Exodus 31:6

My Notes

What Does Exodus 31:6 Mean?

"And 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." God names his second chosen artisan — Aholiab — and then makes a sweeping declaration: in every wise-hearted person, I have put wisdom. The artistic skill for building the tabernacle is divinely implanted. The craftsmen don't just happen to be talented. God PUT wisdom in their hearts. The gifting for sacred art is as supernatural as the gift of prophecy.

The phrase "in the hearts of all that are wise hearted" means the talent pool for tabernacle construction is Spirit-created. Every skilled worker who contributes is operating on God-given ability. The art is the gift. The craft is the calling.

Reflection Questions

• 1.What artistic or creative skill has God 'put in your heart' that you might be treating as secular rather than sacred?
• 2.How does God naming artisans (not just prophets and priests) as called and gifted change your view of creative work in God's service?
• 3.Where does the theology of sacred art (skill as divine gift) need to be recognized in your community?
• 4.What would treating your creative ability as Spirit-placed wisdom (not just natural talent) change about how you use it?

Devotional

I have put wisdom in their hearts. God takes credit for the artisans' skill. The craftsmen building the tabernacle aren't self-made artists. They're divinely gifted workers — their talent is as much a gift from God as Moses' prophetic calling.

I have given with him Aholiab. God names his second craftsman — a man from Dan, partnered with Bezalel from Judah. The tabernacle's construction requires two specifically named, divinely called artisans. Not one genius. Two named partners from different tribes. The collaborative nature of the calling is built in from the beginning.

In the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom. The wisdom (chokmah — skill, expertise, artistic ability) is God's placement. Nathatti — I have given, I have put, I have placed. The artisans didn't develop their skill independently. God deposited it. The talent that enables the sacred construction is as supernatural as the fire that will later descend on the altar. The craftsman's hand is as Spirit-empowered as the prophet's mouth.

That they may make all that I have commanded thee. The purpose: build what God designed. The wisdom God places in the artisans' hearts serves the vision God gave on the mountain. The skill exists to execute the plan. The ability exists to fulfill the blueprint. The artisan's freedom operates within the architect's specifications.

The theology of sacred art: artistic skill is a divine gift. The capacity to make beautiful things for God's dwelling is as much a calling as preaching or teaching. The person who carves, weaves, sculpts, or builds for God's house is operating on the same Spirit-empowerment as the person who prophesies or heals. The talent pool for sacred art is Spirit-created — which means the artist in God's service isn't a secondary worker. They're a primary calling.

Every wise-hearted person. Not just Bezalel and Aholiab. Every skilled craftsman. God distributes the artistic calling across the entire community — to everyone whose heart has received the wisdom. The tabernacle isn't built by two named artists and a bunch of unskilled volunteers. It's built by a community of Spirit-gifted craftsmen, each one carrying divinely placed wisdom for the work.

If you have artistic skill — any form of creative ability — this verse says: God put it there. The skill is the calling. And the calling is as sacred as any other gift the Spirit distributes.

Commentary

Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.

Cross References

Related passages throughout Scripture