Exodus 36:2 kjv
And Moses called Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whose heart the LORD had put wisdom, even every one whose heart stirred him up to come unto the work to do it:
Exodus 36:2 nkjv
Then Moses called Bezalel and Aholiab, and every gifted artisan in whose heart the LORD had put wisdom, everyone whose heart was stirred, to come and do the work.
Exodus 36:2 niv
Then Moses summoned Bezalel and Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the LORD had given ability and who was willing to come and do the work.
Exodus 36:2 esv
And Moses called Bezalel and Oholiab and every craftsman in whose mind the LORD had put skill, everyone whose heart stirred him up to come to do the work.
Exodus 36:2 nlt
So Moses summoned Bezalel and Oholiab and all the others who were specially gifted by the LORD and were eager to get to work.
Exodus 36 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ex 25:2 | "Speak to the people of Israel, that they take for me a contribution...from every man whose heart moves him." | Voluntary giving prompted by the heart. |
| Ex 31:2-5 | "See, I have called by name Bezalel... and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, with intelligence..." | Divine gifting of skill for Tabernacle work. |
| Ex 35:10 | "Let every skillful craftsman among you come and make all that the LORD has commanded..." | General call to all skilled individuals. |
| Ex 35:21 | "And everyone whose heart stirred him, and everyone whose spirit was willing, came and brought the LORD's contribution..." | Willingness and readiness in offerings. |
| Ex 35:29 | "The people of Israel brought a freewill offering to the LORD, every man and woman whose heart made them willing..." | The principle of willing contribution. |
| Ex 35:31-33 | "He has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill... to design artistic works, to work in gold, silver, and bronze..." | Specific nature of the divine artistic gifting. |
| Deut 8:18 | "You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant..." | God is the ultimate source of abilities and provision. |
| 1 Chr 29:5 | "Who then is willing to consecrate himself today to the LORD?" | David's call for willing volunteers for temple building. |
| 1 Chr 29:9 | "Then the people rejoiced because they had given willingly, for with a whole heart they had offered freely to the LORD..." | Joy in willing, wholehearted service to God. |
| Isa 28:26 | "For his God instructs him; he teaches him the right way." | God provides wisdom and skill for various tasks. |
| Neh 4:6 | "So we built the wall... for the people had a mind to work." | Willingness to work despite challenges in building. |
| Matt 25:15 | "To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability..." | Parable showing stewardship of differing abilities. |
| Rom 12:6-8 | "Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them..." | New Testament principle of diverse spiritual gifts. |
| 1 Cor 3:6 | "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth." | God's enabling power behind all human labor. |
| 1 Cor 12:4-11 | "Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit... To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good." | Divine source and purpose of spiritual gifts in the church. |
| Eph 2:10 | "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." | Created for good works, which God equips us to do. |
| Eph 4:11-12 | "And he gave the apostles, the prophets... for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ..." | Gifts given to equip believers for service. |
| Phil 2:13 | "for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." | God instills both the desire and the ability to act. |
| Col 3:23 | "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men..." | Serve with a willing and devoted heart for God. |
| Heb 13:21 | "equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ..." | God equips believers to do His will. |
| 1 Pet 4:10-11 | "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace..." | Using God-given gifts in service to others. |
| Jas 1:17 | "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights..." | All good and perfect gifts originate from God. |
Exodus 36 verses
Exodus 36 2 Meaning
Exodus 36:2 describes Moses gathering the artisans entrusted with constructing the Tabernacle. It signifies that those chosen for sacred work are identified by two key attributes: a divine impartation of specific abilities (skill from the LORD) and a responsive, willing heart to apply these gifts to the task. It emphasizes God's comprehensive provision for the building of His sanctuary, supplying both the resources and the equipped and eager personnel.
Exodus 36 2 Context
Exodus 36:2 begins the phase of actual construction for the Tabernacle and its associated furnishings. Following God's detailed instructions for the sanctuary (Ex 25-30) and the community's abundant free-will offerings of materials (Ex 35), Moses now moves to organize the workforce. The verse builds on Exodus 31:1-6, where the LORD first named Bezalel and Oholiab, specifically identifying them as divinely chosen and endowed with unique wisdom and skill for this sacred task, and Exodus 35:20-29, which details the people's generous and willing contributions of materials. This immediate context emphasizes the transition from planning and receiving to active implementation. Historically, temple construction in the ancient Near East often involved forced labor or royal command, contrasting sharply with the Israelites' approach, where divinely gifted individuals, motivated by a willing spirit, consecrated their skills for God's dwelling, establishing a precedent for free, Spirit-empowered service.
