TRV
Translation
King James Version
And Moses called Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whose heart the LORD had put wisdom, even every one whose heart stirred him up to come unto the work to do it:
Complete Jewish Bible
Moshe summoned B'tzal'el, Oholi'av and every craftsman to whom ADONAI had given wisdom, everyone whose heart stirred him, to come and take part in the work.
Berean Standard Bible
Then Moses summoned Bezalel, Oholiab, and every skilled person whom the LORD had gifted—everyone whose heart stirred him to come and do the work.
American Standard Version
And Moses called Bezalel and Oholiab, and every wise-hearted man, in whose heart Jehovah had put wisdom, even every one whose heart stirred him up to come unto the work to do it:
World English Bible Messianic
Moses called Bezalel and Oholiab, and every wise-hearted man, in whose heart the LORD had put wisdom, even everyone whose heart stirred him up to come to the work to do it:
Geneva Bible (1599)
For Moses had called Bezaleel, and Aholiab, and all the wise hearted men, in whose heartes the Lord had giuen wisedome, euen as many as their hearts encouraged to come vnto that worke to worke it.
Young's Literal Translation
And Moses calleth unto Bezaleel, and unto Aholiab, and unto every wise-hearted man in whose heart Jehovah hath given wisdom, every one whom his heart lifted up, to come near unto the work to do it.
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In the KJVVerse 2,569 of 31,102
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Commentary on Exodus 36 verses 1–7
1 ¶ 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.
2 And Moses called Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whose heart the LORD had put wisdom, even every one whose heart stirred him up to come unto the work to do it:
3 And they received of Moses all the offering, which the children of Israel had brought for the work of the service of the sanctuary, to make it withal. And they brought yet unto him free offerings every morning.
4 And all the wise men, that wrought all the work of the sanctuary, came every man from his work which they made;
5 And they spake unto Moses, saying, The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work, which the LORD commanded to make.
6 And Moses gave commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, Let neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary. So the people were restrained from bringing.
7 For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the work to make it, and too much.
I. The workmen set in without delay. Then they wrought, Exo 36:1. When God had qualified them for the work, then they applied themselves to it. Note, The talents we are entrusted with must not be laid up, but laid out; not hid in a napkin, but traded with. What have we all our gifts for, but to do good with them? They began when Moses called them, Exo 36:2. Even those whom God has qualified for, and inclined to, the service of the tabernacle, yet must wait for a regular call to it, either extraordinary, as that of prophets and apostles, or ordinary, as that of pastors and teachers. And observe who they were that Moses called: Those in whose heart God had put wisdom for this purpose, beyond their natural capacity, and whose heart stirred them up to come to the work in good earnest. Note, Those are to be called to the building of the gospel tabernacle whom God has by his grace made in some measure fit for the work and free to engage in it. Ability and willingness (with resolution) are the two things to be regarded in the call of ministers. Has God given them not only knowledge, but wisdom? (for those that would win souls must be wise, and have their hearts stirred up to come to the work, and not to the honour only; to do it, and not to talk of it only), let them come to it with full purpose of heart to go through with it. The materials which the people had contributed were delivered by Moses to the workmen, Exo 36:3. They could not create a tabernacle, that is, make it out of nothing, nor work, unless they had something to work upon; the people therefore brought the materials and Moses put them into their hands. Precious souls are the materials of the gospel tabernacle; they are built up a spiritual house, Pe1 2:5. To this end they are to offer themselves a free-will offering to the Lord, for his service (Rom 15:16), and they are then committed to the care of his ministers, as builders, to be framed and wrought upon by their edification and increase in holiness, till they all come, like the curtains of the tabernacle, in the unity of the faith, to be a holy temple, Eph 2:21, Eph 2:22; Eph 4:12, Eph 4:13.
