And he hath filled him with the Spirit of God ,.... This and the two following verses contain the account of the qualifications of Bezaleel, which he had in an extraordinary manner from the Lord, and these are expressed in the same words as in Exodus 31:3 ; see Gill on Exodus 31:3 , Exodus 31:4 , Exodus 31:5 . read more
And he hath put in his heart that he may teach ,.... Instruct others in the things be had knowledge of; the Lord not only gave him gifts of wisdom, understanding, and knowledge, to devise and contrive curious works, and how to perform them, but gave him a capacity, and inclined his mind to teach others, how to work these works; for not all that have knowledge have a capacity and a will to teach others also; this is of God: both he, and Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan ... read more
Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart ,.... Or wisdom in their heart, a large measure of it, signified by their being filled with it; and whatever wisdom men have, whether in things natural, civil, moral, or spiritual, it is all of God: this was to work all manner of work, of the engraver ; which the setting of stones in the ephod or breastplate required: and of the cunning workman ; and such an one was necessary for the making the curtains of the tabernacle, the vail between the... read more
Verse 31 31.And he hath filled him with the spirit of God. He again magnifies at greater length the excellence of genius and ability, (which had been given to Bezaleel.) (296) For it was a remarkable instance of God’s power, that, after the Israelites had been so contemptuously and oppressively enslaved, there should exist in their nation men still endowed with such talent. God is said to have “filled him with the Spirit of God,” i e. , with the Divine Spirit; in order that we may understand... read more
Master-Craftsmen. The qualities needed for a master-craftsman are fourfold. These are here enumerated ( Exodus 35:31 ) as— I. WISDOM (Hebrews khakam ; LXX . σοφία ; Vulg. sapientia ), the highest gift of all—the power of original conception, which, if he combines with it the other necessary qualities, makes the true artist, the master-workman, in whatsoever branch of art his work may lie. This is appropriately placed first as the most necessary quality for those who are to... read more
Bezaleel and Aholiab . Note— I. THE FACT THAT THE LORD CHOSE MEN TO DO THE WORK . It might have been otherwise. As the people were requested of their free-will to provide the materials, so they might have been requested to provide the necessary artificers. But it is easy to see what differences and jealousies might have resulted, all to end in some unsatisfactory compromise. There was no difficulty as long as each one gave of his own decision; and what further... read more
Bezaleel and Aholiab. See Homily on Exodus 31:1-12 .— J . O . read more
Correspond almost word for word with Exodus 35:3-5 of Exodus 31:1-18 ; q . vide . read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 35:30-35
Here is the divine appointment of the master-workmen, that there might be no strife for the office, and that all who were employed in the work might take direction from, and give account to, these general inspectors; for God is the God of order and not of confusion. Observe, 1. Those whom God called by name to this service he filled with the Spirit of God, to qualify them for it, Exod. 35:30, 31. Skill in secular employments is God's gift, and comes from above, Jas. 1:17. From him the faculty... read more