The big picture
Exodus 31 opens in verse 1 with “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,”, reaches its middle movement near verse 9 with “And the altar of burnt offering with all his furniture, and the laver and his foot,”, and closes in verse 18 with “And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai…” Repeated or prominent terms include LORD, sabbath, work, furniture, holy. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Exodus · King James Version · 18Exodus 31:1-6
1–6: The LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Exodus 31:1–6 opens with “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,” and reaches “And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan: and in…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Exodus 31 develops its own movement around LORD, sabbath, work, furniture, holy, with particular weight carried by manner, tribe, wisdom.
Context that brings the passage to life
“And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,” Naming Moses keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah:” Naming Bezaleel and Hur keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Exodus 31:1-6
King James Version1And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
2See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah:
3And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,
4To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,
5And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship.
6And 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 31:7-12
7–12: The tabernacle of the congregation, and the ark of the testimony, and…
Exodus 31:7–12 opens with “The tabernacle of the congregation, and the ark of the testimony, and the mercy seat that is…” and reaches “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Exodus 31 develops its own movement around LORD, sabbath, work, furniture, holy, with particular weight carried by furniture, altar, garments.
Context that brings the passage to life
“The tabernacle of the congregation, and the ark of the testimony, and the mercy seat that is thereupon, and all the…” The line’s distinctive content terms include tabernacle, congregation, furniture. Its relationship to verses 8 shows what work it does in this passage.
Exodus 31:7-12
King James Version7The tabernacle of the congregation, and the ark of the testimony, and the mercy seat that is thereupon, and all the furniture of the tabernacle,
8And the table and his furniture, and the pure candlestick with all his furniture, and the altar of incense,
9And the altar of burnt offering with all his furniture, and the laver and his foot,
10And 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,
11And the anointing oil, and sweet incense for the holy place: according to all that I have commanded thee shall they do.
12And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Exodus 31:13-18
13–18: Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths…
Exodus 31:13–18 opens with “Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is…” and reaches “And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Exodus 31 develops its own movement around LORD, sabbath, work, furniture, holy, with particular weight carried by sabbath, children, Israel.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
“Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
Exodus 31:13-18
King James Version13Speak 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.
14Ye 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.
15Six 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.
16Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant.
17It 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.
18And 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.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Exodus 31:1 begins with “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,”
Where the chapter turns
Exodus 31:9 forms a natural hinge: “And the altar of burnt offering with all his furniture, and the laver and his foot,”
The final note
Exodus 31:18 leaves the reader with “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…”
A word trail through the chapter
The words LORD, sabbath, work, furniture, holy, children help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
Why do Rachel and Leah agree to leave?
They see themselves as alienated from their father's household and support the journey God has commanded.
What does the boundary accomplish?
It limits hostile crossing and places their future conduct under divine witness.
KJV words made clear
- behold
- look, or pay close attention
- unto
- to
- thee
- you
- thou
- you
- doth
- does
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.