And behold, I have appointed with him Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. And I have given to all able men ability, that they may make all that I have commanded you:
English Standard Version (ESV)
God doesn't just commission leaders like Bezaleel; He ensures everyone involved, even those with natural artistic talent, is divinely equipped. This highlights that every skill, from the grandest design to the finest detail, is a gift from God meant to build His kingdom. It’s a powerful reminder that God equips all His workers, not just the prominent ones, for the tasks He sets before them.
And behold, I have appointed with him Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. And I have given to all able men ability, that they may make all that I have commanded you:
English Standard Version (ESV)
God is instructing Moses on how to build the Tabernacle, detailing every aspect of its construction and furnishings. This verse comes after God has appointed Bezaleel as the chief craftsman and clarifies that Oholiab will assist him, and that God himself will equip all the skilled workers with the necessary wisdom and ability to carry out the divine plan. This divine empowerment is crucial because the Israelites, recently freed from slavery, were not inherently trained in the complex artistry required for such a sacred structure.
Why did God specifically appoint Aholiab to work alongside Bezaleel? It wasn't just about skill, but divine strategy.
God's work is often a team effort, and He sovereignly chooses His collaborators. Bezaleel, a master craftsman, was appointed, but God also provided Aholiab, son of Ahisamach of the tribe of Dan. This wasn't by chance.
Where does true craftsmanship and artistic skill really come from? This verse points beyond natural talent to a direct divine source.
The text emphasizes that 'in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom.' This isn't just about natural aptitude; it's about God actively imparting the specific wisdom needed for His purposes.
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Understand the original words
nathan · Hebrew Verb
To set apart, designate, or choose for a specific purpose or office. In a biblical context, it often refers to God’s sovereign selection of individuals for His work.
leb chakam · Hebrew Noun phrase
Refers to the internal skill, wisdom, or craftsmanship endowed by God to individuals, particularly for the construction and administration of His tabernacle and work.
This passage introduces the concept of 'wise-hearted' individuals being divinely equipped for sacred service, a theme directly echoed in Exodus 31:6 where God states He has 'put wisdom' in those skilled for the Tabernacle's construction.
1 Corinthians 12:4-11Just as God distributed specific spiritual gifts for the functioning of the early church, Exodus 31:6 shows God directly imparting practical skills and wisdom to individuals for a specific, divinely appointed task.
Proverbs 8:12The wisdom mentioned in Exodus 31:6, enabling skilled craftsmanship for God's dwelling, is a reflection of the broader principle found in Proverbs where Wisdom herself is depicted as discovering knowledge and skillful insight.
2 Chronicles 2:14The mention of Aholiab from the tribe of Dan, a seemingly less prominent tribe, parallels the selection of skilled craftsmen from various backgrounds for the Temple, highlighting God's use of diverse talents for His purposes.
Isaiah 45:4The idea of God calling individuals by name for specific purposes, as seen with Bezaleel and Aholiab, finds a parallel in Isaiah where God designates Cyrus for a great task, emphasizing divine sovereignty in selecting His instruments.
clarkeExodus 31:6: "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;"
In the hearts of all that are wisehearted I have put wisdom - So every man that had a natural genius, as we term it, had an increase of wisdom by immediate inspiration from God, so that he knew how to execute the different works which Divine wisdom designed for the tabernacle a…
calvinExodus 31:1-11: "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,"
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;
Et ego ecce constitui cum eo Aholiab filium Ahisamach e tribu Dan, et in corde omnis sapientis corde, dedi sapientiam, ut faciant quaecunque praecepi tibi:
The tabernacle of the congregation, and the ark of the testimony, and…
God doesn't just commission leaders like Bezaleel; He ensures everyone involved, even those with natural artistic talent, is divinely equipped. This highlights that every skill, from the grandest design to the finest detail, is a gift from God meant to build His kingdom. It’s a powerful reminder that God equips all His workers, not just the prominent ones, for the tasks He sets before them.
God is instructing Moses on how to build the Tabernacle, detailing every aspect of its construction and furnishings. This verse comes after God has appointed Bezaleel as the chief craftsman and clarifies that Oholiab will assist him, and that God himself will equip all the skilled workers with the necessary wisdom and ability to carry out the divine plan. This divine empowerment is crucial because the Israelites, recently freed from slavery, were not inherently trained in the complex artistry required for such a sacred structure.
God is instructing Moses on how to build the Tabernacle, detailing every aspect of its construction and furnishings. This verse comes after God has appointed Bezaleel as the chief craftsman and clarifies that Oholiab will assist him, and that God himself will equip all the skilled workers with the necessary wisdom and ability to carry out the divine plan. This divine empowerment is crucial because the Israelites, recently freed from slavery, were not inherently trained in the complex artistry required for such a sacred structure.
"And behold, I have appointed with him Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. And I have given to all able men ability, that they may make all that I have commanded you:" — God doesn't just commission leaders like Bezaleel; He ensures everyone involved, even those with natural artistic talent, is divinely equipped. This highlights that every skill, from the grandest des…
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Last reviewed October 2026