Meaning of Exodus 31
Exodus 31 is a chapter in the second book of the Torah and the Old Testament, named “Exodus”. This chapter is known for its dealing with the endowment of God’s gifts to skilled craftsmen, such as Bezalel and Oholiab.
Here’s a brief synopsis:
Exodus 31 starts with God speaking to Moses about two men, Bezalel son of Uri and Oholiab son of Ahisamach, whom He has chosen and filled with His divine Spirit. This divine influence has endowed them with wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and all kinds of craftsmanship, enabling them to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver, and bronze, cut and set stones, work in wood, and engage in all kinds of craft.
Next, God instructs Moses that the Sabbath is a sign between Him and the Israelites, for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, but on the seventh day He was refreshed and rested. Therefore, the Israelites must observe the Sabbath – anyone who desecrates it must be put to death; whoever does any work on that day is to be cut off from their people.
God gave Moses two tablets of the Testimony, which are stone tablets inscribed by the finger of God. These tablets contain the commandments God had given to instruct the Israelites.
Is there a specific part of Exodus 31 that you would like me to explain further?
Exodus 31 kjv
Exodus 31 is a chapter from the book of Exodus in the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible. Below is a brief summary of the chapter’s main narrative:
1. Craftsmen Bezalel and Aholiab are chosen (verses 1-6):
God tells Moses that he has chosen two skilled craftsmen, Bezalel and Aholiab, to help construct the Tabernacle (God’s dwelling place). They will use their artistic and creative abilities to make various items needed for the Tabernacle, including the Ark of the Covenant, table for the Bread of the Presence, lampstand, altars for burnt and incense offerings, and priestly garments. God also says he has given these men the ability to teach their craft to others.
2. The Sabbath affirmed (verses 12-17):
God then commands Moses and the Israelites to observe the Sabbath, a day of rest from work, as a covenant or contract between God and His people. This is a signal for everyone that the Lord is the One who makes them holy. Anyone who violates the Sabbath by doing any work on it would be cut off from among his people or be put to death.
3. The Two Tablets of the Covenant Law (verses 18):
The chapter closes with God giving Moses two stone tablets inscribed with the laws (also known as the Ten Commandments), that the people are to follow. These tablets were written by the finger of God.
This chapter touches on God’s exact standards for His place of worship, the value of craftmanship, the importance of Sabbath, and giving of laws at Sinai. It reveals how God uses people’s talents and reiterates the necessity of resting on the Sabbath day, emphasizing God’s sovereignty over time and instruction for healthy living. It also signifies the formalization of God’s relationship with His people through the given laws.
Exodus 31 nkjv
Exodus 31 of the New King James Version (NKJV) Bible is primarily focused on two topics: the appointment of craftsmen Bezalel and Aholiab, and the strict observance of the Sabbath day.
Verses 1-11 pertain to the appointment of Bezalel and Aholiab as leaders for the crafting of the Tabernacle. God says that He has filled Bezalel with the Spirit of God, in wisdom and understanding, in knowledge and in all kinds of craftsmanship. Aholiab is described as his assistant. They are to make all which God commanded Moses, such as the Tent of Meeting, the Ark of Testimony, the Mercy Seat, other furnishings, the priestly garments, the anointing oil and the incense.
Verses 12-17 highlight the importance of observing the Sabbath. God commands that the Israelites must regard the Sabbath as a sign between them and God, a day of complete rest, to acknowledge that it was He who sanctified them. It is conveyed as an everlasting covenant and anyone who profaned the Sabbath (by working on that day) was to be put to death.
In the final verse (18), God finishes speaking with Moses on Mount Sinai and gives him two tablets of the Testimony, inscribed by the finger of God.
Remember, the interpretations and teachings can vary depending on different Christian traditions and individual beliefs.
