Exodus 36:2 (KJV)

What does Exodus 36:2 mean?

Exodus 36:2 describes how Moses summoned Bezaleel, Aholiab, and all the skilled men whose hearts were stirred by God with wisdom to come and work on building the tabernacle. The verse highlights that those who participated were not only talented but also motivated inwardly by God to take part in this sacred work.

In this verse, Moses is acting as the leader of the Israelites, calling together the craftsmen for the construction of the tabernacle, which was the portable sanctuary for worship during their journey in the wilderness. The people chosen were described as "wise hearted," meaning they had both skill and a special God-given motivation. The passage emphasizes that their ability and willingness came from God stirring their hearts, not just from natural talent.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 36:2

• "Wise" (חָכָם, ḥākām) and "wisdom" (חָכְמָה, ḥokhmāh) both point to skill and practical know-how, not just intelligence. In this context, it means the craftsmen were gifted with the ability to do the work well.
• "Heart" (לֵב, lēv) and "hearted" (לֵב, lēv) are used repeatedly, showing that the motivation and willingness came from deep within the person, not just from obligation.
• "Stirred up" (נָשָׂא, nāśā’) carries the sense of being lifted or moved, suggesting an inner prompting or enthusiasm that led the men to volunteer for the work.

Why Exodus 36:2 matters

• This verse clarifies that the work on the tabernacle was not done by just anyone, but by those who were both skilled and inwardly motivated by God, which sets a standard for sacred work.
• The emphasis on God putting wisdom and stirring hearts shows that spiritual work involves both divine gifting and personal willingness, not just technical ability.
• In the larger context, Exodus 36:2 connects to the theme of willing, generous participation in building the tabernacle, which is a recurring idea in these chapters.