Exodus 36 2 Word analysis
- And Moses called (וַיִּקְרָא מֹשֶׁה֙ - vayyiqra Moshe): This signifies Moses' direct, active leadership and divine mandate. He is not merely observing but is proactively summoning the chosen individuals. The authority to call is an extension of his prophetic and priestly leadership granted by God, necessary for the organized execution of the divine blueprint.
- Bezalel and Oholiab: These are the primary, divinely designated master craftsmen, previously named and described as filled with the Spirit of God for the task (Ex 31:2-6). Bezalel's name (Bəṣalʼēl) means "in the shadow of God," indicating divine protection and inspiration for his work. Oholiab's name (ʼAholîʼāv) means "father's tent" or "tent of my father," a fitting name for one involved in constructing God's dwelling.
- and every skillful person (וְאֵת כָּל־אִישׁ חֲכַם־לֵב - wəʾet kol-ʾish chakham-lev): Literally "every man wise of heart." Chakam lev refers to practical wisdom, technical ability, dexterity, and artistic aptitude, rather than purely intellectual knowledge. It suggests a practical intelligence applied to craftsmanship, a common phrase in wisdom literature for skillful execution (e.g., in masonry or jewelry).
- in whose heart the LORD had put skill (אֲשֶׁר נָתַן יְהוָה בָּהֶם חָכְמָה - ʾasher natan YHWH bahem chokhmah): This highlights the divine origin of their ability. Their craftsmanship is not just natural talent or acquired expertise but a supernatural endowment from God (YHWH). The Hebrew term chokhmah here denotes the specific sagacity and understanding needed for various crafts—design, weaving, engraving, etc.—underscoring that true capacity for God's work is His gift.
- everyone whose heart stirred him (אֵת כָּל־אֲשֶׁר נָשָׂא לִבּוֹ אֹתוֹ - ʾet kol-ʾasher nasa libbo oto): Literally "everyone whom his heart lifted." This idiomatic expression denotes a willing spirit, an eager inclination, or self-prompted willingness. It emphasizes voluntary participation stemming from inner conviction and enthusiasm, rather than compulsion. It mirrors the language used for willing contributions (Ex 35:21, 29).
- to come to the work to do it (לָגֶשֶׁת אֶל־הַמְּלָאכָה לַעֲשֹׂת אֹתָהּ - lageshet el-hammela’khah la’asot otah): This final phrase states the practical purpose and outcome. "To draw near to the work" signifies active engagement and proximity to the task. "To do it" or "to make it" emphasizes the execution and completion of the tangible elements of the Tabernacle project (mela'khah referring specifically to the creative or productive work of craftsmanship). The divine gift and willing heart culminate in action.
- "in whose heart the LORD had put skill, everyone whose heart stirred him": This critical phrase highlights the two indispensable pillars for sacred service: divine empowerment and human willingness. God supplies the ability (chokhmah), but individuals must possess the inner desire and readiness (a "stirred heart") to employ that gift for His purpose. This synergy between divine grace and human responsiveness is a foundational principle for service within God's kingdom.
Exodus 36 2 Bonus section
- The selection of workers based on both divine gifting and personal willingness sets a template for effective ministry in all ages, indicating that not all gifted individuals are automatically equipped or inclined for a specific task.
- This passage exemplifies that sacred work (like building a sanctuary for God) is not merely spiritual but also intensely practical, requiring highly specialized, real-world skills infused with divine anointing.
- The absence of forced labor highlights the covenant relationship; God’s people serve Him out of love and willingness, not under duress.
Exodus 36 2 Commentary
Exodus 36:2 concisely yet profoundly illustrates the collaborative nature of God's work. It portrays Moses not just as a commander but as a discerning leader, acknowledging that true ability for God's Tabernacle comes from a divine source. The specific naming of Bezalel and Oholiab, coupled with the general call to "every skillful person," emphasizes both God's individual selection and His widespread distribution of gifts among His people. The phrase "in whose heart the LORD had put skill" underscores that these were not mere human talents, but abilities supernaturally endowed and directed for a sacred purpose. Crucially, this divine endowment was matched by a profound human willingness—"everyone whose heart stirred him." This signifies a willing consecration, a spontaneous desire to participate, directly contrasting with the coerced labor often seen in other ancient mega-projects. The verse thus sets a powerful precedent: God provides the gifts, and believers are to respond with wholehearted, joyful readiness, combining divine grace with human diligence to accomplish His sacred will. It reinforces that craftsmanship in service to God is an act of worship.