King James Version
Exodus 31
18 verses with commentary
Craftsmen for the Tabernacle
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
The LORD speaks to Moses—divine initiative again. God doesn't wait for Moses to ask about craftsmen but proactively provides. This establishes that God supplies what His purposes require. He commands the tabernacle's construction and provides the skilled workers to accomplish it. Similarly, God calls us to tasks and equips us for them—He never commands without enabling. His commands carry His empo...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
XXXI.
THE APPOINTMENT OF BEZALEEL AND AHOLIAB.
(1-11) The instructions needed for the making of the tabernacle, its furniture, and the priests’ dresses, were now complete. Moses was sufficiently informed, by what he had heard and seen, both as to the “Tent of Meeting” itself, and as to all its appurtenances and paraphernalia. But Moses was not himself an artist. Among the branches of knowledge com...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 31
Chapter Outline
Bezaleel and Aholiab are appointed and qualified for the work of the tabernacle.(1-11)
The observance of the sabbath.(12-17)
Moses receives the tables of the law.(18)
**Verses 1-11**
The Israelites, who had been masons and bricklayers in Egypt, were not qualified for curious workmanship; but the Spirit who gave the apostles utterance in divers tongu...
Read full commentary →See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah:
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KJV Study Commentary
Bezalel ben Uri ben Hur, of the tribe of Judah, is called by name—God knows His workers individually. Bezalel (בְּצַלְאֵל, 'in the shadow/protection of God') bears a name reflecting his relationship with God. From Judah's tribe (the royal tribe from which David and Christ come), Bezalel represents how God uses those under His protection for His purposes. Christ, the ultimate Son of Judah, is 'in t...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(2) **I have called by name.**—It is a high honour to be called of God *by name. *He thus calls only those whom He appoints to some great work, as Moses (Exodus 3:4; Exodus 33:12), Samuel (1Samuel 3:10), and Cyrus (Isaiah 45:3-4).
**Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur.**—Hur, the grandfather of Bezaleel, is generally supposed to be identical with the Hur who supported Moses’s hands (Exodus 17:...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 31
Chapter Outline
Bezaleel and Aholiab are appointed and qualified for the work of the tabernacle.(1-11)
The observance of the sabbath.(12-17)
Moses receives the tables of the law.(18)
**Verses 1-11**
The Israelites, who had been masons and bricklayers in Egypt, were not qualified for curious workmanship; but the Spirit who gave the apostles utterance in divers tongu...
Read full commentary →And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
Bezalel and Oholiab are filled with God's Spirit for artistic work—wisdom, understanding, knowledge, craftsmanship. This demonstrates that the Holy Spirit equips not only for preaching/teaching but for creative, technical skills. All talents serve God's purposes when consecrated to Him. The Spirit who designed creation enables artisans to create beauty for worship. Christ, the wisdom of God, is th...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(3-4) **I have filled him with the spirit of God . . . to devise cunning works.**—“Every good gift and every perfect gift (intellectual power no less than others) is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights” (James 1:17). Artistic ability is a Divine gift, a very precious gift, best employed in God’s direct service, and always to be employed in subordination to His will, as an improvi...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**4-9. Aaron and his sons thou shalt bring unto the door of the tabernacle--**as occupying the intermediate space between the court where the people stood, and the dwelling-place of Israel's king, and therefore the fittest spot for the priests being duly prepared for entrance, and the people witnessing the ceremony of inauguration.
**wash them with water. And ... take the garments--**The manner ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 31
Chapter Outline
Bezaleel and Aholiab are appointed and qualified for the work of the tabernacle.(1-11)
The observance of the sabbath.(12-17)
Moses receives the tables of the law.(18)
**Verses 1-11**
The Israelites, who had been masons and bricklayers in Egypt, were not qualified for curious workmanship; but the Spirit who gave the apostles utterance in divers tongu...
