Exodus 31 12

Exodus 31:12 kjv

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

Exodus 31:12 nkjv

And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

Exodus 31:12 niv

Then the LORD said to Moses,

Exodus 31:12 esv

And the LORD said to Moses,

Exodus 31:12 nlt

The LORD then gave these instructions to Moses:

Exodus 31 verses

Exodus 31 12 Meaning

Exodus 31:12 introduces a direct and authoritative divine communication from YHWH, the covenant God of Israel, to Moses, His chosen intermediary. It serves as a preamble, signaling that the subsequent words are not Moses's thoughts or interpretations but precisely spoken divine commands, carrying supreme weight and requiring complete obedience. This verse specifically sets the stage for God's instructions concerning the strict observance and perpetual significance of the Sabbath.

Exodus 31 12 Context

Exodus 31:12 comes immediately after God's detailed instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings (Exod 25-31:11), along with the specific calling and equipping of Bezalel and Oholiab to lead this work. This sequence is highly significant. Even amidst the meticulous and sacred work of preparing a dwelling place for God, there is an urgent and reiterated divine directive regarding the Sabbath. The verse initiates a section (Exod 31:12-17) that highlights the paramount importance of the Sabbath as a perpetual sign of the covenant between God and Israel, underscoring that the spiritual relationship (symbolized by Sabbath observance) supersedes even the most sacred ritual practices or physical construction efforts. Historically, this emphasized Israel's unique identity as a covenant people, distinct from surrounding nations whose religious practices lacked such a personal, regular, and morally weighty divine command.

Exodus 31 12 Word analysis

• And (וַיְדַבֵּר - wa·yə·ḏab·bêr): The conjunctive "and" serves to link this new directive closely with the preceding narrative, showing a continuous stream of divine instruction. The prefixed 'waw' (and) denotes sequence and continuity.

• the LORD (יְהוָה - YHWH): This is the Tetragrammaton, the unpronounceable personal and covenantal name of God. It signifies His eternal, self-existent nature and His faithfulness to His covenant with Israel. The use of this specific name underscores the absolute authority and intimacy of the divine speaker. It emphasizes that it is the God who revealed Himself to Moses at the burning bush and delivered Israel from Egypt, who is now speaking.

• spake (וַיְדַבֵּר - wa·yə·ḏab·bêr): From the Hebrew root davar (דָּבַר), meaning "to speak," "to command," "to declare." This Hifil imperfect verb (though often rendered as a simple past in English due to context) implies a declarative, authoritative, and often prescriptive type of speech, indicating an intentional and weighty utterance, not merely casual talk. It implies communication of specific content.

• unto Moses (אֶל-מֹשֶׁה - ’el-mō·šeh): This phrase clearly identifies the direct recipient of God's word. It highlights Moses' unique role as God's chosen prophet, mediator, and messenger to the Israelites. God did not speak to the entire congregation at this point, but channeled His words through Moses.

• saying (לֵאמֹר - lē·’mōr): This common Hebrew infinitive construct literally means "to say" or "by saying." It functions as an idiom that reliably introduces direct speech or a verbatim quotation. Its presence assures the audience that what follows are the precise words spoken by God Himself, adding weight to their divine origin and mandating their reception as divine revelation.

• "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying": This entire phrase constitutes a classic formula for divine revelation throughout the Pentateuch, especially in legal and instructional texts (Leviticus and Numbers are replete with it). It functions as a legal and theological stamp of authenticity, asserting the immediate, unmediated divine origin of the subsequent message. It communicates supreme authority, removes any doubt about the source of the coming commandments, and places a strong emphasis on the absolute necessity for the recipient (Moses, and by extension, Israel) to heed these divinely issued decrees. The pattern reiterates that the law and all specific commands originate from God's holy mouth.

Exodus 31 12 Bonus section

The prevalence of the "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying" formula throughout the Mosaic law (found hundreds of times, especially in Leviticus and Numbers) emphasizes several key theological concepts:

• Divine Initiative: God is always the primary agent of revelation. He initiates communication with humanity.
• Moses' Unique Role: This consistent formula solidifies Moses' position as the unique prophet and law-giver for Israel in his time, functioning as God's authoritative mouthpiece.
• Distinction from Human Law: It constantly reminds the people that the laws they live by are not human traditions or mere suggestions but divine decrees, separating Israel's law from that of other nations based on human reason or ancestral customs.
• Foundation for Obedience: Understanding that the word comes directly from God Himself provides the ultimate impetus and rationale for strict adherence. It transforms the law from a burden into a response to the holy and loving God.
• Unity of the Law: The consistent divine speaker across various laws (ritual, civil, moral) indicates a single, unified divine will underlying all of Israel's covenant stipulations.

Exodus 31 12 Commentary

Exodus 31:12 is a foundational statement that frames the revelation of the Sabbath laws. It's not merely a transitional phrase but a vital affirmation of divine authority. Coming right after extensive plans for the Tabernacle, this verse subtly redirects focus from physical construction, however sacred, back to the foundational spiritual relationship between God and His people, symbolized preeminently by the Sabbath. The repetition of the formal address ("the LORD spake unto Moses, saying") underlines the gravity of the instructions that follow. This structure teaches that divine presence (Tabernacle) and divine commandment (Sabbath) are inextricably linked. The holy work of building a sanctuary for God does not supersede but rather must be understood within the larger framework of obedience to His covenant commands, of which the Sabbath is a core tenet. The very act of God speaking is an act of covenant maintenance and relational engagement with His people.