II. The contributions restrained. The people continued to bring free offerings every morning, Exo 36:3. Note, We should always make it our morning's work to bring our offerings unto the Lord; even the spiritual offerings of prayer and praise, and a broken heart surrendered entirely to God. This is that which the duty of every day requires. God's compassions are new every morning, and so must our duty to him be. Probably there were some that were backward at first to bring their offering, but their neighbours' forwardness stirred them up and shamed them. The zeal of some provoked many. There are those who will be content to follow who yet do not care for leading in a good work. It is best to be forward, but better late than never. Or perhaps some who had offered at first, having pleasure in reflecting upon it, offered more; so far were they from grudging what they had contributed, that they doubled their contribution. Thus, in charity, give a portion to seven, and also to eight; having given much, give more. Now observe, 1. The honesty of the workmen. When they had cut out their work, and found how their stuff held out, and that the people were still forward to bring in more, they went in a body to Moses to tell him that there needed no more contributions, Exo 36:4, Exo 36:5. Had they sought their own things, they had now a fair opportunity of enriching themselves by the people's gifts; for they might have made up their work, and converted the overplus to their own use, as perquisites of their place. But they were men of integrity, that scorned to do so mean a thing as to sponge upon the people, and enrich themselves with that which was offered to the Lord. Those are the greatest cheats that cheat the public. If to murder many is worse than to murder one, by the same rule to defraud communities, and to rob the church or state, is a much greater crime than to pick the pocket of a single person. But these workmen were not only ready to account for all they received, but were not willing to receive more than they had occasion for, lest they should come either into the temptation or under the suspicion of taking it to themselves. These were men that knew when they had enough. 2. The liberality of the people. Though they saw what an abundance was contributed, yet they continued to offer, till they were forbidden by proclamation, Exo 36:6, Exo 36:7. A rare instance! Most need a spur to quicken their charity; few need a bridle to check it, yet these did. Had Moses aimed to enrich himself, he might have suffered them still to bring in their offerings; and when the work was finished might have taken the remainder to himself: but he also preferred the public before his own private interest, and was therein a good example to all in public trusts. It is said (Exo 36:6), The people were restrained from bringing; they looked upon it as a restraint upon them not to be allowed to do more for the tabernacle; such was the zeal of those people, who gave to their power, yea, and beyond their power, praying the collectors with much entreaty to receive the gift, Co2 8:3, Co2 8:4. These were the fruits of a first love; in these last-days charity has grown too cold for us to expect such things from it.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–7. Public domain.
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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Exodus 36:2 marks the pivotal transition from divine instruction and communal offering to the active construction of the Tabernacle. Moses, acting under God's direction, summons Bezaleel and Aholiab, along with every "wise hearted" individual—those divinely gifted with skill and wisdom, and whose spirits were willingly moved—to commence the sacred work. This verse powerfully illustrates the essential synergy between supernatural endowment and human willingness in fulfilling God's purposes, establishing a foundational model for collaborative, Spirit-empowered service within the community of faith.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices to convey its profound message. Divine Empowerment is central, explicitly stating that "the LORD had put wisdom" in their hearts, underscoring that the abilities required for sacred service are supernaturally bestowed. This contrasts with purely human skill, elevating the work to a divine enterprise and highlighting God's active involvement. There is also a clear use of Synecdoche, where "heart" (Hebrew: lêb) represents the whole person's intellect, will, and inner disposition. When the text speaks of the "wise hearted man" or "whose heart stirred him up," it refers to the entire individual's capacity for understanding, skill, and willing participation. Furthermore, the verse demonstrates Parallelism by juxtaposing divine gifting ("the LORD had put wisdom") with human responsiveness ("whose heart stirred him up"), highlighting the complementary and interdependent nature of God's initiative and humanity's willing participation in His redemptive work.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 36:2 profoundly illustrates the theological principle that God not only calls His people to specific tasks but also supernaturally equips them with the necessary gifts and empowers them with a willing spirit. The Tabernacle's construction was a divine initiative, yet it required human hands and hearts. This verse teaches that all true service for God's kingdom flows from a divine source of wisdom and ability, coupled with a responsive, eager human will. It underscores the value God places on both competence and devotion, demonstrating that His work is best accomplished when His people offer their Spirit-empowered gifts with joyful readiness, recognizing that their abilities are not solely their own but are divine endowments for His glory.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 36:2 offers enduring and transformative lessons for every believer today. It serves as a powerful reminder that God is the ultimate source of all true wisdom, skill, and motivation for service within His kingdom. Just as He sovereignly equipped Bezaleel and Aholiab for the intricate work of the Tabernacle, He continues to gift each of us for His unique purposes, whether in the local church, our families, our workplaces, or the wider world. Our calling is not merely to identify our natural talents but to discern how God has supernaturally endowed us, by His Spirit, for His kingdom work. Furthermore, the verse challenges us to cultivate a "stirred heart"—a spirit of genuine willingness, eager anticipation, and profound joy in our service, rather than acting out of mere obligation, duty, or compulsion. When divine gifting meets human willingness and a joyful spirit, the potential for God's glory to be manifested through our lives is limitless. We are invited to offer our whole selves—our intellect, our skills, our passions, and our desires—to the sacred work of building up His kingdom, knowing that every act of service, however seemingly small, when done with a wise heart and a willing spirit, contributes to His grand and eternal design.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Who were Bezaleel and Aholiab, and why were they specifically mentioned?
