Exodus 38:23

And with him was Aholiab, son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver, and a cunning workman, and an embroiderer in blue, and in purple, and in scarlet, and fine linen.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(23) Aholiab . . . an engraver.—This is a mistranslation. Khârâsh means a worker in any material whatsoever. It should be rendered artificer, as it is in 1Chronicles 29:5; 2Chronicles 34:11.

A cunning workman.—Literally, a deviser; but the root is used especially of the devising of textile fabrics. (See Exodus 26:1; Exodus 26:31; Exodus 28:6; Exodus 28:15; Exodus 36:8; Exodus 36:35; Exodus 39:3, &c.)

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

38:21-31 The foundation of massy pieces of silver showed the solidity and purity of the truth upon which the church is founded. Let us regard the Lord Jesus Christ while reading of the furniture of the tabernacle. While looking at the altar of burnt-offering, let us see Jesus. In him, his righteousness, and salvation, is a full and sufficient offering for sin. In the laver of regeneration, by his Holy Spirit, let our souls be washed, and they shall be clean; and as the people offered willingly, so may our souls be made willing. Let us be ready to part with any thing, and count all but loss to win Christ.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

See Exodus 35:35 note.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

21. This is the sum of the tabernacle—Having completed his description of the component parts of the tabernacle, the inspired historian digresses into a statement respecting the gold and silver employed in it, the computation being made according to an order of Moses—by the Levites, under the direction of Ithamar, Aaron's youngest son.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

No text from Poole on this verse.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And with him was Aholiab, son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan,.... Of him see Exodus 31:6.

an engraver; of precious stones, as those in the ephod and breastplate:

and a cunning workman; in devising and working curious figured works, either in weaving or with the needle:

and an embroiderer in blue, and purple, and in scarlet, and in fine linen; which were used in the curtains and hangings of the tabernacle, and in the priests' garments.

Geneva Study Bible

And with him was Aholiab, son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver, and a {d} cunning workman, and an embroiderer in blue, and in purple, and in scarlet, and fine linen.

(d) Or, a graver, or carpenter, Ex 36:4.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

23. a craftsman, and a pattern-weaver, &c.] as Exodus 35:35.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 23. - Aholiab's special gifts are here pointed out. He was

1. An artificer (a general term with no special application);

2. A skilled weaver; and

3. An embroiderer.

Altogether, his business was with the textile fabrics - not with the wood-work or the metal-work - of the sanctuary. Exodus 38:23

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

The allusion to the service of the Levites under Ithamar leads the historian to mention once more the architects of the whole building, and the different works connected with it (cf. Exodus 31:2.).