Exodus 31 Bible Study

What You'll Learn

• Why God specifically chose Bezaleel and Aholiab to build the Tabernacle
• How craftsmanship, skill, and ordinary work can become acts of worship
• Why the Sabbath was a covenant sign between God and Israel
• What the stone tablets written by the finger of God reveal about His authority

God equips the people He calls. Exodus 31 reveals that the Lord not only gives commands for His dwelling place, but also provides the people, wisdom, and skill needed to accomplish His work while reminding Israel that worship includes both faithful service and holy rest.

Bible Translation Note: All Scripture on this page is quoted from the King James Version (KJV) and presented in full without alteration.

Exodus 31:1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

Exodus 31:2 See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah:

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,

Exodus 31:4 To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,

Exodus 31:5 And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship.

Exodus 31:6 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;

Exodus 31:7 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,

Exodus 31:8 And the table and his furniture, and the pure candlestick with all his furniture, and the altar of incense,

Exodus 31:9 And the altar of burnt offering with all his furniture, and the laver and his foot,

Exodus 31:10 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,

Exodus 31:11 And the anointing oil, and sweet incense for the holy place: according to all that I have commanded thee shall they do.

Exodus 31:12 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

Exodus 31:13 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.

Exodus 31:14 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.

Exodus 31:15 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.

Exodus 31:16 Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant.

Exodus 31:17 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.

Exodus 31:18 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.

Exodus 31:1

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

Study: God continues speaking to Moses after giving detailed instructions for the Tabernacle. The work of building God’s dwelling place begins with God’s Word, reminding us that worship must be shaped by revelation rather than human creativity alone.

Exodus 31:2

See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah:

Study: God calls Bezaleel by name for the work of building the Tabernacle. This detail matters because the craftsmanship is not random labor; it is a divine calling with a specific person chosen for a specific purpose.

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,

Study: Bezaleel’s skill is described as the result of being filled with the Spirit of God. This shows that spiritual empowerment is not limited to preaching or leadership; God can fill a craftsman with wisdom, understanding, and knowledge for holy work.

Exodus 31:4

To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,

Study: God equips Bezaleel not only to follow instructions but also to design skilled work with beauty and excellence. The materials of gold, silver, and brass show that the Tabernacle was to reflect the worthiness of the God who would dwell among His people.

Exodus 31:5

And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship.

Study: The calling includes detailed work with stone and wood, not only precious metals. God values every part of the Tabernacle’s construction, showing that even hidden or practical craftsmanship can become worship when done for Him.

Exodus 31:6

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;

Study: God gives Aholiab to work alongside Bezaleel and places wisdom in others as well. The Tabernacle is not built by one gifted person alone; God provides a team and equips many hearts to accomplish what He commanded.

Exodus 31:7

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,

Study: The first items named are central to God’s presence among Israel: the Tabernacle, the ark, and the mercy seat. These were not ordinary objects; they formed the sacred place where God would meet with His people according to His covenant.

Exodus 31:8

And the table and his furniture, and the pure candlestick with all his furniture, and the altar of incense,

Study: The table, candlestick, and altar of incense each served the worship life of Israel. God’s detailed listing reminds the reader that worship is ordered by His design, with every item serving a purpose in approaching Him.

Exodus 31:9

And the altar of burnt offering with all his furniture, and the laver and his foot,

Study: The altar and laver point to sacrifice and cleansing, both necessary for Israel’s worship. Their inclusion shows that access to God requires atonement and purity, not merely beautiful surroundings.

Exodus 31:10

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,

Study: The priestly garments are part of the holy work because the priests represented the people before God. Even the clothing used in ministry mattered, showing that service before the Lord was to be marked by holiness, order, and reverence.

Exodus 31:11

And the anointing oil, and sweet incense for the holy place: according to all that I have commanded thee shall they do.

Study: The list concludes with the anointing oil and incense, then emphasizes obedience to all God commanded. The builders were gifted creatively, but their creativity had to remain submitted to God’s instructions.

Exodus 31:12

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

Study: A new word from the Lord now turns from craftsmanship to Sabbath obedience. This shift matters because God places rest alongside work, showing that building sacred things must never replace obeying His covenant commands.

Exodus 31:13

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.

Study: The Sabbath is given as a sign between the Lord and Israel throughout their generations. It reminds them that their holiness does not come from their labor, but from the Lord who sanctifies them.

Exodus 31:14

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.

Study: The seriousness of Sabbath violation shows that this command was not a minor ritual detail under the Sinai covenant. To defile the Sabbath was to reject the sign of belonging to the Lord who set Israel apart.

Exodus 31:15

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.

Study: God allows six days for work but sets the seventh day apart as holy rest. Even the important work of building the Tabernacle must submit to God’s rhythm, teaching Israel that obedience is greater than productivity.

Exodus 31:16

Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant.

Study: The Sabbath is established as an ongoing covenant practice for Israel. It becomes a repeated witness that they belong to the Lord and live under His authority, not under endless labor like they had known in Egypt.

Exodus 31:17

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.

Study: The Sabbath points back to creation itself, where the Lord made heaven and earth in six days and rested on the seventh. Israel’s weekly rest was rooted in God’s own pattern, reminding them that their worship was tied to the Creator’s order.

Exodus 31:18

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.

Study: The chapter ends with God giving Moses the two stone tablets written by His own finger. This final image emphasizes the authority of the covenant and prepares the reader for the tragedy of Israel’s rebellion in the next chapter.

Exodus 31 marks the conclusion of God’s instructions for building the Tabernacle. The Lord appoints Bezaleel and Aholiab, filling them and other skilled workers with wisdom to create the furnishings, garments, oil, and incense exactly as commanded. The chapter then turns to the Sabbath, reminding Israel that even sacred work must submit to God’s covenant rhythm of holy rest. It closes with Moses receiving the two stone tablets of testimony, written by the finger of God, setting the stage for the dramatic events of Exodus 32.

Father, thank You for giving Your people gifts, wisdom, and abilities to serve Your purposes. Help me use what You have placed in my hands with excellence, humility, and obedience. Teach me to honor You not only through faithful work, but also through trusting Your design for rest. May my life reflect Your holiness, Your authority, and Your presence. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

• Read Exodus 31 again and note how God connects calling, skill, obedience, and rest
• Memorize or meditate on Exodus 31:3 or Exodus 31:13
• List the gifts, skills, or experience God has entrusted to you
• Pray about one specific way to use your abilities for God’s glory this week
• Evaluate whether your current rhythm of work and rest reflects trust in the Lord
• Encourage someone whose practical skills are being used to serve others
• Thank God for both the work He gives you and the rest He provides

Exodus 31 teaches that God not only gives His people a mission, but also provides the wisdom, skill, and people needed to accomplish it. Through Bezaleel, Aholiab, and the wise-hearted workers, the chapter shows that craftsmanship can become worship when it is dedicated to the Lord and submitted to His commands. The Sabbath section reminds Israel that they are sanctified by God, not by endless labor, and the chapter closes with the stone tablets written by God’s own finger, emphasizing the authority and holiness of His covenant.

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