Exodus 31 · Adam Clarke
Introduction Bezaleel appointed for the work of the tabernacle, Exo 31:1-5 . Aholiab appointed for the same, Exo 31:6 . The particular things on which they were to be employed, the ark and mercy-seat, Exo 31:7 . Table, candlestick, and altar of incense, Exo 31:8 . Altar of burnt-offering and the laver, Exo 31:9 . Priest's garments, Exo 31:10 . Anointing oil and sweet incense, Exo 31:11 . God renews the command relative to the sanctification of the Sabbath, Exo 31:12-17 . Delivers to Moses the two tables of stone, Exo 31:18 .
Verse 2 I have called by name Bezaleel - That is, I have particularly appointed this person to be the chief superintendent of the whole work. His name is significant, בצלאל betsal-el, in or under the shadow of God, meaning, under the especial protection of the Most High. He was the son of Uri, the son of Hur, the son of Caleb or Chelubai, the son of Esron, the son of Pharez, the son of Judah. See 1Chr 2:5 , 1Chr 2:9 , 1Chr 2:18 , 1Chr 2:19 , 1Chr 2:20 , and see Clarke's note on Exo 17:10 .
Verse 3 I have filled him with the spirit of God - See Clarke's note on Exo 28:3 . In wisdom - חכמה, chochmah, from חכם chacham, to be wise, skillful, or prudent, denoting the compass of mind and strength of capacity necessary to form a wise man: hence our word wisdom, the power of judging what is wise or best to be done; from the Saxon, to teach, to advise, and to judge; hence the doom or judgment of the well taught, wise, or prudent man. Understanding - תבונה tebunah, from בן ban or bun, to separate, distinguish, discern; capacity to comprehend the different parts of a work, how to connect, arrange, etc., in order to make a complete whole. Knowledge - דעת daath, denoting particular acquaintance with a person or thing; practical, experimental knowledge.
Verse 4 Cunning works - מחשבת machashaboth, works of invention or genius, in the goldsmith and silversmith line.
Verse 5 In cutting of stones, etc. - Every thing that concerned the lapidary's, jeweler's, and carver's art.
Verse 6 In the hearts of all that are wisehearted I have put wisdom - So every man that had a natural genius, as we term it, had an increase of wisdom by immediate inspiration from God, so that he knew how to execute the different works which Divine wisdom designed for the tabernacle and its furniture. Dark as were the heathens, yet they acknowledged that all talents, and the seeds of all arts, came from God. Hence Seneca: Insita nobis omnium artium semina, magisterque ex occulto Deus producit ingenia. In the same way Homer attributes such curious arts to Minerva, the goddess of wisdom, and Vulcan, the god of handicrafts. Ὡς δ' ὁτε τις χρυσον περιχευεται αργυρῳ ανηρ Ιδρις, ὁν Ἡφαιστος δεδαεν και Παλλας Αθηνη Τεχνην παντοιην, χαριεντα δε εργα τελειει. Odyss., 1. vi., ver. 232. As by some artist, to whom Vulcan gives His skill divine, a breathing statue lives; By Pallas taught, he frames the wondrous mould, And o'er the silver pours the fusile gold. - Pope. And all this the wisest of men long before them declared; when speaking of the wisdom of God he says, I, Wisdom, dwell with Prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions; Pro 8:12 . See Clarke's note on Exo 28:3 , to which the reader is particularly desired to refer. There is something remarkable in the name of this second superintendent, אהליאב Aholiab, the tabernacle of the father, or, the father is my tabernacle; a name nearly similar in its meaning to that of Bezaleel, see Clarke's note on Exo 31:2 .
Verse 8 The pure candlestick - Called so either because of the pure gold of which it was made, or the brightness and splendor of its workmanship, or of the light which it imparted in the tabernacle, as the purest, finest oil was always burnt in it.
Verse 9 The altar of burnt-offering - See Clarke's note on Exo 27:1 . The laver and his foot - The pedestal on which it stood.
Verse 10 Clothes of service - Vestments for the ordinary work of their ministry; the holy garments - those which were peculiar to the high priest.
Verse 11 The anointing oil - See Clarke's note on Exo 30:23 . Sweet incense - See on Exo 30:24 (note).
Verse 13 My Sabbaths ye shall keep - See Clarke's note on Gen 2:3 . See Clarke's note on Exo 20:8 .
Verse 14 Every one that defileth it - By any kind of idolatrous or profane worship. Shall surely be put to death - The magistrates shall examine into the business, and if the accused be found guilty, he shall be stoned to death. Shall be cut off - Because that person who could so far contemn the Sabbath, which was a sign to them of the rest which remained for the people of God, was of course an infidel, and should be cut off from all the privileges and expectations of an Israelite.
Verse 16 A perpetual covenant - Because it is a sign of this future rest and blessedness, therefore the religious observance of it must be perpetually kept up. The type must continue in force till the antitype come.
Verse 17 Rested, and was refreshed - God, in condescension to human weakness, applies to himself here what belongs to man. If a man religiously rests on the Sabbath, both his body and soul shall be refreshed; he shall acquire new light and life.