Bible Commentary

Exodus 31:1-11

Matthew Henry on Exodus 31:1-11

Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · Matthew Henry · CC0 1.0 Universal

The Israelites, who had been masons and bricklayers in Egypt, were not qualified for curious workmanship; but the Spirit who gave the apostles utterance in divers tongues, miraculously gave Bezaleel and Aholiab the skill that was wanting.

The honour which comes from God, is always attended with a work to be done; to be employed for God is high honour. Those whom God calls to any service, he will find or make fit for it. The Lord gives different gifts to different persons; let each mind his proper work, diligently remembering that whatever wisdom any one possesses, the Lord put it in the heart, to do his commandments.

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commentaryAppointment of Bezaleel and Aholiab. (b. c. 1491.)APPOINTMENT OF BEZALEEL AND AHOLIAB. (B. C. 1491.) A great deal of fine work God had ordered to be done about the tabernacle; the materials the people were to provide, but who must put them into form? Moses himself was…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 31:1-11EXPOSITION THE CALL OF BEZALEEL AND AHOLIAB. The directions for the construction of the tabernacle and its furniture being now complete, and the composition of the holy oil and the holy incense having been laid down min…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 31:2I have called by name. God "calls by name" only those whom he appoints to some high office, as Moses (Exodus 3:4; Exodus 33:12), Cyrus (Isaiah 45:3, Isaiah 45:4), and here Bezaleel and Aholiab. He honours us highly in e…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 31:3-6Artistic excellence. I. ITS FOUNDATION A NATURAL GIFT. God singled out from the mass of the people such as were "wise hearted." A natural foundation was necessary for his spirit to work upon. It is generally allowed, in…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 31:3The Spirit of God. There is no article in the Hebrew, any more than in Genesis 1:1; and some would therefore translate "a Divine Spirit"; but no change is needed. Ruakh elohim contains in itself the idea of singularity,…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 31:5In cutting of stones—i.e; "in Genesis-curling." The fabric of the tabernacle was entirely of metal, cloth, and wood. In carving of timber. Rather "cutting." The word is the same as that used of the stones. And no orname…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 31:6Aholiab appears to have had the entire charge of the textile fabrics, both woven and embroidered (Exodus 38:23). Of the tribe of Ban. It is remarkable that Hiram, the chief artist employed by Solomon for the ornamental…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 31:7-11Contain an enumeration of the various works already commanded to be made The same order is observed, except that here the tabernacle itself is placed first, and the altar of incense takes its natural position next to th…Joseph S. Exell and contributors