Exodus 31 6

Exodus 31:6 kjv

And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan: and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee;

Exodus 31:6 nkjv

"And I, indeed I, have appointed with him Aholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; and I have put wisdom in the hearts of all the gifted artisans, that they may make all that I have commanded you:

Exodus 31:6 niv

Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given ability to all the skilled workers to make everything I have commanded you:

Exodus 31:6 esv

And behold, I have appointed with him Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. And I have given to all able men ability, that they may make all that I have commanded you:

Exodus 31:6 nlt

"And I have personally appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to be his assistant. Moreover, I have given special skill to all the gifted craftsmen so they can make all the things I have commanded you to make:

Exodus 31 verses

Exodus 31 6 Meaning

Exodus 31:6 reveals God's meticulous provision for the construction of the Tabernacle. Following His designation of Bezaleel, the Lord now declares He has appointed Aholiab, along with all those with wise hearts, to assist in crafting the sacred furnishings according to the precise divine commands given to Moses. This verse underscores that the necessary skill and understanding for this holy work originate not from human genius alone, but from God's direct empowerment and infusion of wisdom. It signifies that divine tasks are fulfilled by divinely-equipped individuals, working collaboratively under specific heavenly blueprints.

Exodus 31 6 Context

Exodus 31:6 is situated within the lengthy section (Ex 25-31) detailing the divine blueprint for the Tabernacle, its furnishings, and the priestly garments. Before the Golden Calf apostasy, God completes His comprehensive instructions by specifically identifying the master craftsmen responsible for executing this monumental task. This verse immediately follows God's detailed declaration about Bezaleel (31:1-5) and introduces his primary collaborator, Aholiab. The historical context is God establishing His dwelling place among newly delivered Israel, demanding absolute adherence to divine standards. Culturally, it sets the craftsmanship of the Tabernacle apart from pagan idolatry, emphasizing divine enablement over mere human skill for sacred purposes, and underlining that such works are to be precisely according to God's "commanded" pattern.

Exodus 31 6 Word analysis

• And I, behold, I have given

  • And I, behold (וְאֲנִי הִנֵּה - v’anī hinnēh): The doubling of the first-person pronoun "I" (אֲנִי) combined with "behold" (הִנֵּה) emphasizes God's direct, personal, and decisive action. It draws immediate attention to the divine initiative and sovereignty in the gifting. God Himself is the one bestowing.
  • have given (נָתַתִּי - nāttattī): Qal perfect verb, denoting a completed action with lasting effect. It signifies God's specific appointment and endowment. This is a definitive act of divine favor and commissioning.

• with him Aholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan:

  • with him: Indicates partnership and collaboration with Bezaleel, showing that God orchestrates teamwork in His work.
  • Aholiab (אָהֳלִיאָב - Oholiav): Meaning "My Tent/Tabernacle is Father" or "Father's Tent." His very name resonates with his divinely appointed task of building God's dwelling place. This is not coincidental, but providentially significant.
  • the son of Ahisamach (אֲחִיסָמָךְ - Ahisamakh): Meaning "Brother of Support" or "My Brother is Sustenance." This further reinforces the supportive and enabling role of Aholiab in the collective effort.
  • of the tribe of Dan: Dan was one of the twelve tribes, positioned on the outer perimeter of the camp, and not typically associated with prominent leadership roles or priestly lineage. God choosing a primary craftsman from Dan demonstrates His sovereignty to pick whomever He pleases for His work, regardless of tribal status, reinforcing that the ability comes from Him alone, not from a privileged background. It expands the scope of divine gifting beyond just leadership tribes.

• and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee:

  • in the hearts (בְּלֵב - b'lēv): In Hebrew thought, the heart is not merely the seat of emotions but the center of intellect, will, understanding, and decision-making. It implies an internal, fundamental transformation of capacity.
  • of all that are wise hearted (כָּל־חַכְמֵי לֵב - kol-khakhme lev): Lit. "all wise of heart." Refers to all skilled individuals within the community. It broadens the divine gifting from specific individuals (Bezaleel and Aholiab) to a wider group of people whom God also equipped, highlighting communal involvement.
  • I have put (נָתַתִּי - nāttattī): Same verb as "have given," reinforcing that the source of all practical skill and artistic intelligence for this project is God Himself. It is not self-developed or merely learned, but divinely infused.
  • wisdom (חָכְמָה - chokhmah): In this context, it refers to practical skill, insight, artistry, and the discernment needed for craftsmanship, not just theoretical knowledge. It implies an innate aptitude perfected by divine enablement.
  • that they may make (לַעֲשׂוֹת - la'asot): This purpose clause emphasizes the telos (goal) of God's endowment. The wisdom is granted for the purpose of doing the commanded work.
  • all that I have commanded thee: Underscores the critical requirement of obedience to God's precise blueprint. The giftedness is not for creative improvisation or personal expression apart from divine instruction, but for exact execution of God's will. It speaks to the holiness and perfection demanded for God's dwelling place.

Exodus 31 6 Bonus section

• The naming conventions in the Bible often hold theological significance. Aholiab's name, "My Tabernacle is Father," provides a direct linguistic link to his vocational calling, reflecting God's providential foreknowledge and preparation.
• This passage prefigures the New Covenant truth that God gifts every believer with spiritual abilities (charismata) for the edification of the body of Christ, His spiritual temple. Just as the Tabernacle was built by divinely-enabled craftsmen for a physical dwelling, the Church is built by Spirit-empowered believers for a spiritual dwelling of God.
• The meticulous detail of the Tabernacle's design, combined with the specific divine empowering of craftsmen, polemically contrasts with surrounding pagan practices. Unlike the creation of idols, which were human inventions crafted by human skill alone and became objects of worship, the Tabernacle's construction was wholly dependent on divine instruction and divine wisdom for God's exclusive dwelling and glory.
• The divine gifting in this verse covers a broad range of skills: "all manner of workmanship, of the cunning work, and of the embroidery, in blue, and in purple, and in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, even of those that do any work, and of those that devise cunning work" (Ex 35:35, reflecting this gift). This emphasizes God's delight in both artistic beauty and functional excellence for His house.

Exodus 31 6 Commentary

Exodus 31:6 offers profound insight into God's character and His working with humanity. It underscores that God, who intricately designed the Tabernacle, also providentially furnishes the precise human resources required to bring His design to fruition. The mention of Aholiab "with" Bezaleel immediately establishes a principle of collaborative ministry within God's service, demonstrating that no one works in isolation, and complementary gifts are essential. The particular selection of Aholiab from the tribe of Dan highlights God's sovereignty in choosing whom He wills, often outside conventional expectations, to magnify that the enablement is wholly divine.

Furthermore, the declaration that God "put wisdom" in "the hearts of all that are wise hearted" clarifies that even seemingly innate human talents, when dedicated to God's sacred purposes, are empowered and elevated by His divine touch. This wisdom is not abstract knowledge but practical, technical artistry directly aimed at the "making" of all that God commanded. This is a foundational theological truth: all genuine capability for God's kingdom work flows from His empowerment and is specifically purposed to fulfill His explicit instructions. It serves as a reminder that artistic and technical skills, often celebrated in the secular realm, find their highest purpose and perfect expression when submitted to and utilized for the glory and purposes of God according to His will.