Exodus 36:2 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And Moses called Bezalel and Oholiab and every craftsman in whose mind the Lord had put skill, everyone whose heart stirred him up to come to do the work.

NIV: Then Moses summoned Bezalel and Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the Lord had given ability and who was willing to come and do the work.

NASB: Then Moses called Bezalel, Oholiab, and every skillful person in whom the Lord had put skill, everyone whose heart stirred him, to come to the work to perform it.

CSB: So Moses summoned Bezalel, Oholiab, and every skilled person in whose heart the Lord had placed wisdom, all whose hearts moved them, to come to the work and do it.

NLT: So Moses summoned Bezalel and Oholiab and all the others who were specially gifted by the Lord and were eager to get to work.

KJV: And Moses called Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whose heart the Lord had put wisdom, even every one whose heart stirred him up to come unto the work to do it:

NKJV: Then Moses called Bezalel and Aholiab, and every gifted artisan in whose heart the Lord had put wisdom, everyone whose heart was stirred, to come and do the work.

Exodus 36:2–7 describes the Israelites' willingness to work under Oholiab and Bezalel (Exodus 35:30, 34). These are the men assigned to supervise construction of the tabernacle (Exodus 25:8–9). The people's enthusiasm creates a flood of donations. Moses eventually asks them to stop contributing because the project already has more than enough material.

Israel responds to the call for donations with enthusiasm. The people are so eager to donate that Moses must command the people to stop giving. Working under Bezalel, skilled workers begin following God's instructions for crafting the tabernacle (Exodus 25—31). Most of these descriptions repeat the exact wording from God's command, rephrased as what Israel actually did.

After renewing the covenant (Exodus 34), Moses is passing along the Lord's commands regarding the tabernacle (Exodus 25:8–9). This began with a call for materials and recently included the appointment of Bezalel and Oholiab to supervise the project (Exodus 35). This and following chapters (Exodus 37—39) record Israel following those original instructions very closely. The text is virtually identical to the written designs recorded earlier (Exodus 25—31).

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.