Read full commentary →To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
Bezalel and Oholiab are filled with God's Spirit for artistic work—wisdom, understanding, knowledge, craftsmanship. This demonstrates that the Holy Spirit equips not only for preaching/teaching but for creative, technical skills. All talents serve God's purposes when consecrated to Him. The Spirit who designed creation enables artisans to create beauty for worship. Christ, the wisdom of God, is th...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(4-5) **Cunning works . . . in gold, and in silver, and in brass, and in cutting of stones**
. . .—It is a characteristic of early art that it eschews specialism, and it is as nearly universal as possible. Theodore of Samos (ab. B.C. 600-560) was an architect, a worker in bronze, and an engraver of hard stones. Michael Angelo was an architect, painter, and sculptor. Giotto was the same, and also a...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**4-9. Aaron and his sons thou shalt bring unto the door of the tabernacle--**as occupying the intermediate space between the court where the people stood, and the dwelling-place of Israel's king, and therefore the fittest spot for the priests being duly prepared for entrance, and the people witnessing the ceremony of inauguration.
**wash them with water. And ... take the garments--**The manner ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 31
Chapter Outline
Bezaleel and Aholiab are appointed and qualified for the work of the tabernacle.(1-11)
The observance of the sabbath.(12-17)
Moses receives the tables of the law.(18)
**Verses 1-11**
The Israelites, who had been masons and bricklayers in Egypt, were not qualified for curious workmanship; but the Spirit who gave the apostles utterance in divers tongu...
Read full commentary →And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
Bezalel and Oholiab are filled with God's Spirit for artistic work—wisdom, understanding, knowledge, craftsmanship. This demonstrates that the Holy Spirit equips not only for preaching/teaching but for creative, technical skills. All talents serve God's purposes when consecrated to Him. The Spirit who designed creation enables artisans to create beauty for worship. Christ, the wisdom of God, is th...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**4-9. Aaron and his sons thou shalt bring unto the door of the tabernacle--**as occupying the intermediate space between the court where the people stood, and the dwelling-place of Israel's king, and therefore the fittest spot for the priests being duly prepared for entrance, and the people witnessing the ceremony of inauguration.
**wash them with water. And ... take the garments--**The manner ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 31
Chapter Outline
Bezaleel and Aholiab are appointed and qualified for the work of the tabernacle.(1-11)
The observance of the sabbath.(12-17)
Moses receives the tables of the law.(18)
**Verses 1-11**
The Israelites, who had been masons and bricklayers in Egypt, were not qualified for curious workmanship; but the Spirit who gave the apostles utterance in divers tongu...
Read full commentary →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;
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
Bezalel and Oholiab are filled with God's Spirit for artistic work—wisdom, understanding, knowledge, craftsmanship. This demonstrates that the Holy Spirit equips not only for preaching/teaching but for creative, technical skills. All talents serve God's purposes when consecrated to Him. The Spirit who designed creation enables artisans to create beauty for worship. Christ, the wisdom of God, is th...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(6) **Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach.**—It has been observed above (see the first Note on the chapter) that Bezaleel’s work was general, Aholiab’s, special. Our version, indeed, styles the latter “an engraver, and a cunning workman, and an embroiderer” (Exodus 38:23), from which it might be supposed that, like Bezaleel, he cultivated various branches of art. In the original, however, nothing is sai...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**4-9. Aaron and his sons thou shalt bring unto the door of the tabernacle--**as occupying the intermediate space between the court where the people stood, and the dwelling-place of Israel's king, and therefore the fittest spot for the priests being duly prepared for entrance, and the people witnessing the ceremony of inauguration.
**wash them with water. And ... take the garments--**The manner ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 31
Chapter Outline
Bezaleel and Aholiab are appointed and qualified for the work of the tabernacle.(1-11)
The observance of the sabbath.(12-17)
Moses receives the tables of the law.(18)
**Verses 1-11**
The Israelites, who had been masons and bricklayers in Egypt, were not qualified for curious workmanship; but the Spirit who gave the apostles utterance in divers tongu...
