgiver. From mashah; drawing out, i.e. Rescued; Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver.">Moses,</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: lê·mōr (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say."></a> </span><span class="reftext">2</span>“See, I have called by name Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah.…<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="/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="/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="/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="/genesis/41-38.htm">Genesis 41:38-39</a></span><br />So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, in whom the Spirit of God abides?” / Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one as discerning and wise as you.<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/4-11.htm">Ephesians 4:11-12</a></span><br />And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, / to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ,<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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/22-29.htm">Proverbs 22:29</a></span><br />Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will be stationed in the presence of kings; he will not stand before obscure men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/1-17.htm">Daniel 1:17</a></span><br />To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding in every kind of literature and wisdom. And Daniel had insight into all kinds of visions and dreams.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/6-3.htm">Acts 6:3</a></span><br />Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will assign this responsibility to them<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/18-2.htm">Acts 18:2-3</a></span><br />There he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to visit them, / and he stayed and worked with them because they were tentmakers by trade, just as he was.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/3-23.htm">Colossians 3:23-24</a></span><br />Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, as for the Lord and not for men, / because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/2-15.htm">2 Timothy 2:15</a></span><br />Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/exodus/30-34.htm">Moses</a> <a href="/exodus/30-22.htm">Speaketh</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/31-12.htm">Moses</a> <a href="/exodus/31-12.htm">Speaketh</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>Then the LORD</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the direct communication from God, highlighting His active role in guiding the Israelites. The use of "LORD" in all caps signifies the Hebrew name YHWH, the covenant name of God, underscoring His eternal and unchanging nature. This divine name is central to the identity of God as the one who delivered Israel from Egypt, as seen in <a href="/exodus/3-14.htm">Exodus 3:14-15</a>.<p><b>said to Moses</b><br>Moses is the chosen leader and prophet through whom God communicates His will to the people of Israel. This reflects the unique relationship between God and Moses, as described in <a href="/exodus/33-11.htm">Exodus 33:11</a>, where God speaks to Moses "face to face, as a man speaks to his friend." Moses serves as a mediator, a role that foreshadows the ultimate mediator, Jesus Christ, as described in <a href="/1_timothy/2-5.htm">1 Timothy 2:5</a>. Moses' leadership is crucial during the wilderness period, guiding the Israelites according to God's instructions.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal presence and faithfulness. In this context, He is the divine initiator of the instructions given to Moses.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to deliver His people from Egypt and to receive the Law on Mount Sinai. Moses acts as the mediator between God and the Israelites.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/m/mount_sinai.htm">Mount Sinai</a></b><br>Although not mentioned directly in this verse, it is the location where God communicates with Moses, providing the context for this divine instruction.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/d/divine_communication.htm">Divine Communication</a></b><br>God speaks to His chosen leaders to guide His people. This emphasizes the importance of listening to God's voice and being obedient to His instructions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/leadership_and_responsibility.htm">Leadership and Responsibility</a></b><br>Moses' role as a leader underscores the responsibility of those in leadership to faithfully convey God's commands to His people.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>The LORD's initiative in speaking to Moses highlights His sovereign control and purpose in guiding His people according to His divine plan.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/preparation_for_service.htm">Preparation for Service</a></b><br>Just as God prepared Moses for leadership, He prepares us for the tasks He calls us to, equipping us with the necessary skills and wisdom.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_in_small_things.htm">Faithfulness in Small Things</a></b><br>Moses' faithfulness in receiving and delivering God's instructions serves as a model for being faithful in the tasks God entrusts to us, no matter how small they may seem.<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/can_christians_join_entertainment.htm">Should Christians participate in the entertainment industry?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_exodus_31_3's_skills_be_validated.htm">Exodus 31:3 – How could a supernatural infusion of craftsmanship and skill be scientifically or historically validated? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_nomads_in_exodus_36_3-5_have_wealth.htm">In Exodus 36:3–5, how is it possible for a nomadic people in the wilderness to possess and contribute such abundant resources? