Exodus 35:35 Meaning and Explanation
“Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart, to work all manner of work, of the engraver, and of the cunning workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, and in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, even of them that do any work, and of those that devise cunning work.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Bezaleel and Aholiab are filled with wisdom to direct all crafts: engraving, embroidery, weaving, and all artistic work.
The Context of Exodus 35:35
Bezaleel and Aholiab, filled with wisdom, direct all the tabernacle's crafts and artwork.
What Does Exodus 35:35 Mean?
The final verse catalogues the range of work: engraving (creating detailed images and patterns in metal), skilled work across materials (general craftsmanship), embroidery (stitching decorative patterns into fabric in blue, purple, scarlet, and linen), weaving (creating fabric from thread), and designing 'cunning work' (artistic planning). The comprehensive list emphasizes that no craft fell outside their purview. They could oversee engravers working on the altar, embroiderers creating the high priest's garments, weavers producing the hangings and veils, and designers solving novel problems.
Wisdom of heart—the same term used for Israel's volunteers—marks leadership as not merely technical but moral and relational. Bezaleel and Aholiab would lead with vision and integrity, earning the respect and cooperation of many workers. The text's parallel language (filled with wisdom, as the volunteers were stirred in heart) shows that leadership and labor are equally honored. The tabernacle emerged from the combination of God's vision, the leaders' wisdom, the skilled workers' dedication, and the community's willing sacrifice. All played equal roles in creating a dwelling place for the Divine.
Exodus 35:35 in the Original Language
charoshah (חֲרֻשָׁה), 'work' or 'craft' — can refer to skilled work, craftsmanship, or metalwork; here the term encompasses all specialized trades and artistic disciplines.
Frequently Asked Questions About Exodus 35:35
What does Exodus 35:35 mean?
Bezaleel and Aholiab are filled with wisdom to direct all crafts: engraving, embroidery, weaving, and all artistic work.
What is the context of Exodus 35:35?
Bezaleel and Aholiab, filled with wisdom, direct all the tabernacle's crafts and artwork.