Exodus 31:3 kjv

And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,

Exodus 31:3 nkjv

And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,

Exodus 31:3 niv

and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills?

Exodus 31:3 esv

and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship,

Exodus 31:3 nlt

I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts.

Exodus 31 verses

Exodus 31 3 Meaning

Exodus 31:3 declares that the Most High God divinely empowered Bezalel for the sacred work of constructing the Tabernacle. This filling with the Spirit of God bestowed upon him extraordinary wisdom, insight, and knowledge for all manner of craftsmanship required for God's dwelling place. It highlights that Bezalel's artistic and technical abilities were not merely natural talents but supernatural endowments, enabling him to accurately execute the divine blueprint given to Moses. This divine filling underscores the sacred nature of the work and the source of true human capability for God's purposes.

Exodus 31 3 Context

Exodus chapters 25-30 detail God's elaborate and precise instructions to Moses on Mount Sinai concerning the design and construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings, priestly garments, and anointing oil. This detailed blueprint revealed God's desire to dwell among His people. Exodus 31 then introduces the divine appointment of Bezalel and Oholiab, specifying that God Himself has chosen and uniquely equipped Bezalel for this colossal task. The immediate context of Exodus 31:3 follows God’s naming of Bezalel as the chosen master craftsman. Historically, this occurs as Israel prepares to journey from Sinai towards the Promised Land, necessitating a central place of worship and divine presence that can be portable. The meticulous instructions and divine enablement emphasize the sacredness and importance of worshipping God according to His prescribed way, setting the nascent nation apart from surrounding cultures that fashioned deities and temples by human imagination.

Exodus 31 3 Word analysis

• and I have filled him: The Hebrew word for "filled" is male (מָלֵא). This signifies a complete and abundant impartation, not merely a slight influence. The action is explicitly attributed to God ("I have filled"), emphasizing the divine initiative and the supernatural nature of the endowment. It indicates a plenary supply, making Bezalel thoroughly equipped for his task.
• with the Spirit of God: The Hebrew is ruach Elohim (רוּחַ אֱלֹהִים). Ruach typically means "wind," "breath," or "spirit," denoting a dynamic, invisible force. Elohim is a common plural name for God, often conveying His majesty and power as Creator. This phrase here denotes a special, divine animating power that grants exceptional abilities. It is not just human talent refined, but a divine enablement for a sacred purpose, harkening back to God's Spirit active in creation (Gen 1:2). This is the first recorded instance of an individual being filled with the Spirit for a specific professional vocation, preceding its manifestation for leadership, prophecy, or battle.
• with skill: The Hebrew is chochmah (חָכְמָה). This term translates as "wisdom," encompassing not merely intellectual knowledge but profound practical insight, good judgment, and the ability to apply knowledge effectively. It's wisdom for execution, enabling one to design and build accurately according to divine specifications. In the biblical sense, true chochmah is rooted in the fear of the LORD.
• with intelligence: The Hebrew is tevunah (תְבוּנָה). This means "understanding" or "discernment." It speaks to the capacity for deep comprehension, connecting various pieces of knowledge, perceiving relationships, and grasping intricate details. It's the ability to grasp the how and why, going beyond simple knowledge to intuitive insight into design and function.
• and with knowledge: The Hebrew is da'at (דַּעַת). This term refers to specific, acquired information and practical know-how. It is the familiarity with techniques, materials, and processes required for various crafts. This is distinct from chochmah (wisdom to apply) and tevunah (understanding how things relate), focusing on the actual body of facts and operational proficiency.
• in all craftsmanship: The Hebrew is b'chol mela'khah (בְּכָל מְלָאכָה). Mela'khah means "work," "occupation," or "skilled labor." The phrase "all craftsmanship" indicates the wide spectrum of abilities needed for the Tabernacle: working with gold, silver, bronze, cutting stones, carving wood, weaving fine linen, and possibly overseeing other skilled workers. It signifies mastery over diverse and complex artistic and construction trades. This divine equipping ensures that no detail of the divine blueprint is beyond Bezalel's capability to execute.

Exodus 31 3 Bonus section

• Divine Initiative and Selection: Bezalel's giftings were not sought by him but bestowed by God who "filled him." This underscores God's active involvement in selecting and equipping those He calls to serve Him, regardless of the nature of the task.
• A Prototype for Spiritual Gifts: Bezalel serves as an Old Testament prototype for the concept of spiritual gifts found more fully developed in the New Testament. Just as God equipped Bezalel for the Tabernacle work, the Holy Spirit equips believers with diverse gifts (e.g., in 1 Cor 12; Rom 12) for the building up of the church, the dwelling place of God's Spirit in the New Covenant.
• Craftsmanship as Sacred Art: This verse consecrates craftsmanship and artistic skill, elevating them as avenues through which God's presence and glory can be manifested. It speaks to the sacred potential of all human creativity when submitted to God's purpose.
• Distinction from Egyptian Practices: In a world where temple building and artistry were often intertwined with pagan idolatry, God's explicit empowerment of Bezalel ensured that the Tabernacle was constructed according to divine, not human, wisdom and served a holy God. This implicitly critiques humanistic or polytheistic approaches to sacred architecture prevalent in that era.

Exodus 31 3 Commentary

Exodus 31:3 establishes a foundational biblical truth: God sovereignly gifts individuals with supernatural abilities for specific tasks within His divine plan. Bezalel's endowment with the Spirit of God for craftsmanship is unique and profound. It elevates artistic and technical skills to the realm of spiritual gifts when employed for God's glory. His role was not to innovate upon God's design, but to meticulously translate a heavenly vision into earthly reality, demonstrating perfect obedience empowered by divine Spirit. This verse dismantles any perceived hierarchy between "spiritual" and "secular" vocations, revealing that God's Spirit can fill a craftsman as much as a prophet, enabling practical service for His kingdom. This filling is not contingent on inherent human talent alone but is a deliberate act of divine enablement to accomplish sacred purposes, echoing throughout scripture in instances where the Spirit empowers individuals for leadership, prophecy, and various forms of service in the New Covenant. It highlights God's holistic interest in the precise execution of His will, equipping His chosen ones with all necessary intellectual and practical capabilities.