Exodus 31 niv
Exodus 31 is a chapter from the Bible in the Old Testament. It presents the narrative where God appointed two skilled craftsmen—Bezalel and Oholiab—to construct the tabernacle, ark, and sacred items for worship according to God’s precise instructions and specifications. In the New International Version (NIV) of the Bible, here is a summary of the main themes:
1. Verses 1-11: God indicates Bezalel as the primary artisan for the work, stating that he has been filled with the Spirit of God, who gives him the wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and skills required. God also mentions Oholiab to work along with Bezalel. Additionally, it is mentioned that God has given the ability to teach their skills to others. They are expected to craft the Tent of Meeting, Ark of the Covenant, furnishings, the priests’ garments, and the anointing oil and fragrant incense.
2. Verses 12-17: This section focuses on the Sabbath’s sanctity—a day of rest holds significance as a sign of the covenant between God and the Israelites. It is a perpetual covenant and must be observed on penalty of death.
3. Verses 18: Finally, after giving these instructions, God hands Moses two stone tablets inscribed by God’s finger, containing the commands for the people.
Concisely, Exodus 31 NIV deals with craftsmanship required for sacred work, importance of Sabbath, and God’s engagement with Moses.
What is Exodus 31 all about?
Exodus 31 is part of the Torah (Jewish Law) and the Old Testament in the Christian Bible. This chapter continues the detailed instructions regarding the construction and function of the holy tabernacle – the portable sanctuary used by the Israelites until they reached the promised land.
The chapter begins with the Lord appointing Bezalel, son of Uri, of the tribe of Judah, and filling him with the Spirit of God, granting him wisdom, understanding, and expertise in all craftsmanship. This is to create artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, cut and set stones, work in wood and carry out all kinds of artistic crafts. Essentially, Bezalel is appointed as the chief artisan for the construction and decoration of the tabernacle and its furnishings.
God also appoints Oholiab, son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to assist Bezalel. Many others are likewise filled with skill to perform the tasks involved in building the Tabernacle.
The latter part of the chapter covers the important command from God regarding the Sabbath. It is to be a day of rest, to acknowledge and honor God’s creation of the universe. The Lord emphasizes that the Sabbath is a sign of a lasting covenant and that it must be respected; work on the Sabbath is punishable by death.
In closing, He gave Moses the two tablets of the Testimony, which were stone tablets inscribed by the finger of God with the Commandments. It symbolizes the close of God’s direct communication of laws and instructions to Moses on Mount Sinai.
What does Exodus 31 teaches?
Exodus 31 primarily focuses on the Sabbath and the roles of two men whom God has chosen to lead the work on the tabernacle.
At the beginning of the chapter, the Lord speaks to Moses about two men, Bezalel and Oholiab, whom He has chosen and filled with the Spirit of God to possess skills in all manner of craftsmanship (Exodus 31:1-11). They are appointed to supervise the construction of the tabernacle and the crafting of the priestly garments and sacred objects which are to be used for worship.
Exodus 31:12-17 details the importance of the Sabbath, emphasizing that it is a sign of the covenant between God and the Israelites. The Sabbath is mandated as a day of rest, and the punishment for anyone who defiles it is death.
Verse 18 concludes the chapter by mentioning that when God finished speaking with Moses on Mount Sinai, He gave him the two tablets of the Testimony, which were stone tablets inscribed by the finger of God.
In teaching, Exodus 31 emphasizes God’s ability to empower individuals with skills and abilities to accomplish His work. Also, it highlights the sacredness of the Sabbath as a day of rest and a sign of the covenant between God and His people.
A Sermon on Exodus 31
Exodus 31 is a chapter in the Bible’s Old Testament. A sermon on this would likely center around God’s instructions to the Israelites concerning the construction of the Tabernacle and the practice of the Sabbath. Here’s a summary and explanation of those points:
1. God’s Skilled Workers (Exodus 31:1-11): In the beginning of the chapter, God chose Bezalel, filled him with His spirit, and also gave him wisdom, understanding, and knowledge in all kinds of craftsmanship. Together with Aholiab and other skilled workers, they were entrusted with the task of creating the Tabernacle, Ark of the Covenant, and all the related sacred items as commanded by God. A sermon may emphasize the idea that God gifts individuals with specific talents and skills to be put to service in His kingdom.
