Exodus 31:2-11 ASV

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 31:7

The tabernacle of the congregation ,.... That is, they had wisdom given to make that according to the pattern showed to Moses, and under the direction of the two above persons, to whom Moses communicated it; and from henceforward, in this and some following verses, mention is made of the various things wrought by these subordinate workmen; first the house, and then the furniture of it, as follows: and the ark of the testimony, and the mercy seat that is thereupon, and all the furniture of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 31:8

And the table and his furniture ,.... The shewbread table, with its dishes, spoons, and bowls, Exodus 25:23 . and the pure candlestick with all his furniture ; called "pure", because made of pure gold, and was to be kept pure and clean by the priests, and in which pure oil olive was burnt, and gave a clear light; its furniture were its lamps, tongs, and snuff dishes, Exodus 25:31 . and the altar of incense : made of shittim wood covered with gold, Exodus 30:1 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 31:9

And the altar of burnt offering with all his furniture ,.... Which was made of shittim wood covered with brass; its furniture were its pans, shovels, basins, &c.; Exodus 27:1 . and the laver and his foot ; for the priests to wash their hands and feet at, Exodus 30:18 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 31:10

And the clothes of service ,.... Either those the priests ministered in in the time of service, and which they never wore but when in it, and so might with propriety be so called, and what they were the following words explain; or else these were clothes of blue, purple, and scarlet, and coverings of badgers' skins, in which the ark, the shewbread table, the candlestick, and the golden altar, and other instruments of the tabernacle were wrapped, as Aben Ezra observes, when the Israelites... read more

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

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

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

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

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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 31:7

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 31:8

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 31:9

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 31:10

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