Exodus 35 31

Exodus 35:31 kjv

And he hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship;

Exodus 35:31 nkjv

and He has filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom and understanding, in knowledge and all manner of workmanship,

Exodus 35:31 niv

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

Exodus 35:31 esv

and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, with intelligence, with knowledge, and with all craftsmanship,

Exodus 35:31 nlt

The LORD has filled Bezalel with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts.

Exodus 35 verses

Exodus 35 31 Meaning

Exodus 35:31 declares that the Most High God divinely empowered Bezalel, son of Uri, with a supernatural infusion of His Spirit. This filling imparted to him exceptional wisdom, comprehensive understanding, profound knowledge, and extraordinary skill in all aspects of craftsmanship necessary for the intricate work of constructing the Tabernacle and its furnishings, specifically as outlined in the preceding divine instructions. This highlights God's direct involvement in equipping individuals for His sacred purposes.

Exodus 35 31 Context

Exodus 35 details the re-affirmation of the Sabbath command and then the call for offerings and skilled workers to construct the Tabernacle. Following God's extensive instructions in previous chapters (Exod 25-31), Moses convenes the entire Israelite community to reiterate the divine commands regarding the Tabernacle's construction. This verse, Exodus 35:31, specifically explains the divine enablement given to Bezalel, the chief artisan appointed by God. It sets the stage for the practical implementation of the Tabernacle's building, assuring the people that God has also provided the necessary skills and human resources for this sacred task. The historical context is the Israelites' journey through the wilderness after the exodus from Egypt, at a crucial juncture where God is establishing His dwelling place among His people.

Exodus 35 31 Word analysis

• "And He has filled him" (וַיְמַלֵּא אֹתוֹ - va-yĕ-mal-lē' 'ō-tō)

  • וַיְמַלֵּא (va-yĕ-mal-lē'): Form of the verb מָלֵא (malē’), meaning "to fill, be full." The "Waw-consecutive" perfect indicates completed action with emphasis on divine agency. This is not a partial or superficial filling, but a comprehensive endowment. It implies that Bezalel was fully imbued or permeated.
  • אֹתוֹ ('ō-tō): "him," referring directly to Bezalel from the preceding verses (Exod 35:30).
  • Significance: Highlights God's active, direct, and complete provision. It's an internal, empowering action.

• "with the Spirit of God" (בְּרוּחַ אֱלֹהִים - bᵉ-rū-aḥ 'ĕ-lō-hîm)

  • בְּ (bᵉ-): The preposition "with" or "by means of." It indicates the agent or instrument.
  • רוּחַ (rūaḥ): "Spirit." In Hebrew, this term also signifies wind, breath, or inner vitality. Here, it refers to the active, animating divine presence.
  • אֱלֹהִים ('ĕ-lō-hîm): "God." The generic name for God.
  • Significance: The source of Bezalel's extraordinary abilities is supernatural and divine, not inherent natural talent or acquired human skill alone. It underscores that spiritual gifting can encompass practical, artistic skills for kingdom work.

• "in wisdom" (בְּחָכְמָה - bᵉ-ḥāḵ-māh)

  • בְּ (bᵉ-): "in" or "with," indicating the realm or domain of the filling.
  • חָכְמָה (ḥāḵmāh): "Wisdom." More than mere intellectual knowledge, ḥāḵmāh denotes practical skill, shrewdness, and the ability to apply knowledge effectively, especially in creating and building. It is knowing how to build, plan, and execute effectively according to divine standards.
  • Significance: This points to the overarching intelligence and understanding necessary for complex design and construction. It implies discernment and skillful execution.

• "in understanding" (וּבִתְבוּנָה - û-ḇiṯ-ḇū-nāh)

  • וּ (û-): "and."
  • בִּתְבוּנָה (bithbūnah): "Understanding" or "discernment." From the root בִּין (bin) "to discern, perceive, distinguish." This implies the ability to analyze, differentiate, and comprehend intricate relationships between various parts of a task or design. It's the intellectual grasp of how things fit together and function.
  • Significance: Adds depth to "wisdom," indicating intellectual capacity to grasp concepts, perceive connections, and solve complex problems. It moves beyond raw skill to perceptive insight.

