Exodus 35 35

Exodus 35:35 kjv

Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart, to work all manner of work, of the engraver, and of the cunning workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, and in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, even of them that do any work, and of those that devise cunning work.

Exodus 35:35 nkjv

He has filled them with skill to do all manner of work of the engraver and the designer and the tapestry maker, in blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine linen, and of the weaver?those who do every work and those who design artistic works.

Exodus 35:35 niv

He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers?all of them skilled workers and designers.

Exodus 35:35 esv

He has filled them with skill to do every sort of work done by an engraver or by a designer or by an embroiderer in blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, or by a weaver ? by any sort of workman or skilled designer.

Exodus 35:35 nlt

The LORD has given them special skills as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple, and scarlet thread on fine linen cloth, and weavers. They excel as craftsmen and as designers.

Exodus 35 verses

Exodus 35 35 Meaning

Exodus 35:35 reveals that the Lord empowered specific individuals, including engravers, designers, embroiderers, and weavers, with divine skill and insight for all types of craftsmanship required for the Tabernacle's construction. This endowment enabled them to execute intricate and beautiful work precisely according to God's detailed instructions, establishing Him as the ultimate source of all creativity, wisdom, and technical ability needed for His sacred purposes.

Exodus 35 35 Context

Exodus 35 initiates the active phase of collecting offerings and organizing labor for the construction of the Tabernacle, as previously commanded by God. Verses 30-34 introduce Bezalel and Oholiab as individuals specifically chosen and supernaturally endowed by God with the Spirit, giving them wisdom, understanding, and knowledge for all types of craftsmanship and for the ability to teach others. Verse 35 extends this divine enablement to all the skilled workers whom Bezalel and Oholiab would lead and instruct. It assures the community that God's provision for the work of the Tabernacle extends beyond the chief craftsmen to every artisan involved, ensuring that the elaborate and precise divine instructions for the sacred dwelling could be perfectly executed. The historical context is a nomadic people, recently freed slaves, in a wilderness setting. Without this divine empowerment, such high-level, artistic, and intricate craftsmanship would have been virtually impossible to achieve among a people without an established tradition of such sophisticated skills. The Tabernacle, a symbol of God's presence among them, demanded perfection in its construction, which only divine enablement could ensure.

Exodus 35 35 Word Analysis

• He has filled them: The Hebrew male' (מָלֵא), meaning "to fill," emphasizes the completeness and abundance of the divine impartation. It denotes a saturation of ability, not merely a slight endowment. "He" refers to God, the ultimate active agent. This divine act is fundamental to their capability.
• with skill: The Hebrew chochmah (חָכְמָה), often translated as "wisdom," here denotes practical ability, dexterity, and technical excellence. It is wisdom applied to creative work, implying intelligence, discernment, and inventiveness in craftsmanship.
• to do all kinds of work: This phrase highlights the comprehensive nature of the giftedness. It was not limited to one specific trade but encompassed the entire spectrum of artistic and practical tasks required for the Tabernacle. This breadth underlines God's thorough provision.
• as engravers: Hebrew charash even (חָרַשׁ אֶבֶן), literally "worker of stone," referring to those who cut, carve, and engrave precious stones and perhaps metal. This was highly specialized and intricate work.
• designers: Hebrew choshev machashevet (חֹשֵׁב מַחֲשָׁבֶת). This phrase suggests the intellectual and conceptual aspect of their work. It refers to those who devise intricate patterns, plan out complex designs, and conceptualize artistic pieces. This implies foresight and deep creative thought, not just execution.
• embroiderers: Hebrew roqem (רֹקֵם). These were artisans skilled in creating decorative needlework with specific threads on fabric, often used for veils and garments of the Tabernacle and priests. It involved a high degree of artistic sensitivity and precision.
• in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen: These are the precious and specific materials used in the Tabernacle's curtains, coverings, and priestly garments. The blue (tekhelet), purple (argaman), and scarlet (shani tola'at) were expensive dyes, signifying the holiness and sacredness of the dwelling. Fine linen (shesh) was pure white and of Egyptian origin. The verse details the media in which their skills were applied, demonstrating the high-quality standards.
• and weavers: Hebrew oreg (אֹרֵג). Those who interwove threads to create cloth, from which the various tapestries and coverings for the Tabernacle were made. Weaving could range from basic cloth to complex, patterned fabrics.
• all of them master craftsmen: This reinforces the preceding points. The repetition of choshev machashevet (translated as "master craftsmen" and earlier as "designers") emphasizes that all these workers possessed not just execution skills but also the inventive and intellectual capacity to conceive and plan the complex artistic and architectural elements.
• and designers: Reiteration of choshev machashevet, solidifying that the divine empowerment included not only manual dexterity but also the imaginative and strategic capacity for creating and devising, which is essential for true mastery.

Exodus 35 35 Bonus Section

This verse serves as a powerful biblical foundation for understanding "vocation" in a broad sense, beyond what is typically considered "ministry." It highlights that all types of work, even seemingly ordinary crafts, can be divinely inspired and consecrated when done for God's glory. The detail about different colors and materials reinforces the beauty and excellence God desires in worship and service. The communal aspect implied by "all of them" indicates that God equips His people not just as individuals, but to work together as a body, each contributing their unique, divinely-given skill to a greater collective purpose. It speaks to God's holistic interest in every aspect of creation and service.

Exodus 35 35 Commentary

Exodus 35:35 is a profound testament to God's detailed provision and the sacredness of skillful labor when consecrated to Him. It extends the principle introduced with Bezalel and Oholiab—that God uniquely gifts individuals for specific tasks within His kingdom work—to all who participated in the Tabernacle's construction. This verse counters any notion that creative or manual skills are purely secular or acquired solely through human effort. Instead, it asserts that all abilities, from the artistic to the architectural, from precise engraving to intricate embroidery and weaving, originate from a divine outpouring. These individuals were not just workers; they were "filled with skill" by God's own Spirit. This supernatural enablement ensured that the Tabernacle, God's dwelling place, was constructed with the utmost perfection and beauty, aligning precisely with His detailed blueprint. The emphasis on diverse crafts underscores that God values and empowers a multitude of talents, transforming common trades into holy vocations when utilized for His glory. This truth resonates throughout Scripture, demonstrating God's continued equipping of His people with diverse gifts for His purposes in every generation.