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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 31:1-11

A great deal of fine work God had ordered to be done about the tabernacle; the materials the people were to provide, but who must put them into form? Moses himself was learned in all the learning of the Egyptians, nay, he was well acquainted with the words of God, and the visions of the Almighty; but he knew not how to engrave or embroider. We may suppose that there were some very ingenious men among the Israelites; but, having lived all their days in bondage in Egypt, we cannot think they... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 31:2

See, I have called by name Bezaleel ,.... Had pitched upon, chosen, and distinguished him particularly from all other men to be the architect or chief master builder of the tabernacle, and to be the director and overseer of the whole work relating to it: the Targums of Jonathan and Jerusalem paraphrase it,""I have called with a good name Bezaleel";'as if respect was to be had to his name Bezaleel, as given him by God, and very expressive and significant; whereas the phrase of calling "by... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 31:3

And I have filled him with the Spirit of God ,.... Not with the special graces of the Spirit, or with spiritual gifts fitting for spiritual service in the knowledge of spiritual things, and the instruction of men in them, though, no doubt, he might have them; but with the gifts of ingenuity and skill in manual arts, and mechanical operations, as follows: in wisdom, and in understanding, and in all manner of workmanship ; these explain what is meant by the Spirit of God he was filled... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 31:4

To devise cunning works ,.... To invent, contrive, and draw patterns, for the weavers particularly, for the making of the curtains of the tabernacle, the vail of the most holy place, the ephod, and the curious girdle of it, which were made of cunning work, curiously wrought by the weaver; and so Jarchi interprets this of the weaving of the work of Chosheb, or cunning work, of the devising of cunning works, or of the knowledge of witty inventions, by Wisdom or the Messiah, see Proverbs 8:12 ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 31:5

And in cutting of stones to set them ,.... Not of marble stones, or of any common stones used in building, and the cutting and hewing of them to be laid therein, for of those there was no use in the tabernacle; but of precious stones, and the cutting of them, and setting of them in their ouches or enclosures, as the onyx stones on the shoulders of the high priest, and the twelve precious stones in his breastplate: Bezaleel was taught by the Spirit of God the art of jewelling, and instructed... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 31:6

And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan ,.... To be a partner with him, and to assist in the direction and oversight of the work of the tabernacle; which was done that there might appear to be a sufficiency in the direction, and that too much honour might not be given to one tribe; and it is observable, that as Solomon of the tribe of Judah was the builder of the temple, one of the tribe of Dan also was a principal artificer in it, 2... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 31:2

I have called by name Bezaleel - That is, I have particularly appointed this person to be the chief superintendent of the whole work. His name is significant, בצלאל betsal - el , in or under the shadow of God, meaning, under the especial protection of the Most High. He was the son of Uri, the son of Hur, the son of Caleb or Chelubai, the son of Esron, the son of Pharez, the son of Judah. See 1 Chronicles 2:5 , 1 Chronicles 2:9 , 1 Chronicles 2:18 , 1 Chronicles 2:19 , 1... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 31:3

I have filled him with the spirit of God - See Clarke's note on Exodus 28:3 . In wisdom - חכמה , chochmah , from חכם chacham , to be wise, skillful, or prudent, denoting the compass of mind and strength of capacity necessary to form a wise man: hence our word wisdom, the power of judging what is wise or best to be done; from the Saxon, to teach, to advise, and to judge; hence the doom or judgment of the well taught, wise, or prudent man. Understanding - תבונה tebunah ,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 31:4

Cunning works - מחשבת machashaboth , works of invention or genius, in the goldsmith and silversmith line. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 31:5

In cutting of stones, etc. - Every thing that concerned the lapidary's, jeweler's, and carver's art. read more

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