Exodus 36:1-2

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 36:1-7

I. The workmen set in without delay. Then they wrought, Exod. 36:1. When God had qualified them for the work, then they applied themselves to it. Note, The talents we are entrusted with must not be laid up, but laid out; not hid in a napkin, but traded with. What have we all our gifts for, but to do good with them? They began when Moses called them, Exod. 36:2. Even those whom God has qualified for, and inclined to, the service of the tabernacle, yet must wait for a regular call to it, either... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 36:1

Then wrought Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man ,.... Or every ingenious artificer under them: when they began to work is not precisely said, but it is very probable they set about it directly, as soon as they were furnished with materials for it, nor is it said where they wrought; it is very likely there was a particular place, where they were ranged according to their respective manufactories, and where they did their work under the inspection, and by the direction of these... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 36:2

And Moses called Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man ,.... It was not enough that they had qualifications for this work, but they must have a call to it from Moses, to whom the whole affair was committed, to see that it was done according to the pattern shown him in the mount: so all that are concerned in the public work and service of the church of God should have a call unto it both from the Lord and from the church: in whose heart the Lord had put wisdom, even everyone... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 36:1

Then wrought, etc. - The first verse of this chapter should end the preceding chapter, and this should begin with verse the second; as it now stands, it does not make a very consistent sense. By reading the first word ועשה veasah , then wrought, in the future tense instead of the past, the proper connection will be preserved: for all grammarians know that the conjunction ו vau is often conversive, i.e., it turns the preterite tense of those verbs to which it is prefixed into the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 36:1

Verse 1 1.Then wrought Bezaleel and Aholiab. Although Moses might have seemed to be unnecessarily prolix in recording the injunctions which God gave respecting the building of the tabernacle, yet he repeats the same narrative here almost in the same words; and this he does with the best design, and for very good reasons. For it was of much importance that it might be seen by actual comparison how exactly the artificers had conformed everything to the pattern laid down by God: and this, not only... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 36:2

Verse 2 2.And Moses called Bezaleel and Aholiab. It is not without reason that Moses so often exalts the grace of God’s Spirit in the ingenuity and artistic skill of the workmen. In the first place he speaks of them as skillful architects, and then, by way of correction, adds that they were furnished from above with such intelligence. Thus the absurdity of the Papists is refuted, who, in order to prove free-will, think it sufficient to drag forward the passages in which rectitude of will is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 36:1

Then wrought Bezaleel, etc. This is introductory to the entire sub-section, which extends to the end of Exodus 39:1-43 . It means—"Then, under the direction of Bezaleel and Aholiab, began the work of constructing that place of meeting for which commandment had been given to Moses in the mount." The master-craftsmen, and those under them, "wrought," and took care that all was done according to all that the Lord had commanded. It is to mark the exactitude of the obedience that chs. 36-39,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 36:1-38

THE PROGRESS OF THE WORK , AND THE SUPERFLUOUS LIBERALITY OF THE PEOPLE — THE LATTER HAS TO BE RESTRAINED ( Exodus 36:3-7 ). Bezaleel and Aholiab felt that the time for action was now come. They at once addressed themselves to their task. Moses delivered into their hands all the various offerings which the people, rich and poor, had brought in ( Exodus 35:21-29 ); and skilled workmen were immediately called upon to shape it for the designed uses. The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 36:2-3

Moses called Bezaleel , etc. Having received sufficient materials for a beginning, Moses summoned Bezaleel, Aholiab, and their chief assistants, to his presence, and delivered into their hands the various offerings—the wood, the metal, the precious stones, the thread, the goats' hair, the rams' skins, the seals' skins, etc. Upon these materials they proceeded at once to work. They brought yet unto him free offerings every morning. The people still continued to give. Freewill offerings kept... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Exodus 36:1

See the notes to Exodus 26:0. read more

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