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_israelites_learn_to_craft_gold.htm">Exodus 39:30–31: Where would Israelite artisans gain the advanced metallurgical knowledge to create the gold plate with the inscription “Holy to the Lord”? </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>XXXI.<p>THE APPOINTMENT OF BEZALEEL AND AHOLIAB.</span><p>(1-11) The instructions needed for the making of the tabernacle, its furniture, and the priests' dresses, were now complete. Moses was sufficiently informed, by what he had heard and seen, both as to the "Tent of Meeting" itself, and as to all its appurtenances and paraphernalia. But Moses was not himself an artist. Among the branches of knowledge comprised in his Egyptian education the skill of the artistic constructor had not been included. (See <span class= "ital">Excursus </span>B. at the end of the Book.) It was therefore necessary that the manual work of carrying out the instructions given him should be entrusted to others. We might have expected that it would have been left to Moses to select the individuals from among the thousands of artificers who had accompanied him out of Egypt. But God saw fit to mark the importance of the work by taking the direct appointment of the persons to be employed upon Himself. He knew what was in man. He knew to whom he had given the highest artistic power, and who at the same time that they possessed it would work in the most religious spirit. He accordingly named two persons, Bezaleel and Aholiab, as those to whom the superintendence of the whole business should be given. Bezaleel was to be leader and chief, Aholiab assistant. Bezaleel's task was to be general, Aholiab's, apparently, special (<a href="/exodus/38-23.htm" title="And with him was Aholiab, son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver, and a cunning workman, and an embroiderer in blue, and in purple, and in scarlet, and fine linen.">Exodus 38:23</a>). Both, however, were to receive the special assistance of God's Holy Spirit for the due execution of their respective tasks (<a href="/context/exodus/31-3.htm" title="And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,">Exodus 31:3-6</a>), and both, as chosen instruments of God, and faithful workers in His service, had their names equally commemorated in His Holy Book, and were thus upheld as examples to future ages.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/31.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 1-11.</span> - THE CALL OF BEZALEEL AND AHOLIAB. The directions for the construction of the tabernacle and its furniture being now complete, and the composition of the holy oil and the holy incense having been laid down minutely, it only remained to designate the persons to whom the oversight of the work was to be especially entrusted. These were to be two - Bezaleel, of the tribe of Judah, as head and chief; Aholiab, of the tribe of Dan, as his assistant. There can be no doubt that they were selected, primarily, as already possessing superior artistic powers and acquirements; but in appointing them God promised an infusion of special wisdom and knowledge, so that they were at once naturally and supernaturally fitted for their task. It is important to note that artistic ability is thus distinctly recognised as being quite as much a gift of God as any other, and indeed as coming to man through the Spirit of God (ver. 3). Artistic excellence is not a thing to be despised. It is very capable of abuse; but in itself it is a high gift, bestowed by God on a few only, with the special intent that it should be used to his honour and glory - not indeed in his direct service only - but always so as to improve, elevate, refine mankind, and thus help towards the advancement of God's kingdom <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/exodus/31-1.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">Then the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">said</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר</span> <span class="translit">(way·ḏab·bêr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1696.htm">Strong's 1696: </a> </span><span class="str2">To arrange, to speak, to subdue</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Moses,</span><br /><span class="heb">מֹשֶׁ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(mō·šeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4872.htm">Strong's 4872: </a> </span><span class="str2">Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/31-1.htm">Exodus 31:1 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/exodus/31-1.htm">Exodus 31:1 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/exodus/31-1.htm">Exodus 31:1 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/exodus/31-1.htm">Exodus 31:1 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/exodus/31-1.htm">Exodus 31:1 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/31-1.htm">Exodus 31:1 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/31-1.htm">Exodus 31:1 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/31-1.htm">Exodus 31:1 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/31-1.htm">Exodus 31:1 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/exodus/31-1.htm">Exodus 31:1 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/exodus/31-1.htm">OT Law: Exodus 31:1 Yahweh spoke to Moses saying (Exo. Ex) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/exodus/30-38.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Exodus 30:38"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Exodus 30:38" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/exodus/31-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Exodus 31:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Exodus 31:2" /></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>