Bible Glide

Exodus 31

Exodus 31 Summary, Context, and Full Chapter

Exodus 31 highlights God's choice of workers for the tabernacle, His command to keep the Sabbath, and the gift of the stone tablets to Moses. The chapter joins worship, work, and covenant life under God's care and authority.

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What happens in Exodus 31?

God names Bezalel and Oholiab and fills them with skill, wisdom, and craftsmanship for the tabernacle and its furnishings. Their work, along with that of other artisans, is to match everything God has commanded Moses. The chapter then turns to the Sabbath, which is given as a lasting sign between God and Israel and a holy day of rest. The chapter closes with Moses receiving the two stone tablets on Mount Sinai, written by God's own hand.

Exodus 31 comes after the instructions for the tabernacle and priesthood in Exodus 25-30. It ties the holy objects and priestly garments to the people who will make them, then places Sabbath observance at the center of Israel's covenant identity. The chapter also leads into the golden calf episode in the next chapter.

Themes to notice

  • Spirit-given skillGod equips Bezalel, Oholiab, and the craftsmen with ability for careful, faithful work.
  • Holy SabbathThe seventh day is set apart as a sign of God's covenant and a pattern of rest.
  • Covenant tabletsMoses receives the stone tablets as a direct record of God's covenant words.

Questions for Exodus 31

  • What does this chapter teach about how God values skilled work in worship?
  • Why is the Sabbath described as a sign between God and Israel?
  • How does the gift of the stone tablets prepare for the events that follow in Exodus?

Read the full text of Exodus 31 below, then open it in the reader to highlight, take notes, or ask follow-up Bible questions. No account is required to read.

Exodus 31

Bezalel and Oholiab

1Then the LORD said to Moses,2“See, I have called by name Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah.3And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability, and knowledge in all kinds of craftsmanship,4to design artistic works in gold, silver, and bronze,5to cut gemstones for settings, and to carve wood, so that he may be a master of every craft.6Moreover, I have selected Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, as his assistant. I have also given skill to all the craftsmen, that they may fashion all that I have commanded you:7the Tent of Meeting, the ark of the Testimony and the mercy seat upon it, and all the other furnishings of the tent—8the table with its utensils, the pure gold lampstand with all its utensils, the altar of incense,9the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils, and the basin with its stand—10as well as the woven garments, both the holy garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons to serve as priests,11in addition to the anointing oil and fragrant incense for the Holy Place. They are to make them according to all that I have commanded you.”

The Sign of the Sabbath

12And the LORD said to Moses,13“Tell the Israelites, ‘Surely you must keep My Sabbaths, for this will be a sign between Me and you for the generations to come, so that you may know that I am the LORD who sanctifies you.14Keep the Sabbath, for it is holy to you. Anyone who profanes it must surely be put to death. Whoever does any work on that day must be cut off from among his people.15For six days work may be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of complete rest, holy to the LORD. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day must surely be put to death.16The Israelites must keep the Sabbath, celebrating it as a permanent covenant for the generations to come.17It is a sign between Me and the Israelites forever; for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, but on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.’”

Moses Receives the Tablets

18When the LORD had finished speaking with Moses on Mount Sinai, He gave him the two tablets of the Testimony, tablets of stone inscribed by the finger of God.

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