Exodus 35 30

Exodus 35:30 kjv

And Moses said unto the children of Israel, See, the LORD hath called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah;

Exodus 35:30 nkjv

And Moses said to the children of Israel, "See, the LORD has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah;

Exodus 35:30 niv

Then Moses said to the Israelites, "See, the LORD has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah,

Exodus 35:30 esv

Then Moses said to the people of Israel, "See, the LORD has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah;

Exodus 35:30 nlt

Then Moses told the people of Israel, "The LORD has specifically chosen Bezalel son of Uri, grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah.

Exodus 35 verses

Exodus 35 30 Meaning

Moses announces to Israel that the Lord, through His direct and personal designation, has appointed Bezalel son of Uri, from the tribe of Judah, for the specific task of overseeing the Tabernacle's construction. This declaration highlights God's divine selection and supernatural empowerment for sacred work, emphasizing that Bezalel's exceptional artistic and technical skills are gifts divinely bestowed.

Exodus 35 30 Context

Exodus chapter 35 details Moses reiterating God's commands to the people of Israel regarding the construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings, alongside instructions for observing the Sabbath. Moses conveys the necessity of bringing freewill offerings and the call for skilled artisans to undertake this sacred work. The broader context of Exodus portrays God's deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage and their establishment as His covenant people at Mount Sinai. The Tabernacle, commanded by God, was designed to be His portable dwelling place among His people in the wilderness, central to their worship and His manifest presence. Moses's announcement in verse 30 specifically names and appoints Bezalel as the chief artisan, highlighting God's direct intervention in providing the specific leadership and talent needed for such a monumental and holy undertaking.

Exodus 35 30 Word analysis

• And Moses said: Signifies the authoritative relay of divine information to the people through God's chosen prophet and leader.
• to the children of Israel,: Identifies the collective recipients of this important revelation, emphasizing its communal significance for God's covenant nation.
• “See, (רְאוּ, re'u)": An emphatic imperative verb, commanding attention and requiring the Israelites to take notice and acknowledge the truth being presented. It points to a clear and evident divine act.
• the Lord (יְהוָה, YHWH): Refers to the self-existent, covenant-keeping God of Israel. This designation highlights that the calling originates from the ultimate, sovereign authority.
• has called (קָרָא, qara'): Meaning "to summon," "to proclaim," or "to name." This verb emphasizes God's proactive, intentional, and sovereign choice and designation.
• by name (בְּשֵׁם, b'shem): This intensifying phrase underlines the personal, specific, and intimate nature of God's selection. It conveys God's deep knowledge and direct choosing of this individual, distinct from a general selection.
• Bezalel (בְּצַלְאֵל, Bezal'el): His name means "in the shadow of God" or "in the protection of God." This is profoundly symbolic, indicating divine closeness, protection, and inspiration, suggesting that his work is executed directly under God's guidance and presence.
• the son of Uri (בֶּן־אוּרִי, ben-Uri): Uri means "my light" or "light of YHWH." This lineage might signify a family that was spiritually enlightened or walking in divine guidance.
• the son of Hur (בֶּן־חוּר, ben-Chur): Hur was a notable figure in Israel's early wilderness journey, aiding Moses and Aaron during the battle against Amalek (Exod 17:10, 12) and entrusted with leadership during Moses's ascent to Sinai (Exod 24:14). This ancestry connects Bezalel to a proven line of faithfulness and service within the community.
• of the tribe of Judah (לְמַטֵּה יְהוּדָה, l'matteh Yehudah);: Signifies Bezalel's tribal affiliation. Judah was prophesied to be the royal tribe, from which kings and ultimately the Messiah would come (Gen 49:10). This connects the craftsman of the Tabernacle to the foundational lineage of future leadership and redemptive history.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And Moses said to the children of Israel,": Establishes the authoritative mediation of God's command through Moses, signifying a public declaration from the leader to the gathered assembly, ensuring its recognition as divine will.
• "“See, the Lord has called by name": This phrase directs Israel's focused attention to a significant and direct act of divine selection. The inclusion of "by name" personalizes God's choice, highlighting His intimate knowledge of Bezalel and distinguishing this appointment as intentional and precise.
• "Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur,": Provides specific ancestral identification, embedding Bezalel's call within his family's spiritual heritage. The names "Bezalel" ("in God's shadow") and "Uri" ("my light") add spiritual depth, while "Hur" establishes a link to known faithful leadership, enhancing Bezalel's credibility and the significance of his lineage.
• "of the tribe of Judah;": Specifies the tribal origin, adding a layer of communal identity and significance. Given Judah's destiny as the royal and messianic tribe, this tribal affiliation implicitly connects the construction of God's dwelling place to God's broader redemptive plan for kingship and salvation.

Exodus 35 30 Bonus section

• The divine calling of Bezalel for detailed craftsmanship serves as a counter-cultural statement against ancient Near Eastern pagan practices, where artistic skill was often attributed to specific deities or even magic. Here, the skill is explicitly from YHWH and His Spirit, not from human genius alone or external pagan influences.
• This passage highlights that the Spirit of God is not exclusively for prophecy or leadership but also equips individuals for artistic and technical work necessary for corporate worship. This prefigures the New Testament understanding of diverse spiritual gifts within the body of Christ.
• The emphasis on God filling Bezalel with wisdom, understanding, and knowledge (Exod 31:3; 35:31) underlines the truth that all true capacity for God's work is a divine enablement, transforming natural aptitudes into spiritual gifts.
• The specificity of God calling "by name" anticipates the personal nature of God's call to individuals in both the Old and New Testaments for specific roles within His Kingdom and for His purposes.

Exodus 35 30 Commentary

Exodus 35:30 stands as a profound declaration of God's active involvement in establishing His dwelling among Israel. It asserts that God does not merely give instructions for the Tabernacle's construction but personally, by name, chooses and equips Bezalel to lead this sacred project. The phrase "called by name" emphasizes the intentionality and specificity of God's election, elevating craftsmanship to a divine calling, much like those of prophets and priests. Bezalel's own name, meaning "in the shadow of God," speaks volumes of divine inspiration and protection encompassing his work, ensuring it would align perfectly with God's heavenly pattern. His lineage, particularly through Hur, links him to trusted leadership and faithfulness, giving him community standing. Moreover, his association with the tribe of Judah, the royal and Messianic tribe, subtly connects this holy construction project to the grander narrative of God's plan for kingship and salvation. This verse establishes that all skills and talents, especially those directed toward God's service, originate from His Spirit, challenging any notion that only overtly religious roles are spiritual. It sanctifies seemingly secular labor, presenting it as an act of worship when done through divine enablement and for God's glory.