God’s Provision of the Skilled Workers
1The LORD also spoke to Moses: 2“Look, I have appointed by name Bezalela son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. 3I have filled him with God’s Spirit, with wisdom, understanding, and ability in every craftb 4to design artistic works in gold, silver, and bronze, 5to cut gemstones for mounting, and to carve wood for work in every craft. 6I have also selected Oholiabc son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to be with him. I have placed wisdom within every skilled craftsmand in order to make all that I have commanded you: 7the tent of meeting, the ark of the •testimony, the •mercy seat that is on top of it, and all the other furnishings of the tente — 8the table with its utensils, the pure gold lampstand with all its utensils, the altar of incense, 9the altar of •burnt offering with all its utensils, the basin with its stand — 10the specially wovenf garments, both the holy garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons to serve as priests, 11the anointing oil, and the fragrant incense for the sanctuary. They must make them according to all that I have commanded you.”g
Observing the Sabbath
12The LORD said to Moses: 13“Tell the Israelites: You must observe My Sabbaths, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, so that you will know that I am •Yahweh who sets you apart.h 14Observe the Sabbath, for it is holy to you. Whoever profanes it must be put to death. If anyone does work on it, that person must be cut off from his people.i 15Work may be done for six days, but on the seventh day there must be a Sabbath of complete rest,j dedicated to the LORD. Anyone who does work on the Sabbath day must be put to death. 16The Israelites must observe the Sabbath, celebrating it throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant. 17It is a sign forever between Me and the Israelites, for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, but on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.”
The Two Stone Tablets
18When He finished speaking with Moses on Mount Sinai, He gave him the two tablets of the testimony, stone tablets inscribed by the finger of God.k
Footnotes:
a. 31:2 Ex 35:30; 36:1; 1Ch 2:20
b. 31:3 Ex 35:31; 1Kg 7:14
c. 31:6 LXX, Syr read Eliab
d. 31:6 Lit every person skilled of heart
e. 31:7 Ex 36:8-38; 37:1-6
f. 31:10 Hb obscure
g. 31:8-11 Ex 30:25,31,34; 37:10-29; 38:1,8; 39:1,41
h. 31:13 Lv 19:3,30; Ezk 20:12,20
i. 31:14 Nm 15:35
j. 31:15 Gn 2:2; Ex 16:23; 20:9
k. 31:18 Ex 24:12; 32:15-16; Dt 4:13; 5:22; 2Co 3:3