Read full commentary →The tabernacle of the congregation, and the ark of the testimony, and the mercy seat that is thereupon, and all the furniture of the tabernacle, furniture: Heb. vessels
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
Bezalel and Oholiab are filled with God's Spirit for artistic work—wisdom, understanding, knowledge, craftsmanship. This demonstrates that the Holy Spirit equips not only for preaching/teaching but for creative, technical skills. All talents serve God's purposes when consecrated to Him. The Spirit who designed creation enables artisans to create beauty for worship. Christ, the wisdom of God, is th...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(7-11) The enumeration of the holy objects follows the order of the instructions given concerning them (Exodus 25-30), except that the tabernacle itself is placed first, and the altar of incense mentioned in its natural position, together with the table **of **shewbread and the golden candlestick (Exodus 31:8).
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**4-9. Aaron and his sons thou shalt bring unto the door of the tabernacle--**as occupying the intermediate space between the court where the people stood, and the dwelling-place of Israel's king, and therefore the fittest spot for the priests being duly prepared for entrance, and the people witnessing the ceremony of inauguration.
**wash them with water. And ... take the garments--**The manner ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 31
Chapter Outline
Bezaleel and Aholiab are appointed and qualified for the work of the tabernacle.(1-11)
The observance of the sabbath.(12-17)
Moses receives the tables of the law.(18)
**Verses 1-11**
The Israelites, who had been masons and bricklayers in Egypt, were not qualified for curious workmanship; but the Spirit who gave the apostles utterance in divers tongu...
Read full commentary →And the table and his furniture, and the pure candlestick with all his furniture, and the altar of incense, furniture: Heb. vessels
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
Bezalel and Oholiab are filled with God's Spirit for artistic work—wisdom, understanding, knowledge, craftsmanship. This demonstrates that the Holy Spirit equips not only for preaching/teaching but for creative, technical skills. All talents serve God's purposes when consecrated to Him. The Spirit who designed creation enables artisans to create beauty for worship. Christ, the wisdom of God, is th...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**4-9. Aaron and his sons thou shalt bring unto the door of the tabernacle--**as occupying the intermediate space between the court where the people stood, and the dwelling-place of Israel's king, and therefore the fittest spot for the priests being duly prepared for entrance, and the people witnessing the ceremony of inauguration.
**wash them with water. And ... take the garments--**The manner ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 31
Chapter Outline
Bezaleel and Aholiab are appointed and qualified for the work of the tabernacle.(1-11)
The observance of the sabbath.(12-17)
Moses receives the tables of the law.(18)
**Verses 1-11**
The Israelites, who had been masons and bricklayers in Egypt, were not qualified for curious workmanship; but the Spirit who gave the apostles utterance in divers tongu...
Read full commentary →And the altar of burnt offering with all his furniture, and the laver and his foot, furniture: Heb. vessels
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
Bezalel and Oholiab are filled with God's Spirit for artistic work—wisdom, understanding, knowledge, craftsmanship. This demonstrates that the Holy Spirit equips not only for preaching/teaching but for creative, technical skills. All talents serve God's purposes when consecrated to Him. The Spirit who designed creation enables artisans to create beauty for worship. Christ, the wisdom of God, is th...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**10-22. And thou shalt cause a bullock to be brought before the tabernacle--**This part of the ceremonial consisted of three sacrifices: **(1) The sacrifice of a bullock, as a sin offering; and in rendering it, the priest was directed to put his hand upon the head of his sacrifice, expressing by that act a consciousness of personal guilt, and a wish that it might be accepted as a vicarious satisf...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 31
Chapter Outline
Bezaleel and Aholiab are appointed and qualified for the work of the tabernacle.(1-11)
The observance of the sabbath.(12-17)
Moses receives the tables of the law.(18)
**Verses 1-11**
The Israelites, who had been masons and bricklayers in Egypt, were not qualified for curious workmanship; but the Spirit who gave the apostles utterance in divers tongu...