2. Observance of the Sabbath (Exodus 31:12-17): God also instructed the Israelites to observe the Sabbath day. Keeping the Sabbath holy was a sign of the covenant between God and the Israelites. God’s rest on the seventh day after creation was given as a precedent for this. Here, the stress might be on the importance of rest and remembering God’s grace and creation. The observance of Sabbath is associated with blessing and holiness which indicates the intimate relationship between God and His people.
3. Giving of the Two Tablets (Exodus 31:18): The chapter ends with God giving Moses two stone tablets containing the commandments, written by God’s own finger. A sermon on this bit might underscore the divine origin of law and the gravity of God’s commandments.
In summary, a sermon on Exodus 31 invokes topics like individual talents, the importance of worship and rest in honoring God, the sanctity of God’s commandments, and the covenantal relationship between God and His followers.
Key people in Exodus 31
Exodus 31 of the Bible mentions two key figures: Bezalel and Oholiab.
1. Bezalel: He was from the tribe of Judah and was specifically chosen by God to be filled with the Spirit of God, giving him wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and all kinds of craftsmanship. This enabled him to design artistic works, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, cut and set stones, and to work in wood.
2. Oholiab: He was from the tribe of Dan and was chosen to assist Bezalel. God filled him with the Spirit of wisdom, ability, and knowledge in every kind of craft to design artistic works and to work in gold, silver, bronze, cutting stones for setting, and carving wood. Additionally, he was enabled to perform all types of creative tasks.
Both of these men were given the very specific task of constructing the Tabernacle, and all of its furnishings, exactly as Moses was instructed by God on Mount Sinai. This included creating the Ark of the Covenant and the garments for the priests.
Although the name of God or Moses are not mentioned as ‘people’, they play a significant role in this chapter due to the divine selection of Bezalel and Oholiab and the directions given to Moses on Mount Sinai. God empowers these men with wisdom and understanding to skillfully carry out all the work necessary to construct the Tabernacle.
Real world examples on Exodus 31
Exodus 31 primarily focuses on God’s instructions to Moses regarding the craftsmen Bezalel, the son of Uri, grandson of Hur, and Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. God grants them skill, ability, and knowledge in all kinds of crafts to construct and serve in the tabernacle, which is God’s tent of meeting.
Here are the important sections of Exodus 31 with real-world examples:
1. Verses 1-11 (Craftsmanship): The specific crafts mentioned (metalwork, woodwork, carving, weaving, anointing oil and incense preparation) are representative of the careers we have today that involve crafting skills, detailed work, and creativity. Hence, architects, interior designers, artists, sculptors, and anyone involved in the creation and design of structures or art are real-world examples of these verses.
2. Verses 12-17 (Sabbath observance): This reflects the creation of the workweek and weekend which exists in today’s society worldwide. The Sabbath is traditionally observed from Friday evening through Saturday evening in the Jewish tradition and on Sunday in many Christian traditions. However, its principle is demonstrated in our modern society’s concept of weekly rest days: generally, Saturday and Sunday, when people cease their work and spend time in relaxation or activities they enjoy.
3. Verses 18 (Moses receiving the two stone tablets): This doesn’t really have direct correlations in the modern world because it is a unique religious event specific to the biblical era. But analogously, it can be seen anytime people receive important laws or regulations in a concrete format, just as Moses received the Ten Commandments. For example, when a country ratifies a new constitution, when an organization publishes its rules, or when a company issues its code of conduct to employees.
Brief Explanation of Exodus 31
Exodus 31 mainly focuses on two themes; the selection of the craftsmen and the importance of observing Sabbath.
In the first part, God appoints Bezalel and Oholiab as the main artisans for the building of the Tabernacle. They are not only skilled craftsmen, but are also inspired with wisdom to be leaders and teachers. Bezalel is from the tribe of Judah, which shows that God chose the best from His chosen people. Oholiab, on the other hand, is from the tribe of Dan, one of the least significant tribes, showing that God uses people irrespective of their status.
In the second part, God emphasizes the importance of observing the Sabbath for the Israelites. He ordered them to work for six days but rest on the seventh, making it a holy and sanctified day for them. Anyone who violated the Sabbath would face severe consequences. This shows the Israelites the significance of maintaining a balanced life with proper rest and not just continuous labor. Additionally, the Sabbath served as a sign of the covenant between God and the Israelites.
