Exodus 35 34

Exodus 35:34 kjv

And he hath put in his heart that he may teach, both he, and Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan.

Exodus 35:34 nkjv

"And He has put in his heart the ability to teach, in him and Aholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan.

Exodus 35:34 niv

And he has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach others.

Exodus 35:34 esv

And he has inspired him to teach, both him and Oholiab the son of Ahisamach of the tribe of Dan.

Exodus 35:34 nlt

And the LORD has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach their skills to others.

Exodus 35 verses

Exodus 35 34 Meaning

Exodus 35:34 signifies that the divine empowerment bestowed upon Bezalel for the construction of the Tabernacle extends beyond his personal capacity to perform tasks. God also instilled within him the ability to instruct others, specifically mentioning Oholiab. This highlights a critical principle: God’s gifts are not merely for individual execution but also for the dissemination and multiplication of knowledge and skill within the community, ensuring the perpetuation and completion of His sacred work through collective effort and shared expertise.

Exodus 35 34 Context

Exodus chapter 35, following the detailed instructions given to Moses on Mount Sinai regarding the Tabernacle's construction and furnishings (chapters 25-31), initiates the process of its actual building. It marks the shift from divine commandment to human execution, particularly after the serious transgression of the Golden Calf. The chapter opens with Moses summoning the congregation, repeating the command to observe the Sabbath and calling for voluntary contributions for the Tabernacle materials. The specific verse (v.34) falls within the section (v.30-35) where Bezalel, from the tribe of Judah, and Oholiab, from the tribe of Dan, are publicly acknowledged as specially gifted and appointed by God. Bezalel is presented as filled with the Spirit of God, having skill, intelligence, knowledge, and craftsmanship (v.31-33). Verse 34 then uniquely adds that God instilled in him (and by extension Oholiab, who is his primary collaborator) the capacity to teach, elevating their divine appointment beyond individual artisan work to leadership in knowledge transfer. This underscores the comprehensive nature of divine wisdom, which encompasses both the ability to create and the capacity to instruct, ensuring that the skills and knowledge necessary for God's dwelling place would be propagated within the community rather than remaining exclusive to a select few. Culturally, this highlights mentorship as crucial for sacred tasks, a contrast to pagan artisan traditions where skills might be guild-exclusive or passed down without explicit divine empowerment for holy purposes.

Exodus 35 34 Word analysis

• And he hath put: Hebrew: וְנָתַן (wə-nāṯan), from the verb נָתַן (natan), "to give," "to put," "to place." This signifies divine initiative and agency; God is the one who actively endows Bezalel with this capacity. It’s not an acquired human skill but a divine impartation.
• in his heart: Hebrew: בְּלִבּוֹ (bə-liḇō), "in his heart." In ancient Hebrew thought, the "heart" (לֵב, lev) is not primarily the seat of emotions, but the core of a person’s being – the intellect, will, mind, understanding, and capacity for decision. Therefore, "put in his heart" means God imbued his intellect and inner being with this specific capability and desire.
• that he may teach: Hebrew: לְהוֹרֹת (lə-hôrōṯ), the Hiphil infinitive construct of the verb יָרָה (yarah), which means "to teach," "to instruct," "to show," "to guide." This is the same root from which the word "Torah" (meaning "instruction" or "law") is derived. This highlights that the teaching imparted by Bezalel was authoritative, practical, and rooted in divine instruction, much like God's law. It implies more than mere demonstration; it suggests active guidance and formal instruction.
• both him and Oholiab: This phrase establishes a co-working relationship and shared mission. While grammatically Bezalel is the one receiving the ability to teach, the "both him and Oholiab" can be understood in a few ways: Bezalel is gifted to teach both himself (meaning he fully internalizes and embodies the instruction) and Oholiab, or that Bezalel is to teach Oholiab. Given Oholiab’s direct appointment and skills mentioned elsewhere, the latter is more prominent – Bezalel is specifically empowered to instruct Oholiab, emphasizing mentorship and partnership in the work. This also shows God’s desire for shared wisdom, not just isolated gifting.
• Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach: Oholiab (אָהֳלִיאָב, ʼOholiav) means "My Father is a Tent" or "Father is My Tent." This is a significant name given his central role in constructing the Tent of Meeting, God's dwelling place. The mention of his father's name, Ahisamach ("Brother of Support" or "Brother of Aid"), further identifies him and points to the stability and communal support inherent in the divine blueprint.

Exodus 35 34 Bonus section

• The imparting of teaching ability alongside creative skill shows the holistic nature of divine wisdom. It's not just about doing, but also about replicating and multiplying the knowledge base.
• This verse provides an early biblical precedent for the concept of equipping the saints for the work of ministry, a theme prominent in the New Testament (Eph 4:11-12). It underscores God's method of working through His people by enabling them to empower one another.
• The collaboration between Bezalel and Oholiab, divinely mandated, illustrates the importance of teamwork and shared leadership in carrying out God's purposes, where various gifts and roles complement each other for a greater end.

Exodus 35 34 Commentary

Exodus 35:34 unveils a profound aspect of divine gifting: God not only grants individuals specific skills for His service but also equips them to transmit those skills to others. Bezalel was filled with divine wisdom and craftsmanship, but critically, he was also "put in his heart" (endowed with the intellectual and volitional capacity) to teach. This elevates his role beyond that of a mere craftsman; he becomes a master instructor. The explicit mention of Oholiab as a beneficiary of this teaching signifies a mentorship dynamic, a purposeful sharing of divinely-given knowledge and practical methods. This demonstrates God’s foresight in establishing a sustainable model for spiritual labor, ensuring that vital expertise for building His dwelling place would not cease with one person. It implies a transfer of skills, methodologies, and understanding necessary for the Tabernacle's intricate construction. Practically, this echoes the principle of discipleship: those who are gifted and learned in God's ways are commissioned to equip and train others, fostering collective competence and unity in service to God’s overarching plan.