Read full commentary →And the cloths of service, and the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, to minister in the priest's office,
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
Bezalel and Oholiab are filled with God's Spirit for artistic work—wisdom, understanding, knowledge, craftsmanship. This demonstrates that the Holy Spirit equips not only for preaching/teaching but for creative, technical skills. All talents serve God's purposes when consecrated to Him. The Spirit who designed creation enables artisans to create beauty for worship. Christ, the wisdom of God, is th...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(10) **The cloths of service.**—Modern critics generally suppose the state robes of the high priest to be meant (Keil, Knobel, De Wette, Kalisch, Cook); but the Rabbinical interpreters understand the cloths in which the ark and other vessels of the sanctuary were wrapped when the camp was moved from place to place (see Numbers 4:6-13). These, like the cloths here spoken of (Exodus 39:1), were to b...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**10-22. And thou shalt cause a bullock to be brought before the tabernacle--**This part of the ceremonial consisted of three sacrifices: **(1) The sacrifice of a bullock, as a sin offering; and in rendering it, the priest was directed to put his hand upon the head of his sacrifice, expressing by that act a consciousness of personal guilt, and a wish that it might be accepted as a vicarious satisf...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 31
Chapter Outline
Bezaleel and Aholiab are appointed and qualified for the work of the tabernacle.(1-11)
The observance of the sabbath.(12-17)
Moses receives the tables of the law.(18)
**Verses 1-11**
The Israelites, who had been masons and bricklayers in Egypt, were not qualified for curious workmanship; but the Spirit who gave the apostles utterance in divers tongu...
Read full commentary →And the anointing oil, and sweet incense for the holy place: according to all that I have commanded thee shall they do.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
Bezalel and Oholiab are filled with God's Spirit for artistic work—wisdom, understanding, knowledge, craftsmanship. This demonstrates that the Holy Spirit equips not only for preaching/teaching but for creative, technical skills. All talents serve God's purposes when consecrated to Him. The Spirit who designed creation enables artisans to create beauty for worship. Christ, the wisdom of God, is th...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**10-22. And thou shalt cause a bullock to be brought before the tabernacle--**This part of the ceremonial consisted of three sacrifices: **(1) The sacrifice of a bullock, as a sin offering; and in rendering it, the priest was directed to put his hand upon the head of his sacrifice, expressing by that act a consciousness of personal guilt, and a wish that it might be accepted as a vicarious satisf...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 31
Chapter Outline
Bezaleel and Aholiab are appointed and qualified for the work of the tabernacle.(1-11)
The observance of the sabbath.(12-17)
Moses receives the tables of the law.(18)
**Verses 1-11**
The Israelites, who had been masons and bricklayers in Egypt, were not qualified for curious workmanship; but the Spirit who gave the apostles utterance in divers tongu...
Read full commentary →The Sabbath Command
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
The Sabbath is a sign between God and Israel forever, reminding them that the LORD sanctifies them. Sabbath-keeping testified to creation (God rested on the seventh day) and sanctification (God sets apart His people). Sabbath rest prefigures the spiritual rest believers find in Christ—ceasing from self-effort, trusting His finished work (Hebrews 4:9-10). Violating the Sabbath incurred death, showi...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
THE LAW OF THE SABBATH DECLARED ANEW UNDER A PENAL SANCTION.
(12-17) The worship of the tabernacle was so closely connected with Sabbatical observance (Leviticus 19:30), that no surprise can be felt at a recurrence to the subject in the present place. It was not only that there might be a danger of zealous men breaking the Sabbatical rest in their eagerness to hasten forward the work of constructi...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**10-22. And thou shalt cause a bullock to be brought before the tabernacle--**This part of the ceremonial consisted of three sacrifices: **(1) The sacrifice of a bullock, as a sin offering; and in rendering it, the priest was directed to put his hand upon the head of his sacrifice, expressing by that act a consciousness of personal guilt, and a wish that it might be accepted as a vicarious satisf...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-17**
Orders were now given that a tabernacle should be set up for the service of God. But they must not think that the nature of the work, and the haste that was required, would justify them in working at it on sabbath days. The Hebrew word /shabath/ signifies rest, or ceasing from labour. The thing signified by the sabbath is that rest in glory which remains for the people of God;...
