ScriptureDepth's study of Exodus 31
“Speak also to the children of Israel, saying, ‘Most certainly you shall keep my Sabbaths: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that you may know that I am Yahweh who sanctifies you.”
Exodus 31:13
Yahweh commands Moses to tell the children of Israel to keep the Sabbath, which establishes it as a lasting sign of their covenant relationship with Him.
What Exodus 31 is about
Yahweh calls Bezalel, son of Uri, and Oholiab, son of Ahisamach, to craft skillful works for the tabernacle (vv. 1-6). They are filled with the Spirit of God, enabling them to execute all that Yahweh commands. The specific instructions include the construction of the Tent of Meeting, the ark of the testimony, and various furnishings (vv. 7-10). Additionally, they are to prepare holy garments for Aaron and his sons, along with the anointing oil and incense (v. 11). Yahweh commands the children of Israel to keep the Sabbath as a sign between them and Him (vv. 12-17). This command emphasizes its holiness and the consequences of profaning it, stating that anyone who works on the Sabbath shall be put to death. Lastly, Yahweh gives Moses the two stone tablets inscribed with His laws (v. 18).
Yahweh insists on the Sabbath's observance as a perpetual covenant with Israel, emphasizing its holiness.
Exodus 31 at a glance
- Exodus 31:1–6God's Calling of Bezalel and Oholiab
- Exodus 31:7–10Instructions for the Tabernacle
- Exodus 31:11Holy Garments and Anointing Oil
- Exodus 31:12–17The Command to Keep the Sabbath
- Exodus 31:18The Giving of the Tablets
Key verse: Exodus 31:13
One thing to notice
God names two individuals, Bezalel and Oholiab, as artisans for the work on the Tabernacle. Bezalel is filled with the Spirit of God in wisdom, understanding, and knowledge. Oholiab is appointed to assist him. This occurs in verses 2-6.
Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.
Chapter text
Read Exodus 31 (WEB)
God's Calling of Bezalel and Oholiab Exodus 31:1–6
1Verse 1. Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 2Verse 2. “Behold, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: 3Verse 3. and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all kinds of workmanship, 4Verse 4. to devise skillful works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, 5Verse 5. and in cutting of stones for setting, and in carving of wood, to work in all kinds of workmanship. 6Verse 6. Behold, I myself have appointed with him Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; and in the heart of all who are wise-hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded you:
Instructions for the Tabernacle Exodus 31:7–10
7Verse 7. the Tent of Meeting, the ark of the testimony, the mercy seat that is on it, all the furniture of the Tent, 8Verse 8. the table and its vessels, the pure lamp stand with all its vessels, the altar of incense, 9Verse 9. the altar of burnt offering with all its vessels, the basin and its base, 10Verse 10. the finely worked garments—the holy garments for Aaron the priest—the garments of his sons to minister in the priest’s office,
Holy Garments and Anointing Oil Exodus 31:11
11Verse 11. the anointing oil, and the incense of sweet spices for the holy place: according to all that I have commanded you they shall do.”
The Command to Keep the Sabbath Exodus 31:12–17
12Verse 12. Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 13Verse 13. “Speak also to the children of Israel, saying, ‘Most certainly you shall keep my Sabbaths: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that you may know that I am Yahweh who sanctifies you. 14Verse 14. You shall keep the Sabbath therefore; for it is holy to you. Everyone who profanes it shall surely be put to death; for whoever does any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people. 15Verse 15. Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, holy to Yahweh. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day shall surely be put to death.
16Verse 16. Therefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. 17Verse 17. It is a sign between me and the children of Israel forever; for in six days Yahweh made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.’”
The Giving of the Tablets Exodus 31:18
18Verse 18. He gave to Moses, when he finished speaking with him on Mount Sinai, the two tablets of the testimony, stone tablets, written with God’s finger.
World English Bible (public domain)
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Main themes in Exodus 31
God's empowerment and gifting
In this chapter, God calls Bezalel and Oholiab, specifically naming them in vv. 2 and 6. Yahweh states that He has filled Bezalel 'with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all kinds of workmanship' (v. 3). This empowerment illustrates God's initiative in providing the skills necessary for the work required in the construction of the Tabernacle.
The importance of skilled labor in worship
The text describes the detailed craftsmanship required for the Tabernacle and its furnishings in vv. 4-10. It outlines specific tasks such as working in gold, silver, and brass, as well as creating the garments for the priests. The chapter conveys the necessity of skilled laborers like Bezalel and Oholiab to fulfill God's instructions for proper worship.
Sabbath as a sign of covenant
Yahweh commands the Israelites to keep the Sabbath as a 'sign between me and you' in vv. 13 and 16. These verses highlight the Sabbath's role as a perpetual covenant, where observance is tied to the identity of Yahweh as the one who sanctifies His people. The chapter connects the Sabbath to creation, noting that God rested on the seventh day (v. 17).
The relationship between work and rest
Exodus 31 addresses the balance between work and rest, particularly regarding the Sabbath in verses 14-15. It mandates six days of work, with the seventh day designated as a 'Sabbath of solemn rest, holy to Yahweh.' This command establishes a rhythm of labor followed by rest, aligning with the Creator's pattern of resting after the work of creation.
Chapter outline
How Exodus 31 unfolds
Exodus 31:1–6 God's Calling of Bezalel and Oholiab
Yahweh calls Bezalel and Oholiab by name, filling them with the Spirit of God to provide wisdom and skill in craftsmanship for the tasks ahead (vv. 2-6).
Exodus 31:7–10 Instructions for the Tabernacle
Moses is instructed regarding the construction of the Tent of Meeting and its furnishings, detailing the specific items necessary for worship and service (vv. 7-10).
Exodus 31:11 Holy Garments and Anointing Oil
God commands Moses to prepare 'holy garments for Aaron' and his sons, and to make 'the anointing oil, and the incense of sweet spices for the holy place' according to His instructions (v. 11).
Exodus 31:12–17 The Command to Keep the Sabbath
Yahweh commands the Israelites to keep the Sabbath as a holy sign and perpetual covenant, emphasizing its importance and the consequences for profaning it (vv. 12-17).
Exodus 31:18 The Giving of the Tablets
Moses receives the two tablets of testimony, which are stone tablets inscribed with God's finger, marking the completion of Yahweh's instructions (v. 18).
Key verses
Exodus 31:13Yahweh commands Moses to tell the children of Israel to keep the Sabbath, which establishes it as a lasting sign of their covenant relationship with Him.
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Study questions
Questions for studying Exodus 31
- observeIn v2, who is called by name to carry out important work?
- observeWhat is Bezalel filled with in v3 that enables his craftsmanship?
- interpretThe command about the Sabbath in vv. 14-15: why is its punishment so severe?
- interpretIn v18, what does the phrase 'written with God’s finger' imply about the tablets?
- applyWhen have you felt equipped or chosen for a specific task like Bezalel in v3?
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Cross-references
Passages that echo Exodus 31
- Exodus 35Exodus 31:3 and Exodus 35:31Both filled with the Spirit of God: Exodus 31:3 says, "I have filled him," while Exodus 35:31 states, "He has filled him."
- James 1Exodus 31:3 and James 1:5Both connected with wisdom: Exodus 31:3 states, "I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom," while James 1:5 says, "if any of you lacks wisdom."
- Genesis 2Exodus 31:13 and Genesis 2:3Both emphasize keeping Sabbaths: Exodus 31:13 states, "Most certainly you shall keep my Sabbaths," while Genesis 2:3 recalls, "God blessed the seventh day, and made it holy."
- Ezekiel 20Exodus 31:13 and Ezekiel 20:12Both highlight Sabbaths as a sign: Exodus 31:13 says, "it is a sign between me and you," while Ezekiel 20:12 states, "to be a sign between me and them."
- Exodus 20Exodus 31:13 and Exodus 20:8Both command Sabbath observance: Exodus 31:13 states, "Most certainly you shall keep my Sabbaths," while Exodus 20:8 says, "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy."
- Isaiah 28Exodus 31:3 and Isaiah 28:26Both instruct in wisdom: Exodus 31:3 says, "I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom," while Isaiah 28:26 states, "his God instructs him in right judgment."
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