• "in knowledge" (וּבְדַעַת - û-ḇə-ḏaʿ-aṯ)

  • וּ (û-): "and."
  • בְּדַעַת (bədaʿat): "Knowledge." From the root יָדַע (yada') "to know," often implying experiential and intimate knowledge. In this context, it refers to knowing the specifics of materials, techniques, and procedures; expertise in the craft. It's knowing the 'what' and 'how' of execution.
  • Significance: Focuses on the specific details and technical mastery required for various crafts. This includes empirical understanding of materials and processes.

• "and in all manner of workmanship" (וּבְכָל מְלָאכָה - û-ḇə-ḵol mə-lā-ḵāh)

  • וּ (û-): "and."
  • בְּכָל (bə-ḵol): "in all" or "for every kind of." Indicates comprehensive scope.
  • מְלָאכָה (məla'ḵāh): "Work, occupation, task, craftsmanship." This is a broad term encompassing any work or service. Here, it specifically denotes the detailed artisan work required for the Tabernacle (e.g., gold work, embroidery, carving, stone setting).
  • Significance: This phrase summarizes and universalizes the application of the previously mentioned attributes, confirming that the divine gifting covered every single requirement for the intricate construction of God's dwelling place.

Exodus 35 31 Bonus section

• The phrase "filled him with the Spirit of God" (מָלֵא רוּחַ אֱלֹהִים - male' ruach 'Elohim) is significant as one of the earliest explicit mentions of an individual being divinely indwelled or specially empowered by God's Spirit in the Old Testament, specifically for a creative, practical task. This pre-dates the Spirit empowering judges, kings, or prophets in a more prominent way for leadership or prophetic utterances, emphasizing the broad scope of divine gifting.
• The attributes of wisdom (ḥāḵmāh), understanding (t'vunah), and knowledge (da'at) form a significant triad found repeatedly in wisdom literature (e.g., Prov 2:6), denoting a holistic intellectual and practical capacity that originates from God. Here, it’s specifically applied to artistic and practical skills rather than primarily judicial or administrative ones.
• This verse counters any idea that divine service is solely spiritual or intellectual. It highlights that detailed, high-quality physical craftsmanship for God's dwelling is as Spirit-filled and sacred as any priestly or prophetic act, underscoring the sacredness of skillful labor dedicated to the Lord. It transforms the secular understanding of craftsmanship into a divine vocation.

Exodus 35 31 Commentary

Exodus 35:31 provides profound insight into God's active involvement in enabling His people for specific tasks, especially those pertaining to His worship and kingdom. It reveals that extraordinary skill in crafts, arts, and design is not merely a human aptitude but can be a direct result of being filled with the Spirit of God. Bezalel's endowment with wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and diverse craftsmanship demonstrates that God sovereignly equips individuals with supernatural abilities beyond their natural talents, ensuring that His divine instructions are executed with perfection and according to His will. This filling is not just for spiritual acts like prophecy or teaching, but for practical, vocational endeavors as well, elevating diligent work and creative arts to sacred acts when done for God's glory. The ultimate purpose of this divine equipping was the establishment of a tangible dwelling for God's presence among His people, making the Tabernacle a masterpiece born of divine inspiration and human obedience. This pattern of God empowering individuals with diverse gifts, seen in Bezalel, foreshadows the spiritual gifts given to believers in the New Testament to build up the body of Christ, demonstrating a continuity of God's desire to equip His people for every good work.

• Example: Just as Bezalel was supernaturally enabled for crafting sacred items, a believer today working as an architect, artist, or engineer might sense a divine leading and enhanced skill when designing or creating something specifically intended to glorify God or serve His purposes within the church or community. This could be manifested as an intuitive grasp of complex problems, innovative solutions, or an unusual level of excellence in execution that points beyond mere human capability.