Exodus 31:5

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Exodus 31:5 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “and in cutting of stones for setting, and in carving of wood, to work in all manner of workmanship.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

and in cutting of stones for setting, and in carving of wood, to work in all manner of workmanship.
Exodus 31:5 — American Standard Version

Context — Exodus 31

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
5and in cutting of stones for setting, and in carving of wood, to work in all manner of workmanship.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And in cutting of stones to set them, etc.] Not of marble stones, or of any common stones used in building, and the cutting and hewing of them to be laid therein, for of those there was no use in the tabernacle; but of precious stones, and the cutting of them, and setting of them in their ouches or enclosures, as the onyx stones on the shoulders of the high priest, and the twelve precious stones in his breastplate: Bezaleel was taught by the Spirit of God the art of jewelling, and instructed others in it: and in carving of timber; or rather, “in cutting timber” f928; for it is the same word as before, for we have no account of any carved work in the tabernacle; and therefore this must design…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Exodus 35:30-35. This solemn call of Bezaleel and Aholiab is full of instruction. Their work was to be only that of handicraftsmen. Still it was Yahweh Himself who called them by name to their tasks, and the powers which they were now called upon to exercise in their respective crafts, were declared to have been given them by the Holy Spirit. Thus is every effort of skill, every sort of well-ordered labor, when directed to a right end, brought into the very highest sphere of association. There appears to be sufficient reason for identifying Hur, the grandfather of Bezaleel, with the Hur who assisted Aaron in supporting the hands of Moses during the battle with Amalek at Rephidim Exodus…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Exo 28:9-21 Exodus 31:6”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification