Exodus 36:1 kjv
Then wrought Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whom the LORD put wisdom and understanding to know how to work all manner of work for the service of the sanctuary, according to all that the LORD had commanded.
Exodus 36:1 nkjv
"And Bezalel and Aholiab, and every gifted artisan in whom the LORD has put wisdom and understanding, to know how to do all manner of work for the service of the sanctuary, shall do according to all that the LORD has commanded."
Exodus 36:1 niv
So Bezalel, Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the LORD has given skill and ability to know how to carry out all the work of constructing the sanctuary are to do the work just as the LORD has commanded."
Exodus 36:1 esv
"Bezalel and Oholiab and every craftsman in whom the LORD has put skill and intelligence to know how to do any work in the construction of the sanctuary shall work in accordance with all that the LORD has commanded."
Exodus 36:1 nlt
"The LORD has gifted Bezalel, Oholiab, and the other skilled craftsmen with wisdom and ability to perform any task involved in building the sanctuary. Let them construct and furnish the Tabernacle, just as the LORD has commanded."
Exodus 36 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ex 31:3-6 | "I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom... to devise artistic works." | God equipping Bezalel and Oholiab. |
| Ex 35:10 | "Let every skillful person among you come, and make all that the LORD has commanded." | Call for gifted people to serve. |
| Ex 35:30-35 | "He has filled them with skill... to perform all work of a craftsman." | Reiteration of God filling artisans. |
| Num 7:1-9 | "When Moses had finished setting up the tabernacle... Levites bore burdens." | Further service related to Tabernacle. |
| Rom 12:6-8 | "Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us..." | God gives diverse spiritual gifts. |
| 1 Cor 12:4-11 | "There are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit... distributing to each one individually just as He wills." | Gifts from Holy Spirit for common good. |
| Eph 4:11-12 | "And He gave some as apostles... for the equipping of the saints for the work of service." | Gifts for ministry and equipping believers. |
| 1 Pet 4:10-11 | "As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another..." | Stewardship of God-given abilities. |
| Ex 25:9 | "According to all that I am going to show you, as the pattern of the tabernacle..." | God provided specific design. |
| Ex 25:40 | "See that you make them after the pattern for them, which was shown to you on the mountain." | Emphasis on adherence to divine pattern. |
| Heb 8:5 | "who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, just as Moses was warned by God when he was about to erect the tabernacle; for, 'SEE,' He says, 'THAT YOU MAKE ALL THINGS ACCORDING TO THE PATTERN WHICH WAS SHOWN TO YOU ON THE MOUNTAIN.'" | Tabernacle as earthly copy of heavenly reality. |
| Deut 4:5-6 | "See, I have taught you statutes... that you may observe them... your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples." | Observing God's commands as true wisdom. |
| 1 Chr 28:19 | "All this,' said David, 'the LORD made me understand in writing by His hand upon me, all the work of this plan.'" | God provides specific patterns for worship. |
| Col 3:23-24 | "Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men... you serve the Lord Christ." | Performing work as unto the Lord. |
| Neh 2:18 | "And I told them how the hand of my God had been favorable to me..." | Acknowledging God's enabling hand. |
| Phil 2:13 | "for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure." | God works in believers for His purpose. |
| John 15:5 | "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing." | Human inability apart from divine enablement. |
| Ex 39:32, 42-43 | "Thus all the work of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting was completed... just as the LORD had commanded Moses..." | Completion reflecting divine commands. |
| Prov 22:29 | "Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings..." | Value of diligence and skill. |
| Psa 33:6 | "By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and by the breath of His mouth all their host." | God's creative power, giving all skill. |
| James 1:17 | "Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights." | All good gifts, including skill, are from God. |
| Isa 28:29 | "This also comes from the LORD of hosts, who has made His counsel wonderful and His wisdom great." | All wisdom originates from the LORD. |
Exodus 36 verses
Exodus 36 1 Meaning
Exodus 36:1 announces the commencement of work on the Tabernacle, emphasizing that the skilled artisans, including Bezalel and Oholiab, possess their abilities not intrinsically but as a divine endowment from the LORD. These individuals, whom the LORD has specifically gifted with wisdom and understanding, are tasked to meticulously execute every detail of the sanctuary's construction precisely as the LORD has commanded, underscoring both divine empowerment and human obedience to God's blueprint.
Exodus 36 1 Context
Exodus 36:1 marks a transition from the collection of materials (chapter 35) to the actual construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings. It is the fulfillment of God's earlier instruction to Moses in Exodus 31 concerning the appointment and equipping of Bezalel and Oholiab for this sacred task. The verse operates within the larger narrative of Israel in the wilderness, where the Tabernacle's construction is paramount to establishing God's physical presence among His covenant people after the giving of the Law. Historically, this detailed account counters any idea that the Tabernacle was a result of human genius alone or arbitrary design. Instead, it powerfully communicates that God is the source of all necessary skill and the specific divine pattern for worship, standing in direct contrast to the Israelites' previous spontaneous and idolatrous construction of the golden calf (Ex 32). This sacred building required not merely human ingenuity, but divinely inspired skill executed with precise obedience.
Exodus 36 1 Word analysis
- Then: Connects the preceding instructions and the people's generous giving of materials (Ex 35) to the practical initiation of the work. It signifies the commencement of the actual labor.
- Bezalel: (בְּצַלְאֵל, Beṣalʾēl) – His name means "in the shadow of God" or "in God's protection," highlighting the divine hand over his life and work. He was from the tribe of Judah, the chief artisan appointed by God.
- Oholiab: (אָהֳלִיאָב, ʾŌholīʾāv) – His name means "my tent is father" or "my father is a tent," perhaps symbolizing his role in building God's dwelling or being 'father' of a branch of skilled workers. He was from the tribe of Dan and appointed as Bezalel's assistant.
- and every skillful person: The Hebrew here is חֲכַם־לֵב (ḥakam-lev), literally "wise of heart" or "wise-hearted." This indicates not just intellectual capacity or technical competence but an inner wisdom, ingenuity, and a divinely imparted aptitude that allows for creative and artistic execution. It denotes practical skill rooted in understanding.
- in whom the LORD has put skill and intelligence: The Hebrew verb used is נָתַן (natan), "to give" or "to put." This phrase definitively attributes the source of their abilities directly to the LORD (יהוה, Yahweh), using the terms חָכְמָה (ḥokmah - skill, wisdom) and תְּבוּנָה (tevunah - understanding, intelligence). This divine impartation of ability for a specific task is a foundational theme, precluding any claim of purely human ingenuity or pride.
- to know how to perform all the work: The phrase "to know how to perform" (לָדַעַת לַעֲשׂוֹת, lada'at la'asot) emphasizes the practical application of the divinely gifted wisdom and understanding. It means they are equipped to translate the divine pattern into physical reality.
- in the construction of the sanctuary: Refers to the collective effort involved in building the Tabernacle (מִשְׁכָּן, miškan - dwelling place), which was also called "the sanctuary" (הַקֹּדֶשׁ, ha'kodesh - the holy place/sacred). This specifies the unique, sacred purpose of their divinely enabled labor.
- will perform it: Indicates their active role in bringing the plan to fruition, acting as God's instruments.
- in accordance with all that the LORD has commanded: (כְּכֹל אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּה יְהוָה, k'khol asher-tsivah Yahweh) This is a critical clause underscoring the necessity of strict obedience to God's detailed instructions and blueprint (Ex 25-30). The work was not to be done according to their own designs or preferences, but exactly as divinely revealed, emphasizing fidelity over personal artistic license.
Words-group Analysis:
- Bezalel and Oholiab and every skillful person: This highlights both specific divine appointments (Bezalel and Oholiab) and the broader inclusion of a collective of skilled individuals, showing that God's work involves diverse people with various talents, all divinely enabled. It stresses community involvement in God's service.
- in whom the LORD has put skill and intelligence to know how to perform all the work: This full phrase underscores the complete nature of God's equipping. He provides not just raw talent, but the wisdom and understanding needed for the specific task, enabling them to comprehend the divine plans and execute them flawlessly. It negates self-reliance, promoting humility and reliance on God.
- in the construction of the sanctuary, will perform it in accordance with all that the LORD has commanded: This entire phrase delineates the precise scope and authoritative guidelines for the sacred task. The purpose is the holy sanctuary, the execution is active and purposeful, and the standard is divine command, ensuring reverence and adherence to God's perfect will.
Exodus 36 1 Bonus section
The term ḥakam-lev ("wise of heart" or "skillful person") suggests that the ability for craftsmanship, design, and artistry for sacred purposes is considered a profound expression of divine wisdom, integrating mind, hand, and inner being. This biblical understanding elevates artistic and practical skills to a spiritual dimension, seeing them as integral to worship and God's manifest presence. The emphasis on "the LORD has put skill" highlights that God is active in imparting even practical abilities, just as He imparts spiritual insights. This holistic view implies that all areas of human gifting, when sanctified and surrendered to God, can become instruments of His will and channels for His glory, whether in constructing a physical sanctuary or serving in the various "ministries" of the church, thus dignifying what might otherwise be considered ordinary labor.
Exodus 36 1 Commentary
Exodus 36:1 powerfully articulates a fundamental principle of divine-human cooperation: God calls, God equips, and God expects obedience. It illustrates that all true skill, particularly for the service of the Most High, ultimately originates from the LORD Himself. This removes any grounds for human pride, reminding the workers—and future generations—that their ability to build God's dwelling was a pure gift of grace. Their giftedness was not for self-glory but for God's glory and for the benefit of the community. The careful instruction to "perform it in accordance with all that the LORD has commanded" further emphasizes that sacred work is to be carried out not with human innovation, but with unwavering faithfulness to divine instructions, ensuring purity and effectiveness. This applies to believers today: every spiritual gift, every talent, and every calling we have for the Kingdom of God is empowered and guided by Him, demanding humble obedience and faithful stewardship of what has been graciously given.