Hence, Exodus 31 explains the careful guidance and wisdom from God in the construction of his holy Tabernacle and the significance of honoring the Sabbath.
Frequently asked questions for Exodus 31
Exodus 31 of the Bible deals primarily with the artisans God chose for constructing the tabernacle and the commandment of the Sabbath. I’ll list some frequently asked questions and their answers below.
1. **Who were the workers selected to build the tabernacle and its furnishings?**
God chose Bezalel of the tribe of Judah and filled him with divine spirit of skill, ability, and knowledge in every kind of craft. Then He selected Oholiab of the tribe of Dan to assist him. They were skillful in designing and working with textiles, metals, and woodworking.
2. **What exactly were Bezalel and Oholiab appointed to create?**
They were instructed to make the Ark of the Testimony, the mercy seat, the table and its showbread, the pure gold lampstand with all its utensils, the altar of incense, the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils, the basin and its stand, the woven garments, the holy garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons for their priestly service.
3. **What is the significance of the Sabbath according to Exodus 31?**
The Sabbath is considered a sign between God and the Israelites, showing that God sanctified them. There’s a strong emphasis on the importance of observing the Sabbath and it is described as a day of complete rest, holy to the Lord.
4. **What happens if the Sabbath is not observed according to Exodus 31?**
Exodus 31 emphasizes that anyone who does not observe the Sabbath, treating it as an ordinary day, is to be put to death and will be cut off from his people.
5. **What did God give Moses at the end of Exodus 31?**
When God finished speaking with Moses on Mount Sinai, He gave him two tablets of the Testimony, stones inscribed by the finger of God.
Please note that the interpretation of these passages can vary depending on the version of the Bible and one’s personal religious beliefs.
Possible References for Exodus 31
Exodus 31 is a chapter in the Book of Exodus, which is the second book of the Torah and the Biblical Old Testament. Here are some possible references that could be drawn from this chapter:
1. The Lord Calls Bezalel and Oholiab: Verses 1-11 detail how the Lord calls Bezalel and Oholiab to make the Ark of the Covenant and all the tabernacle furnishings, including the anointing oils and incense. Bezalel was known for his remarkable skills given by the Lord in craftsmanship, and Oholiab was his assistant. This subject is often referred to when discussing spiritual gifts and the idea that God equips individuals with specific abilities to serve Him.
2. Observance of the Sabbath: Verses 12-17 explain the significance of the Sabbath, a day of rest as commanded by God. It is referred to as a “sign” between God and the Israelites throughout all generations. These verses are often referenced in discussions about the importance of observing the Sabbath or rest in general.
3. Moses Receives the Two Tablets: In verses 18, Moses receives the two tablets of the Testament, inscribed by the finger of God. This part is frequently referenced in relation to God’s law, commandments, and the foundation of Jewish and Christian moral laws.
These are general references; specific interpretations or understandings can vary significantly depending on the religious traditions or scholarly views.
Conclusion on Exodus 31
Exodus 31 concludes with a commandment from God to the Israelites regarding the observance of Sabbath. In Exodus 31:12-18, God instructed Moses to tell the children of Israel to follow the Sabbath meticulously as a perpetual sign of the covenant between them and God.
In verses 14 and 15, God specified the Sabbath as a day of rest, and any individual who desecrates it would be cut off from the community or even put to death. These repercussions illustrate the gravity and significance of keeping the Sabbath holy.
The Sabbath is further described as being holy to God Himself in verse 15. In verse 16 and 17, the Israelites are mandated to observe the Sabbath through all their generations as an everlasting covenant. It’s highlighted as a testimony that in six days God made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day, He rested and was refreshed.
Exodus 31 concludes in verses 18 with God giving Moses the stone tablets of the commandments, inscribed by the finger of God.
Overall, the conclusion of Exodus 31 underscores the vital role the Sabbath plays within the religious practices of the Israelite community. It was considered a day of rest and reverence for God, serving as an essential part of their ongoing covenant with Him. It also solidifies the notion of the sacredness of laws given by God to Moses.