Exodus 31:1 kjv

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

Exodus 31:1 nkjv

Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying:

Exodus 31:1 niv

Then the LORD said to Moses,

Exodus 31:1 esv

The LORD said to Moses,

Exodus 31:1 nlt

Then the LORD said to Moses,

Exodus 31 verses

Exodus 31 1 Meaning

Exodus 31:1 states that the LORD, the covenant God, spoke directly to Moses to reveal His divine choice of a specific individual, Bezalel, son of Uri, son of Hur, from the tribe of Judah. This verse marks a pivotal transition from God providing the intricate architectural and material plans for the Tabernacle to Him appointing the precise person, endowed by Him, to oversee its construction and craftsmanship. It emphasizes God's sovereign initiative in selecting and designating individuals by name for specific, sacred tasks central to His redemptive plan.

Exodus 31 1 Context

Exodus 31:1 immediately follows detailed instructions concerning the Sabbath as a sign of the covenant between God and Israel (Exod 31:12-17). Chapters 25-30 are filled with God's intricate designs for the Tabernacle, its furnishings, and the garments for the priesthood. This verse shifts from the what of the sacred dwelling to the who —identifying the specific human agent God has chosen and prepared for the task of constructing it. It ensures Moses and the Israelites understand that the immense and precise work required for the Tabernacle is not left to chance, nor to human genius alone, but is empowered by divine selection and gifting. The broader context of Exodus portrays God’s rescue of Israel, establishment of the covenant, and then the provision for His presence among His people in the Tabernacle. Thus, this verse signifies God’s meticulous planning not only in design but also in execution through divinely chosen and enabled individuals.

Exodus 31 1 Word analysis

• The LORD (יְהוָה - YHWH): Refers to the personal, covenantal name of God. It signifies His unchanging nature, faithfulness, and active presence with His people. His divine authority undergirds all subsequent declarations.
• said (וַיְדַבֵּר - vay'dabber): A common Hebrew verb meaning "and He spoke." It emphasizes a direct, definitive, and authoritative communication from God to Moses, indicating a divine pronouncement or instruction.
• to Moses (אֶל-מֹשֶׁה - el Moshe): Highlights Moses' unique role as the primary intermediary through whom God communicates His will and commands to Israel.
• "See" (רְאֵה - r'eih): An imperative, demanding attention and conveying urgency or particular importance. It’s God drawing Moses' specific awareness to the divine choice about to be announced. It signifies a divine declaration of a pre-established fact that Moses is now to behold and acknowledge.
• "I have called" (קָרָאתִי - kara'ti): A perfect tense verb, indicating a completed action with lasting effects. God's act of calling Bezalel was pre-ordained and decisive, not a recent or spontaneous decision. It underscores God's sovereignty and initiative.
• "by name" (בְשֵׁם - b'shem): Signifies a highly personal, intimate, and specific appointment. It means God knows and designates this individual precisely, not just generically. Calling "by name" implies a divine recognition of unique identity, purpose, and gifts tailored for a specific task.
• "Bezalel" (בְּצַלְאֵל - Betzalel): A name of great significance, meaning "in the shadow (or protection, or power) of God." This name inherently connects him to the divine presence and divine enabling, aligning perfectly with his calling to build God's dwelling place. His very identity foreshadows his Spirit-filled skill.
• "son of Uri" (בֶּן-אוּרִי - ben Uri): Uri means "my light" or "flame of the LORD." This establishes part of his lineage, connecting him through his father, ensuring proper identification and possibly suggesting a family line known for integrity or wisdom.
• "son of Hur" (בֶּן-חוּר - ben Hur): Hur was a notable figure in Israel, who, alongside Aaron, supported Moses' arms during the battle against Amalek (Exod 17:10-12) and was left in charge of the people with Aaron when Moses ascended Mount Sinai (Exod 24:14). This ancestry connects Bezalel to a respected and trusted family, lending credibility to his divine appointment.
• "of the tribe of Judah (לְמַטֵּה יְהוּדָה - l'matteh Yehudah): Specifies Bezalel's tribal affiliation. Judah was the largest and most prominent tribe, from which the kings would eventually come, including the Messiah (Gen 49:10). This indicates God's sovereign choice across tribal boundaries for particular tasks, and hints at the wider scope of divine purposes even in specific appointments. It underscores that God selects His servants from diverse backgrounds for His unified purposes.

Words-group analysis:

• "The LORD said to Moses": Establishes the divine source of authority and the designated human recipient of this revelation. It is a direct and weighty pronouncement from the sovereign God through His chosen leader.
• "See, I have called by name Bezalel": This phrase emphasizes the deliberate and intentional nature of God's selection. "See" demands attention, while "called by name" stresses personal knowledge and pre-ordination. God did not stumble upon Bezalel; He had a plan for him.
• "son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah": These details firmly ground Bezalel in Israel's genealogical and tribal structure. It is not an ethereal or symbolic calling, but a concrete designation of a known individual from a respected lineage. This attention to detail highlights the historicity and tangibility of God's providential care and choice.

Exodus 31 1 Bonus section

The immediate listing of Bezalel’s full lineage—father (Uri) and grandfather (Hur)—is notable. While common in genealogical contexts, here it adds gravitas to the divine pronouncement. Hur was a trusted elder who, along with Aaron, upheld Moses' hands (Exod 17:10-12) and was left in authority when Moses ascended Sinai (Exod 24:14). This prominent ancestry not only verifies Bezalel's identity but also connects him to a history of faithfulness and support within Israel's leadership, potentially suggesting an inherited predisposition towards service or an environment conducive to spiritual development. This emphasis on lineage, especially in the context of divine selection for a crucial task like the Tabernacle, subtly counters the idea that only the Levites or priests were truly "called by God." Here, an individual from the tribe of Judah, known more for leadership and royalty, is specifically chosen for an artistic and technical, yet deeply spiritual, undertaking. It highlights God's particularity in choice and the breadth of giftedness across all of His people for diverse roles in His kingdom.

Exodus 31 1 Commentary

Exodus 31:1 succinctly introduces God's chosen chief artisan for the Tabernacle, emphasizing His meticulous involvement in every detail of His dwelling place. This verse is profoundly significant as it underscores several core theological truths: God's sovereignty in calling and equipping, His personal knowledge of individuals, and the sacredness of all skills and abilities consecrated for His service. Bezalel's selection was not based on human committee, talent contests, or a vote, but solely on God's pre-ordained choice. His lineage further affirms his identity and integration into Israel's history, but it is God's call and Spirit that set him apart (as detailed in the subsequent verses). The fact that the artisan for God's holy dwelling is identified by name before any description of his skills demonstrates that divine appointment precedes and enables the exercise of divine gifts. It illustrates that God is interested not just in what is done, but who does it and how they are enabled. This principle extends to all believers today: every skill, no matter how seemingly secular, can be consecrated and used mightily by God when empowered by His Spirit for His glory.