Exodus 35:31

KJV

And he hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship;

KJV (with Strong's)

And he hath filled {H4390} him with the spirit {H7307} of God {H430}, in wisdom {H2451}, in understanding {H8394}, and in knowledge {H1847}, and in all manner of workmanship {H4399};

Complete Jewish Bible

He has filled him with the Spirit of God -with wisdom, understanding and knowledge concerning every kind of artisanry.

Berean Standard Bible

And He has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability, and knowledge in all kinds of craftsmanship,

American Standard Version

and he hath filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 35:31 details the divine empowerment of Bezalel, the chief artisan chosen by God to lead the construction of the Tabernacle and its sacred furnishings. This verse specifically highlights that God supernaturally filled him with His Spirit, bestowing upon him not only profound wisdom, understanding, and knowledge, but also comprehensive skill in every conceivable form of craftsmanship. This extraordinary endowment ensured that the monumental and intricate task of building God's dwelling place would be executed with divine precision and excellence, powerfully demonstrating that all true ability for sacred service originates from and is sustained by God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Exodus 35 serves as Moses' public reiteration of God's commands regarding the Tabernacle's construction, following the detailed divine blueprints given on Mount Sinai ([Exodus 25](/exodus/25 "Exodus 25 - Instructions for the Tabernacle")-[Exodus 31](/exodus/31 "Exodus 31 - Bezalel and Oholiab Appointed")). This public call for contributions and skilled labor comes after the profound disruption of the golden calf incident ([Exodus 32](/exodus/32 "Exodus 32 - The Golden Calf")) and the subsequent renewal of the covenant, emphasizing God's restored presence among His people. Exodus 35:31 specifically echoes and expands upon the initial divine appointment of Bezalel in [Exodus 31:1-6](/exodus/31-1-6 "Exodus 31:1-6 - Bezalel and Oholiab Appointed"), where God first identifies him as the chosen artisan, explicitly stating that He has "filled him with the Spirit of God." This repetition in chapter 35 reinforces the divine origin and nature of Bezalel's qualifications, shifting the focus from God's initial declaration to Moses' public announcement and the community's subsequent response, underscoring that the Tabernacle was to be built not merely by human ingenuity but through supernatural enablement for its sacred purpose and perfection.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The construction of the Tabernacle was a pivotal moment in Israel's early history, establishing a visible, portable dwelling place for God's presence among His nomadic people in the wilderness. This concept was distinct from the fixed temples of surrounding pagan cultures, which often relied solely on the inherent skill of human artisans and the power of their deities. In stark contrast, the Israelite Tabernacle's construction emphasized God's direct involvement, not only in its meticulous design but also in the supernatural empowerment of its builders. The Israelites, recently freed from slavery in Egypt, were largely a people without specialized skills for such intricate and diverse craftsmanship. God's filling of Bezalel with His Spirit for "all manner of workmanship" (Exodus 35:31) highlights divine provision for a people who were otherwise unprepared for such a complex and sacred undertaking. This divine enablement ensured the Tabernacle's meticulous adherence to God's precise blueprints, symbolizing the holiness and order of God's presence in their midst, and setting Israel apart from the surrounding nations.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. It highlights the theme of **Divine Provision and Empowerment**, demonstrating God's commitment not only to command a task but also to equip His people supernaturally to fulfill it. This is a recurring pattern, seen in Moses' own enablement for leadership ([Exodus 4:10-12](/exodus/4-10-12 "Exodus 4:10-12 - Moses' Commissioning")). The verse also underscores the theme of **Holiness and Divine Presence**, as the Tabernacle was to be a perfectly crafted dwelling place for a holy God, requiring divinely infused skill to match its sacred purpose. This emphasis on divine craftsmanship elevates all human labor performed for God's glory, connecting it to the theme of **Sacred Work and Worship**. Furthermore, it subtly foreshadows the New Testament concept of the Holy Spirit's indwelling and gifting of believers for service, transforming ordinary individuals into vessels for extraordinary divine work, a theme that finds its ultimate expression in the church as God's spiritual temple ([Ephesians 2:21-22](/ephesians/2-21-22 "Ephesians 2:21-22 - A Holy Temple in the Lord")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **filled (Hebrew, _mâlêʼ'_):** This primitive root signifies to "fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)." In this context, it denotes a complete and comprehensive saturation, indicating that God's Spirit did not merely touch Bezalel but thoroughly permeated him, imparting a full measure of divine ability. It implies a supernatural endowment that goes beyond natural talent or learned skill, making him perfectly adequate for the monumental task.
* **spirit (Hebrew, _rûwach'_):** This word, meaning "wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life... by resemblance spirit, but only of a rational being," refers here to the active, dynamic, and empowering presence of God. It is the divine life-force and power, signifying a supernatural infusion of God's own essence that enables Bezalel to transcend ordinary human capabilities and perform tasks requiring extraordinary skill and insight.
* **wisdom (Hebrew, _chokmâh'_):** Derived from the root meaning "to be wise," _chokmâh_ refers to "wisdom (in a good sense); skilful, wisely, wit." In the biblical sense, it is more than mere intellectual knowledge; it encompasses practical skill, discernment, and the ability to apply knowledge effectively for a specific purpose. For Bezalel, this meant the sagacity to interpret God's intricate architectural plans, the insight to design, and the practical expertise to oversee the complex processes of crafting the Tabernacle and its furnishings according to divine specifications. It encompasses both technical mastery and the discernment to execute God's will.
* **workmanship (Hebrew, _mᵉlâʼkâh'_):** This term, meaning "properly, deputyship, i.e. ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor)," broadly refers to all kinds of skilled work, craft, or occupation. In this context, it emphasizes the practical, hands-on abilities required for the diverse tasks of Tabernacle construction, including metalwork, carving wood, cutting stones, weaving fine linens, and embroidery. The phrase "all manner of workmanship" underscores the comprehensive nature of Bezalel's divine gifting, encompassing every skill needed for the project, from the most delicate artistry to the most robust construction.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he hath filled him":** This opening phrase immediately establishes God as the sovereign and active agent behind Bezalel's extraordinary abilities. It is not Bezalel's inherent talent alone, but God's deliberate, complete, and supernatural act of filling that empowers him. The divine initiative is paramount, emphasizing that this enablement is for a sacred task and originates entirely from God.
* **"with the spirit of God":** This specifies the source and nature of the empowerment. It is the very essence and dynamic power of God, indicating a direct, divine infusion rather than mere human aptitude or training. This "filling" implies a complete saturation, making Bezalel uniquely qualified and supernaturally equipped for his monumental calling to construct God's dwelling place.
* **"in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge":** This tripartite phrase details the intellectual, cognitive, and discerning aspects of the Spirit's filling. "Wisdom" refers to the practical skill and discernment to execute the work effectively; "understanding" implies the ability to comprehend complex designs, intricate relationships, and the deeper meaning of the divine blueprints; and "knowledge" denotes the technical expertise, familiarity with materials, and proficiency in processes. Together, these terms describe a comprehensive cognitive and practical intelligence divinely bestowed, enabling Bezalel to grasp and implement God's intricate plans.
* **"and in all manner of workmanship;":** This final clause broadens the scope to encompass the practical, hands-on skills required for the physical construction and artistic embellishment of the Tabernacle. It signifies proficiency in every conceivable type of artistic and technical craft necessary for the project, from intricate carving and metalworking to weaving, embroidery, and gem-setting. This highlights the holistic nature of God's gifting, covering both the conceptual and the practical dimensions of the sacred project, ensuring its flawless execution.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 35:31 employs several literary devices to convey its profound message regarding divine empowerment. A notable feature is the use of **anaphora** (or strong **parallelism**) through the repetition of the preposition "in" (or its implied presence in the Hebrew) before each quality: "in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship." This repetition serves to emphasize the distinct yet comprehensive aspects of Bezalel's divine endowment, highlighting the multifaceted nature of God's empowering Spirit. The phrase "he hath filled him" also functions as a **divine passive**, where the subject (God) is implicitly understood as the active agent, powerfully underscoring the sovereign and supernatural origin of Bezalel's abilities. Furthermore, the combination of intellectual qualities ("wisdom, understanding, and knowledge") with practical skills ("all manner of workmanship") creates a sense of **merism** or **holistic gifting**, indicating that Bezalel was equipped completely and perfectly for his task, encompassing both the conceptual and the practical dimensions of his sacred calling.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 35:31 powerfully articulates the principle that God not only calls individuals to specific tasks but also supernaturally equips them for that service. Bezalel's commissioning demonstrates that divine empowerment is not limited to prophetic utterance or spiritual leadership, but extends to practical, artistic, and technical skills, thereby sanctifying all labor done for God's glory. This verse underscores God's meticulous care for His dwelling place and His people, ensuring that even the most intricate details are executed with divine precision through Spirit-filled individuals. It establishes a foundational truth: all genuine ability for sacred service ultimately originates from the Spirit of God, elevating human craftsmanship into a profound form of worship and testimony, and revealing God's desire for excellence in all that pertains to Him.

