Exodus 31:2 kjv

See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah:

Exodus 31:2 nkjv

"See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah.

Exodus 31:2 niv

"See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah,

Exodus 31:2 esv

"See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah,

Exodus 31:2 nlt

"Look, I have specifically chosen Bezalel son of Uri, grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah.

Exodus 31 verses

Exodus 31 2 Meaning

Exodus 31:2 signifies a direct, specific, and personal divine appointment. God declares His intentional selection of Bezalel from the tribe of Judah to be the chief artisan and builder for the Tabernacle and its furnishings. This verse highlights that God Himself initiates and provides the individuals with the necessary gifts and calling to accomplish His divine purposes, ensuring His intricate plans are executed precisely as intended. It emphasizes God's sovereign choice and personal knowledge of those He appoints for sacred tasks, even those involving artistic and technical skill.

Exodus 31 2 Context

Exodus chapter 31 comes immediately after the detailed instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle, its furnishings, and the priestly garments (chapters 25-30), as well as the institution of the Sabbath (chapter 31:12-17). After giving the blueprint for His dwelling place among His people, God now moves to reveal how these elaborate and precise plans will be executed. This verse specifically introduces the chief craftsman God has chosen and gifted for this monumental task. It serves as a vital transition, emphasizing that while the divine command for the Tabernacle's construction is given to all the people of Israel, the specific enabling and execution comes through divinely selected individuals. This immediate identification of Bezalel demonstrates God's foreknowledge, detailed provision, and active involvement in all aspects of establishing His covenant with Israel, from law-giving to dwelling-building.

Exodus 31 2 Word analysis

• "See," (רְאֵה, re'eh): This is an imperative verb, a command from God, signifying "pay attention!" or "behold!" It serves as a solemn and emphatic declaration, drawing Moses'—and by extension, Israel's—attention to a crucial divine pronouncement that is about to follow. It underscores the profound significance and directness of the subsequent divine action.

• "I have called" (קָרָאתִי, karati): This indicates a completed action initiated solely by God. It is an active, definitive statement of divine election and commissioning. Bezalel's selection is not a human decision, nomination, or self-appointed role, but a direct, sovereign act of God. This highlights divine prerogative and Bezalel's destiny.

• "by name" (בְּשֵׁם, b'shem): This phrase denotes personal, specific, and intimate knowledge. God's call is not generic but precisely directed to an individual, recognizing his unique identity and purpose. To be called "by name" in ancient contexts conveyed deep familiarity, authority, and often a designation for a specific task or relationship. It underscores the deliberate and personal nature of God's choice.

• "Bezalel" (בְּצַלְאֵל, betzal'el): This proper name holds significant meaning: "In the shadow/protection of God." The name itself subtly points to the divine enablement and presence that would accompany him in his work. His very identity, in essence, signifies that his skills and his task are inherently connected to and enveloped by God's guiding presence.

• "the son of Uri, son of Hur,": This establishes Bezalel's direct lineage, affirming his identity and legitimacy within the community. It provides context for his family background. Hur, Bezalel's grandfather, is notable as a trusted companion of Moses and Aaron (Ex 17:10, Ex 24:14), suggesting that Bezalel hailed from a family respected for its integrity and association with leadership. This lineage further validated Bezalel's divine appointment among the Israelites.

• "of the tribe of Judah.": This tribal affiliation is highly significant. Judah was a prominent tribe, prophesied to hold a scepter of rule (Gen 49:10) and later the tribe from which King David and the Messiah would come. Importantly, Bezalel is not from the priestly tribe of Levi, demonstrating that God's chosen instruments for sacred work are not limited to religious specialists but can come from any segment of His people, and that skill for worship goes beyond ritual to creative craftsmanship.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "See, I have called by name Bezalel": This emphatic phrase combines divine command ("See"), divine action ("I have called"), and divine intimacy ("by name") with the specific chosen individual ("Bezalel"). It underscores the deliberate and personal nature of God's sovereign election and commissioning for a specific task.
  • "Bezalel... of the tribe of Judah": This connection highlights the breadth of God's call beyond expected roles (Levites for sacred duties). It emphasizes that God raises up leaders and skilled workers from various tribes, pointing to His diverse use of His people's gifts and foreshadowing the prominence of Judah in God's redemptive plan, despite the priestly tribe being Levi.

Exodus 31 2 Bonus section

This verse establishes a foundational principle of divine vocation: God not only gives a command or a vision but also actively provides the precise and gifted individuals necessary for its fulfillment. Bezalel serves as a prototype of a Spirit-filled craftsman, a testament that creative and practical abilities, often viewed as purely secular, are profoundly sacred when applied to God's service. This passage transcends the immediate context of the Tabernacle, prefiguring the New Testament concept of spiritual gifts within the body of Christ (e.g., Eph 4:11-12, 1 Cor 12). Just as Bezalel was "filled with the Spirit of God" for specific practical tasks (Ex 31:3), believers are supernaturally enabled by the Holy Spirit with diverse gifts—whether in leadership, teaching, helps, or acts of service—all for the edification of God's people and the glory of His name. Thus, Exodus 31:2 broadens our understanding of ministry to include every Spirit-enabled skill dedicated to building up God's dwelling, whether that be a physical structure or His spiritual temple of believers.

Exodus 31 2 Commentary

Exodus 31:2 presents a pivotal theological statement: God's direct involvement in preparing individuals for the specific tasks He sets forth. After providing exhaustive blueprints for the Tabernacle, God reveals that He Himself will supply the human agency for its construction. Bezalel's appointment is not a communal decision or an exhibition of self-willed piety, but a direct, sovereign act of divine election. The emphasis on God calling Bezalel "by name" conveys the intimacy and intentionality of this choice, highlighting that God personally knows, chooses, and equips His servants. The naming of his lineage, particularly his connection to Hur, signifies not just the respectability of his family but potentially also its long-standing dedication and loyalty to God's leadership. Crucially, Bezalel's tribal affiliation as "of the tribe of Judah," rather than Levi, is noteworthy. This demonstrates that sacred service and divine gifting are not exclusive to the priestly class but extend to all the tribes of Israel. It elevates craftsmanship, art, and detailed technical skill to the level of divinely inspired ministry, as vital for God's glory as the priestly functions. This precedent reveals that any legitimate human skill, when consecrated and guided by God's Spirit, becomes a sacred gift for His purposes.