The Covenants

Exoduschapter 31

18 verses · ASV

This chapter sends 135 cross-references outward and receives 118 — heaviest partner: Exodus.

Chapter summary

Bezaleel and Aholiab called by name and filled with the Spirit of God in wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and all manner of workmanship — to devise cunning works in gold, silver, and brass, in stone-cutting and wood-carving, to make all the furnishings of the tabernacle. The Sabbath once more enjoined: ‘it is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever’. The two tables of testimony are given to Moses at last — ‘tables of stone, written with the finger of God’. The first mention of the Spirit filling a man for task-work in Scripture. Artistry and Sabbath framed together — worship and rest.

Drafted from Matthew Henry, Calvin, Gill, Clarke, JFB, and Barnes.

Context

Law · Moses — see the Exodus overview for the book's full setting.

16–18 The Covenants

1 And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying,

2 See, 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 manner of workmanship,

4 to devise skilful 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 manner of workmanship.

6 And 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:

7 the tent of meeting, and the ark of the testimony, and the mercy-seat that is thereupon, and all the furniture of the Tent,

8 and the table and its vessels, and the pure candlestick with all its vessels, and the altar of incense,