Exodus 31

This chapter concludes the instructions for building the tabernacle that began in chapter 25 of Exodus. Exodus 30 gave the regulations for the altar of incense, the laver, the anointing oil, and the incense. This chapter goes on to name the craftsmen who will carry out the work, set out the Sabbath regulations, and record the giving of the two stone tablets. The next chapter recounts the golden calf incident.

Outline

• Verses 1–5: The LORD calls by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. He fills him with the Spirit of God and entrusts him with working in gold, silver, and bronze, cutting stones, and carving wood.
• Verse 6: The LORD appoints Oholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to assist Bezalel. He also gives wisdom to all who are wise-hearted.
• Verses 7–11: A list of the items to be made follows: the tent of meeting, the ark of the testimony and the mercy seat, the table, the pure gold lampstand, the altar of incense, the altar of burnt offering, the laver and its base, the garments of Aaron and his sons, and the anointing oil and incense.
• Verses 12–17: Israel is commanded to keep the Sabbath as a sign between God and Israel throughout their generations and as a perpetual covenant. Anyone who works on that day is to be put to death. The basis given is the six days of creation and the rest on the seventh day.
• Verse 18: After finishing speaking with Moses on Mount Sinai, God gives him the two tablets of the testimony, tablets of stone written by God himself.

Key Verses

• Exodus 31:3: "And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship." The verse portrays the Spirit of God as the source of technical and artistic ability.
• Exodus 31:13: "For it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations." The verse defines the Sabbath as a sign of the covenant.
• Exodus 31:18: "And he gave unto Moses . . . two tables of testimony." This is the first giving of the tablets that are broken in chapter 32 and made again in chapter 34.

People and Places

• Bezalel and Oholiab: The two craftsmen charged with building the tabernacle. Bezalel was of the tribe of Judah, and Oholiab was of the tribe of Dan.
• Hur: Bezalel's grandfather. The text does not say whether he is the same Hur who, together with Aaron, held up Moses' hands in chapter 17.
• Moses: The one who receives God's instructions and conveys them to the people.
• Mount Sinai: The mountain where Moses received the law and the instructions for the tabernacle.

Points for Reflection

• The seven speeches and the Sabbath: In chapters 25–31 the introductory formula "And the LORD spake unto Moses" appears seven times, and the last of these introduces the Sabbath regulations. Some interpreters read this arrangement in parallel with the seven days of creation. The arrangement is also read to mean that even the work of building the tabernacle does not take precedence over the Sabbath.
• Jewish tradition: Rabbinic tradition is known to have derived the categories of work forbidden on the Sabbath from the types of labor involved in constructing the tabernacle.
• Denominational understandings: Christian traditions differ in how they apply the Sabbath regulations. Presbyterians who follow the Westminster Confession of Faith hold that the moral principle of the Sabbath carries over to the Lord's Day. Some traditions, including Lutherans, hold that the Sabbath regulations have been fulfilled in Christ (Hebrews 4:9–11) and observe Sunday as the day of worship. The Seventh-day Adventist Church cites this passage as a basis for observing the Saturday Sabbath. These questions are treated in more detail in the article Sabbath and Lord's Day.
• Connections with the New Testament: Paul contrasts tablets of stone with the tablets of the heart (2 Corinthians 3:3–6). He also says that the Holy Spirit distributes a variety of gifts (1 Corinthians 12:4–11).