Answer: Bezaleel and Aholiab were the chief artisans divinely chosen and specially gifted by God to oversee and execute the construction of the Tabernacle and its intricate furnishings. They are first mentioned by name in Exodus 31:2-6, where God explicitly states that He had "filled him [Bezaleel] with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship." Aholiab was given a similar anointing and appointed as his assistant. Their specific mention in Exodus 36:2 highlights their pre-eminent leadership role and the divine origin of their extraordinary skills, making them exemplary models of Spirit-empowered craftsmanship for God's sacred work.
What does "wise hearted man" truly signify in this context?
Answer: The phrase "wise hearted man" (Hebrew: chakham lev) signifies far more than mere intellectual intelligence or natural talent. In biblical Hebrew, the "heart" (lev) is understood as the center of one's entire being—encompassing intellect, will, emotions, and moral character. Therefore, a "wise hearted man" is someone who possesses not just knowledge, but practical skill, discernment, ingenuity, and the ability to execute complex tasks with excellence and profound understanding. In the context of the Tabernacle, this wisdom was explicitly "put into their hearts by the LORD," signifying a divine endowment for the specific, intricate work of sacred craftsmanship, as also described in Exodus 35:31, distinguishing it from purely human aptitude.
Why was it important that their "heart stirred him up" to do the work?
Answer: The phrase "whose heart stirred him up" (Hebrew: nasa' libbo) emphasizes the crucial element of willing, eager, and voluntary participation. While God provided the wisdom and skill, He also desired a genuine, uncoerced response from His people. This highlights that service to God is not to be done out of compulsion, obligation, or mere duty, but from a deep, internal desire and joy. This willingness complements divine gifting, ensuring that the work is performed not just competently, but also with devotion, passion, and a joyful spirit, echoing the principle of freewill offerings found throughout the Tabernacle narrative, such as in Exodus 35:21.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 36:2, with its profound emphasis on divine wisdom, willing hearts, and the construction of God's dwelling place, finds its ultimate and most glorious Christ-centered fulfillment. The Tabernacle, meticulously crafted by divinely gifted hands, served as a temporary, symbolic dwelling for God among His people, powerfully foreshadowing the ultimate, perfect dwelling of God in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the true Immanuel, "God with us", the one in whom "all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell" bodily (Colossians 1:19; Colossians 2:9). He is the very embodiment of divine wisdom, far surpassing the wisdom given to Bezaleel and Aholiab, for He is the wisdom of God personified, through whom all things were created and sustained (John 1:3). Furthermore, the willing hearts of the artisans who eagerly came forward to serve prefigure Christ's ultimate and perfect willing sacrifice, as He declared, "I have come to do your will, O God" (Hebrews 10:7). His heart was stirred up by unparalleled love to accomplish the Father's redemptive will, culminating in His self-giving on the cross (Mark 10:45). Now, through Christ, believers are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, becoming a "spiritual house" and "a dwelling place for God by the Spirit" (Ephesians 2:22; 1 Peter 2:5), called to offer our Spirit-empowered gifts with willing hearts for the building up of His body, the Church (Ephesians 4:11-16). Thus, the ancient pattern of divine gifting and willing service for God's dwelling place culminates and continues in Christ and His redeemed people.