Exodus 35:30

The Skilled Overseers Are Described To The People (Exodus 35:30 to Exodus 36:1).

This may be analysed as follows:

a Bezalel has been called by name and filled with the Spirit of God, in wisdom and understanding, and in knowledge and in all manner of workmanship (Exodus 35:30).

b And this in order to devise skilful works in gold, silver, brazen copper, cutting of stones, and in wood, to work all manner of skilful workmanship (Exodus 35:32).

b And he and Oholiab have had it put into their hearts to teach, and they have been filled with wisdom of heart to work all manner of workmanship of the engraver, and of the skilful workman, and of the embroiderer, even of those who do any workmanship and of those who devise skilful works (Exodus 35:34).

a And Bezalel and Oholiab shall work, and every trained man, in whom Yahweh has put knowledge and understanding so as to know how to do all the work for the service of the sanctuary, according to all that Yahweh has commanded. (Exodus 36:1)

Note that in ‘a' there is the giving of understanding and knowledge, which is repeated in the parallel. And in ‘b' there are the skilful works and the workmanship which are equally mentioned in their parallel. We note also how important it is seen to be that the most skilful workmen work on the Dwellingplace.

Exodus 35:30 - Exodus 36:1

‘And Moses said to the children of Israel, “See, Yahweh has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. And he has filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of expertise; and to devise skilled work, to work in gold, and in silver, and in bronze, and in cutting of stones for setting, and in carving of wood, to work in all manner of skilful expertise. And he has put in his heart that he may teach, both he, and Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. Them has he filled with wisdom of heart, to work all manner of expertise, of the engraver, and of the skilful workman, and of the embroiderer in bluey-violet, and in purpley-red, in scarlet and in fine linen, and of the weaver, even of those who do any expert work, and of those that devise skilled work. And Bezalel and Oholiab shall work, and every trained man, in whom Yahweh has put knowledge and understanding so as to know how to do all the work for the service of the sanctuary, according to all that Yahweh has commanded.'

The work is seen as so important that Bezalel is ‘called by name' and filled with the Spirit of God. He is a chosen one of Yahweh and in overall charge of the skilled work, and is expert in engraving, metalwork, jewellery and carpentry. Oholiab is especially the expert in embroidery. Both are gifted by Yahweh for the work. With them will work every trained man whom Yahweh has gifted.

For these verses see Exodus 31:1. Moses informed the people that these two men had differing skills, and filled with the Spirit, would contribute their expertise and would teach others also. The embroiderers did the complicated work, the weavers the straight weaving. All had a part to play in this work of God. It is noteworthy that Moses bring the people in on everything. He wanted them to feel a part of what was done.