* [1 Corinthians 12:4-11](/1_corinthians/12-4-11 "Diversity of Spiritual Gifts for the Common Good")
* [Romans 12:6-8](/romans/12-6-8 "Gifts for Service in the Body of Christ")
* [Ephesians 2:10](/ephesians/2-10 "God's Workmanship Created for Good Works")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 35:31 offers profound encouragement and guidance for believers today, reminding us that God is still actively gifting and empowering His people for His purposes, not exclusively for "spiritual" ministries, but for all legitimate endeavors. Whether we are called to lead, teach, create, manage, serve, or innovate, God can and desires to fill us with the necessary wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and practical skills. This means that our vocations, our hobbies, and our daily tasks can all be consecrated and elevated when approached with a heart to honor God. We are encouraged to recognize that our talents, no matter how mundane or specialized they may seem, are potential vessels for the Spirit's transformative work. This perspective transforms our work from mere labor into sacred service, reminding us that every good and perfect gift comes from above, and that God delights in using ordinary people with extraordinary, divinely-imparted abilities to accomplish His will in the world. We are called to steward these gifts faithfully, using them to build up the body of Christ, to serve our communities, and to manifest God's glory in every sphere of life, remembering that our ultimate purpose is to reflect His creative and redemptive power.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I recognize the "Spirit of God" empowering me for my work or ministry, whether explicitly spiritual or seemingly secular?**
* **In what specific ways can my practical skills, creative talents, and intellectual abilities be consecrated and utilized for God's purposes today?**
* **How does understanding that God fills individuals with His Spirit for "all manner of workmanship" change my perspective on my daily tasks or creative endeavors?**

### FAQ
**Is this kind of divine empowerment only for special tasks like building the Tabernacle?**

Answer: No, while Bezalel's task was unique in its historical context and significance, the principle of divine empowerment for service extends to all believers across all ages. The Holy Spirit gifts individuals for various roles within the church and in the world. The New Testament teaches that the Spirit distributes diverse gifts to every believer for the common good ([1 Corinthians 12:7](/1_corinthians/12-7 "Manifestation of the Spirit for the Common Good")). These gifts include not only speaking and teaching but also serving, administering, showing mercy, and even practical skills that build up the community and advance God's kingdom ([Romans 12:6-8](/romans/12-6-8 "Gifts for Service")). God equips His people for *all* the good works He has prepared for them beforehand ([Ephesians 2:10](/ephesians/2-10 "Created for Good Works")), demonstrating that His Spirit empowers us for every calling, whether it involves spiritual leadership, creative arts, business, or family life, transforming ordinary tasks into sacred service.

**Does "spirit of God" here refer to the Holy Spirit as in the New Testament?**

Answer: While the Old Testament concept of the "Spirit of God" (רוּחַ אֱלֹהִים, _Ruach Elohim_) is not yet fully developed into the Trinitarian understanding of the Holy Spirit as the Third Person of the Godhead, it undeniably refers to the active, empowering presence and power of God Himself. This is the same divine agent who brought order out of chaos in creation ([Genesis 1:2](/genesis/1-2 "The Spirit of God Hovering Over the Waters")), empowered prophets to speak God's word ([Numbers 11:25](/numbers/11-25 "The Spirit on the Elders")), and equipped judges and kings for leadership. Bezalel's experience is a significant foreshadowing of the Spirit's indwelling and gifting in the New Covenant, where the Spirit is poured out on all believers, fulfilling prophecies like [Joel 2:28-29](/joel/2-28-29 "The Spirit Poured Out on All Flesh")). Thus, while the theological understanding of the Spirit evolves throughout biblical revelation, the divine source of empowerment is consistent, pointing to the very Spirit who now indwells and gifts every follower of Christ, enabling them for service and witness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 35:31, detailing Bezalel's Spirit-filled craftsmanship for the Tabernacle, finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound significance in Jesus Christ. The Tabernacle itself was a temporary dwelling place, a shadow pointing to the greater reality of God's presence among His people. Jesus is the true and ultimate [Tabernacle](/john/1-14 "The Word Became Flesh and Dwelt Among Us"), the Word made flesh who "tabernacled" among us, perfectly embodying God's presence and making Him known. The same Spirit who filled Bezalel to construct a physical dwelling now indwells believers through Christ, making them a spiritual temple ([1 Corinthians 3:16](/1_corinthians/3-16 "You Are God's Temple")), a dwelling place for God by the Spirit ([Ephesians 2:22](/ephesians/2-22 "A Dwelling Place for God by the Spirit")). Christ, as the embodiment of all wisdom and knowledge ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "In Christ Are Hidden All Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge")), now pours out His Spirit on His church, empowering them with diverse gifts—including wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and practical skills—for the building up of His spiritual body ([Ephesians 4:11-12](/ephesians/4-11-12 "Gifts for the Church")). Just as Bezalel was divinely equipped to construct the earthly dwelling, so too are believers, through Christ and by His Spirit, empowered to participate in the ongoing construction of God's eternal kingdom, manifesting His glory in every sphere of life until He returns.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

James 1:17

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Isaiah 11:2

And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;

Isaiah 11:5

And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.

2 Chronicles 2:14

The son of a woman of the daughters of Dan, and his father [was] a man of Tyre, skilful to work in gold, and in silver, in brass, in iron, in stone, and in timber, in purple, in blue, and in fine linen, and in crimson; also to grave any manner of graving, and to find out every device which shall be put to him, with thy cunning men, and with the cunning men of my lord David thy father.

Isaiah 61:1

¶ The Spirit of the Lord GOD [is] upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to [them that are] bound;

Isaiah 61:3

To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

Isaiah 28:26

For his God doth instruct him to discretion, [and] doth teach him.