Exodus 36:1

ยถ Then wrought Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whom the LORD put wisdom and understanding to know how to work all manner of work for the service of the sanctuary, according to all that the LORD had commanded.

Then wrought {H6213} Bezaleel {H1212} and Aholiab {H171}, and every wise {H2450} hearted {H3820} man {H376}, in whom {H1992} the LORD {H3068} put {H5414} wisdom {H2451} and understanding {H8394} to know {H3045} how to work {H6213} all manner of work {H4399} for the service {H5656} of the sanctuary {H6944}, according to all that the LORD {H3068} had commanded {H6680}.

"B'tzal'el and Oholi'av, along with all the craftsmen whom ADONAI has endowed with the wisdom and skill necessary to carry out the work needed for the sanctuary, are to do exactly according to everything ADONAI has ordered."

โ€œSo Bezalel, Oholiab, and every skilled person are to carry out everything commanded by the LORD, who has given them skill and ability to know how to perform all the work of constructing the sanctuary.โ€

And Bezalel and Oholiab shall work, and every wise-hearted man, in whom Jehovah hath put wisdom and understanding to know how to work all the work for the service of the sanctuary, according to all that Jehovah hath commanded.

Commentary

Commentary on Exodus 36:1 (KJV)

Exodus 36:1 introduces the commencement of the actual construction of the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary where God would dwell among His people in the wilderness. This verse highlights the divine source of the skills needed for this sacred task and the obedient execution of God's precise instructions.

Context

Following God's detailed blueprints for the Tabernacle given to Moses on Mount Sinai (starting in Exodus 25) and the subsequent call for freewill offerings from the Israelites in Exodus 35, this verse signals the transition from planning and preparation to active creation. Moses had already identified Bezaleel and Aholiab as the chief artisans, specially gifted by God for this monumental work. The narrative here shows these divinely appointed leaders, along with other skilled individuals, beginning the intricate work of constructing the wilderness sanctuary.

Key Themes

  • Divine Empowerment for Sacred Service: The verse explicitly states that the LORD "put wisdom and understanding" into Bezaleel, Aholiab, and "every wise hearted man." This underscores that their extraordinary craftsmanship was not merely innate human talent but a direct, supernatural gift from God, equipping them perfectly for His specific purpose. This divine enablement was specifically promised to Bezaleel earlier in Exodus, and extended to Aholiab and others.
  • Obedience to Divine Command: The phrase "according to all that the LORD had commanded" is crucial. It emphasizes that the Tabernacle was to be built with absolute fidelity to God's detailed instructions. This obedience ensured that the sanctuary was a true reflection of God's will and a suitable place for His presence, setting a precedent for all future acts of worship and service. The completion of the Tabernacle is later affirmed to be exactly as the LORD commanded.
  • Collaboration and Community Contribution: While Bezaleel and Aholiab were the lead craftsmen, the inclusion of "every wise hearted man" highlights the collective effort involved. Many skilled individuals, both men and women (as seen in Exodus 35), contributed their time, talents, and resources, demonstrating that God's work often involves the unified participation of His people.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "wise hearted" (Hebrew: chakam-lev, ื—ึฒื›ึทืึพืœึตื‘) is significant. It implies more than just intellectual knowledge or mental acuity; it speaks of practical skill, discernment, and an inner disposition that enables one to perform tasks with excellence and understanding. This "wisdom of heart" is presented not as a natural aptitude but as a divine impartation, directly given by the LORD for the specific "service of the sanctuary."

Practical Application

Exodus 36:1 offers enduring lessons for believers today:

  • God Equips for His Call: Just as God gifted Bezaleel and Aholiab, He equips believers with spiritual gifts and natural talents for the work He calls them to do (see 1 Corinthians 12:4-11). Every skill, whether in art, administration, teaching, or service, can be consecrated and used for God's glory.
  • Obedience is Paramount: Our service to God must be done according to His will and Word, not our own ideas or preferences. The meticulous adherence to God's commands in building the Tabernacle reminds us of the importance of biblical fidelity in all areas of life and ministry.
  • All Talents Can Serve God: This verse broadens our understanding of "ministry." It's not just preaching or teaching; it includes craftsmanship, design, organization, and any skill that contributes to the building up of God's kingdom and the worship of His name.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Exodus 28:3

    And thou shalt speak unto all [that are] wise hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron's garments to consecrate him, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.

  • Exodus 31:1

    ยถ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

  • Exodus 31:6

    And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan: and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee;

  • Exodus 35:30

    ยถ And Moses said unto the children of Israel, See, the LORD hath called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah;

  • Exodus 35:35

    Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart, to work all manner of work, of the engraver, and of the cunning workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, and in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, [even] of them that do any work, and of those that devise cunning work.

  • Exodus 25:8

    And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.

  • Exodus 39:1

    ยถ And of the blue, and purple, and scarlet, they made cloths of service, to do service in the holy [place], and made the holy garments for Aaron; as the LORD commanded Moses.
โ† Back