And in cutting of stones to set them and in carving of timber to work in all manner of workmanship.Exodus 31:5 Explainer ## Introduction - In Plain Language: God gives people skill and artistic ability — like stone-cutting and wood-carving — so they can make beautiful, careful work for the tabernacle. - Big idea: God honors skilled work and gives gifts for creative, technical labor that serves the community and worship. - Key points: - The verse names specific crafts (stone-cutting and wood-carving) as honorable, purposeful work. - God equips people with skill and creativity for sacred projects. - Practical, technical work is part of worship — attention to detail matters. ## Context - Where this verse fits in: Exodus 31 is part of the section where God appoints Bezalel (and later Oholiab) and describes the skills needed to build the tabernacle — the portable sanctuary the Israelites will carry through the wilderness. - Story timeline: This happens shortly after the giving of the covenant at Sinai, during the wilderness period after the Exodus. The speaker is God (through Moses) to the people of Israel; the passage identifies and commissions artisans to build the sacred space. - Surrounding passage: The verses immediately before (esp. Exodus 31:1–4) say God filled Bezalel with the Spirit, wisdom, understanding, and knowledge to do every kind of craftsman’s work. Verse 5 lists specific abilities — cutting and setting stones, carving wood, and working in every kind of craft. Verses after (31:6–11) name Oholiab and others who will assist and summarize the commissioning for the tabernacle and its furnishings. ## Explanation - Quick take: Exodus 31:5 highlights that God provides practical skill and artistry for building worship spaces; the verse lifts up technical work as part of God’s redemptive plan. - In Depth: - This verse gives concrete examples (stone-setting and wood-carving) to show the range of talents required to build the tabernacle. Those crafts involved planning, precision, and aesthetic judgment — not mere manual labor. - Theologically it follows the declaration that Bezalel was “filled with the Spirit” (v. 3), connecting divine gifting with vocational skill. The Spirit’s empowerment here is not just for prophetic speech but for skilled, practical work. - The term translated “workmanship” or “craft” (see Key Words) points to expert, intentional labor — skills honed for purpose. The tabernacle’s beauty and function depended on these crafts, so the verse teaches that technical excellence and artistic craft are fitting responses to God’s call. - Practically, the verse dignifies trades and the creative arts: carpenters, sculptors, stonemasons, and designers are doing God-honoring work when serving the community. It also models teamwork — specialists contribute together to a communal, sacred goal. ## Key Words - ḥāṣab / חָצָב (often transliterated ḥatsav) — “to hew, cut, quarry” (used for cutting stones). - ḥārash / חָרַשׁ — “to carve, engrave, make” (used for carving wood or crafting). - mĕlāk̠āh / מְלָאכָה (melachah) — “work, craft, skilled labor” (a broad term that includes technical and artistic trades; also the word used for “work” in Sabbath laws). ## Background - In the ancient Near East, temple and palace construction required highly skilled artisans — masons, carpenters, metalworkers, and embroiderers. The tabernacle’s materials (precious metals, stones, fine woods, and textiles) required craftsmen who could work precisely and artistically. - Naming specific crafts signals the value placed on expertise and beauty in worship. The tabernacle was meant to be functional and beautiful; its makers were honored and commissioned. - The person named earlier, Bezalel (“in the shadow of God” or “in God’s protection”), symbolizes that these skills were seen as gifts from God, not merely human talent. ## Theology - God gives spiritual gifts that include practical and creative abilities — the Spirit equips people in varied ways. - Skilled, careful work can be an act of worship when done for God and community. - Building sacred space requires cooperation: God calls and equips multiple people with complementary skills for a shared holy purpose. ## Application To Your Life - For workers and tradespeople: Your craftsmanship matters. Excellence in your job — whether in a shop, office, or on a construction site — can be a way of honoring God. Take pride in doing your work well and ethically. - For parents and teachers: Encourage children’s creative and technical gifts (woodworking, art, design, craft). These are legitimate callings, not merely hobbies. - For church leaders and volunteers: Value and include skilled people in ministry planning — carpenters, artists, technicians, and designers expand what your community can do for worship and service. - For seekers and others: Notice that God cares about the concrete — beauty, order, and usefulness — as much as beliefs. Faith shows up in everyday skills and service. - Reflection questions: - What practical skill or creative gift do I have that could serve my family, church, or community? - How do I treat people who do “manual” or technical work — with respect