Read full commentary →Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
The Sabbath is a sign between God and Israel forever, reminding them that the LORD sanctifies them. Sabbath-keeping testified to creation (God rested on the seventh day) and sanctification (God sets apart His people). Sabbath rest prefigures the spiritual rest believers find in Christ—ceasing from self-effort, trusting His finished work (Hebrews 4:9-10). Violating the Sabbath incurred death, showi...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(13) **It is a sign between me and you.**—Circumcision had been given as a covenant sign to Abraham and his descendants (Genesis 17:9-13); but its adoption by many of the heathen nations had rendered it no longer a distinguishing mark by which God’s people could be certainly known from others. Thus a new “sign” was needed. The observance of one day in seven as a day of holy rest became henceforth ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**10-22. And thou shalt cause a bullock to be brought before the tabernacle--**This part of the ceremonial consisted of three sacrifices: **(1) The sacrifice of a bullock, as a sin offering; and in rendering it, the priest was directed to put his hand upon the head of his sacrifice, expressing by that act a consciousness of personal guilt, and a wish that it might be accepted as a vicarious satisf...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-17**
Orders were now given that a tabernacle should be set up for the service of God. But they must not think that the nature of the work, and the haste that was required, would justify them in working at it on sabbath days. The Hebrew word /shabath/ signifies rest, or ceasing from labour. The thing signified by the sabbath is that rest in glory which remains for the people of God;...
Read full commentary →Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
The Sabbath is a sign between God and Israel forever, reminding them that the LORD sanctifies them. Sabbath-keeping testified to creation (God rested on the seventh day) and sanctification (God sets apart His people). Sabbath rest prefigures the spiritual rest believers find in Christ—ceasing from self-effort, trusting His finished work (Hebrews 4:9-10). Violating the Sabbath incurred death, showi...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(14) **Every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death.**—This is a new enactment, and must be regarded in conjunction with the new dignity attached to Sabbath observance by its having become the special covenant sign between God and His people. The Sabbath-breaker now threw himself out of covenant with God, and not only so, but did what in him lay to throw the whole people out of covenant...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**10-22. And thou shalt cause a bullock to be brought before the tabernacle--**This part of the ceremonial consisted of three sacrifices: **(1) The sacrifice of a bullock, as a sin offering; and in rendering it, the priest was directed to put his hand upon the head of his sacrifice, expressing by that act a consciousness of personal guilt, and a wish that it might be accepted as a vicarious satisf...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-17**
Orders were now given that a tabernacle should be set up for the service of God. But they must not think that the nature of the work, and the haste that was required, would justify them in working at it on sabbath days. The Hebrew word /shabath/ signifies rest, or ceasing from labour. The thing signified by the sabbath is that rest in glory which remains for the people of God;...
Read full commentary →Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. holy: Heb. holiness
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
The Sabbath is a sign between God and Israel forever, reminding them that the LORD sanctifies them. Sabbath-keeping testified to creation (God rested on the seventh day) and sanctification (God sets apart His people). Sabbath rest prefigures the spiritual rest believers find in Christ—ceasing from self-effort, trusting His finished work (Hebrews 4:9-10). Violating the Sabbath incurred death, showi...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(15) **Six days**.—Comp. Exodus 20:9.
**The sabbath of rest**.—Rather, *a sabbath of rest, *or *a complete rest. *The repetition (*sabbath sabbâthôn*) gives an idea of completeness.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**10-22. And thou shalt cause a bullock to be brought before the tabernacle--**This part of the ceremonial consisted of three sacrifices: **(1) The sacrifice of a bullock, as a sin offering; and in rendering it, the priest was directed to put his hand upon the head of his sacrifice, expressing by that act a consciousness of personal guilt, and a wish that it might be accepted as a vicarious satisf...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-17**
Orders were now given that a tabernacle should be set up for the service of God. But they must not think that the nature of the work, and the haste that was required, would justify them in working at it on sabbath days. The Hebrew word /shabath/ signifies rest, or ceasing from labour. The thing signified by the sabbath is that rest in glory which remains for the people of God;...
Read full commentary →Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
The Sabbath is a sign between God and Israel forever, reminding them that the LORD sanctifies them. Sabbath-keeping testified to creation (God rested on the seventh day) and sanctification (God sets apart His people). Sabbath rest prefigures the spiritual rest believers find in Christ—ceasing from self-effort, trusting His finished work (Hebrews 4:9-10). Violating the Sabbath incurred death, showi...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**10-22. And thou shalt cause a bullock to be brought before the tabernacle--**This part of the ceremonial consisted of three sacrifices: **(1) The sacrifice of a bullock, as a sin offering; and in rendering it, the priest was directed to put his hand upon the head of his sacrifice, expressing by that act a consciousness of personal guilt, and a wish that it might be accepted as a vicarious satisf...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-17**
Orders were now given that a tabernacle should be set up for the service of God. But they must not think that the nature of the work, and the haste that was required, would justify them in working at it on sabbath days. The Hebrew word /shabath/ signifies rest, or ceasing from labour. The thing signified by the sabbath is that rest in glory which remains for the people of God;...
Read full commentary →It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
The Sabbath is a sign between God and Israel forever, reminding them that the LORD sanctifies them. Sabbath-keeping testified to creation (God rested on the seventh day) and sanctification (God sets apart His people). Sabbath rest prefigures the spiritual rest believers find in Christ—ceasing from self-effort, trusting His finished work (Hebrews 4:9-10). Violating the Sabbath incurred death, showi...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(17) **For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth**.—Whatever other grounds there were for Sabbath observance, this idea always lay at its root. Man was through it to be made like unto his Maker—to have from time to time a rest from his labours, as God had had (Genesis 2:2-3)—and thereby to realise the blessedness of that final rest which he may be sure “remaineth for the people of God.”
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**10-22. And thou shalt cause a bullock to be brought before the tabernacle--**This part of the ceremonial consisted of three sacrifices: **(1) The sacrifice of a bullock, as a sin offering; and in rendering it, the priest was directed to put his hand upon the head of his sacrifice, expressing by that act a consciousness of personal guilt, and a wish that it might be accepted as a vicarious satisf...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-17**
Orders were now given that a tabernacle should be set up for the service of God. But they must not think that the nature of the work, and the haste that was required, would justify them in working at it on sabbath days. The Hebrew word /shabath/ signifies rest, or ceasing from labour. The thing signified by the sabbath is that rest in glory which remains for the people of God;...
Read full commentary →The Stone Tablets
And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
God gives Moses two stone tablets 'written with the finger of God'—divine authorship, permanent record. These tablets containing the ten commandments testify to God's covenant, His moral law, His character. Stone suggests permanence; God's law is unchanging. The finger of God indicates direct divine action, as at creation. Christ fulfills this law perfectly, becoming the living Word that the stone...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
THE TWO TABLES GIVEN.
(18) The termination and crown of the entire conference which Moses had held with God on Mount Sinai for forty days and forty nights (Exodus 24:18) was the committal to his hands of the two tables of testimony which had been promised before the ascent into the mount was made (Exodus 24:12), and which were pre-supposed in the entire arrangement of the sanctuary. The Court pre-...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**10-22. And thou shalt cause a bullock to be brought before the tabernacle--**This part of the ceremonial consisted of three sacrifices: **(1) The sacrifice of a bullock, as a sin offering; and in rendering it, the priest was directed to put his hand upon the head of his sacrifice, expressing by that act a consciousness of personal guilt, and a wish that it might be accepted as a vicarious satisf...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verse 18**
The law was written in tables of stone, to show how lasting it is: to denote likewise the hardness of our hearts; one might more easily write on stone, than write any thing good on our corrupt natural hearts. It was written with the finger of God; by his will and power. God only can write his law in the heart: he gives a heart of flesh; then, by his Spirit, which is the finger of ...
Read full commentary →