and appreciation, or as less important? - Where in my life could attention to detail and excellence be an act of service? - Short prayer: Lord, help me to use the gifts and skills you’ve given me for good, to work with care, and to honor you through what I make and do. ## Translation Comparison - KJV: “And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship.” - NIV: “and to engage in the cutting of stones, and in setting them, and in carving wood, to do every sort of artistic work.” - ESV: “and in the cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving wood, to work in all kinds of craftwork.” - NASB: “and in the cutting of stones for setting, and in carving of wood, for work in every craft.” - Why differences matter: Translators render the key term melachah as “workmanship,” “craftwork,” or “artistic work,” which affects whether readers hear this as general labor, specialized craft, or art. Phrasing like “cutting of stones” vs “cutting stones for setting” clarifies that the stone work was functional (setting stones into place) as well as decorative. Translation choices shape how plain readers understand the balance of art, technique, and purpose in the tabernacle work. ## FAQs - Q: Does Exodus 31:5 mean God prefers art and beauty over other kinds of work? A: Not exactly. The verse shows that God values skilled, careful work — including art and craft — especially when it serves the community and worship. The surrounding context explicitly connects these skills to a sacred task: building the tabernacle. But elsewhere the Bible affirms many types of honest work (farming, teaching, leadership, etc.) as valuable. The point here is that technical skill and creative excellence are legitimate ways God works through people. They are neither lesser nor merely decorative; they help make worship possible and express care for the community’s sacred life. - Q: Is this verse suggesting spiritual gifting includes practical skills? A: Yes. Exodus 31 presents Bezalel as “filled with the Spirit of God” (v. 3) and then lists practical skills like stone-cutting and wood-carving. This connection demonstrates that God’s gifts include technical and artistic abilities, not only prophetic or speaking gifts. In Christian theology, this models that spiritual gifting (or divine enabling) covers a wide range of talents used to build community and pursue God’s purposes. It encourages communities to recognize and use practical gifts as part of their spiritual life. ## Cross References - Exodus 35:30–35 — Repeats the commissioning: God fills Bezalel with skill to teach others. (Same theme of Spirit-given craftsmanship.) - Exodus 36–37 — Descriptions of artisans executing the tabernacle work (shows the practical outworking of these skills). - Exodus 31:1–11 — Full commissioning and Sabbath instruction connected in the chapter (shows the larger context). - Proverbs 22:29 — “Do you see a man skilled in his work?…” (Affirms the value of skill in daily life.) - Colossians 3:23 — “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” (Connects daily labor with worship.) ## Deeper Study - Commentary synthesis (high-level): Most commentators see Exodus 31:5 as part of the larger commissioning of artisans for the tabernacle. Jewish and Christian interpreters emphasize that God’s Spirit equips people for varied tasks, and that skilled labor plays a role in sacred life. Scholars also note the chapter’s literary pairing of the Sabbath command with the commissioning, highlighting both God-given work and God-given rest. Discussions often focus on the meaning of melachah (work/craft) and the implication that art, design, and technical trades are integral to worship. - Group study bullets: - Read Exodus 31 and 35 together and list all the crafts mentioned; discuss how each craft contributed to the tabernacle’s function and beauty. - Share stories: invite people to talk about a craft or skill they use in service (cooking, woodworking, tech, music) and why it matters. - Reflect on church community: are there gifted craftsmen/artists we overlook? How can we include them in planning and ministry? - Explore the Sabbath link: discuss how honoring both work and rest looks in your setting. ## Related verses (compare and contrast) - Exodus 35:30–35 — Direct parallel that repeats the idea of the Spirit-given skill and shows the teaching role of Bezalel; useful to compare wording and emphasis. - Proverbs 22:29 — Emphasizes the social and economic recognition of skilled work; contrasts wisdom literature’s practical praise with Exodus’s sacred commissioning. - Colossians 3:23 — Frames all work as service to the Lord, extending the Exodus idea into New Testament teaching about daily labor as worship. ## Talk to the Bible Try the ‘Talk To The Bible’ feature to explore how this verse connects to your life and community. Suggested prompts to ask the AI: - “Show me other Bible passages that connect the Spirit of God with practical skills and crafts.” - “How could my church practically include skilled tradespeople and artists in worship and service?” - “Give a short devotional or reflection based on Exodus 31:5 focused on honoring everyday work.”
