Exodus 35:33

Exodus 35:33

And in the cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of wood, to make any manner of cunning work.

a. NLT: He is skilled in engraving and mounting gemstones and in carving wood. He is a master at every craft. [Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.]

b. NIV: to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic crafts. [THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.]

c. YLT: and in graving of stones for settings, and in graving of wood to work in any work of design. [The Young's Literal Translation was translated by Robert Young, who believed in a strictly literal translation of God's word. This version of the Bible is in the public domain.]

d. Amplified Bible Classic: In cutting of stones for setting, and in carving of wood, for work in every skilled craft. [Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]

e. Septuagint: and to work in stone, and to fashion the wood, and to work in every work of wisdom.

f. Stone Edition Torah/Prophets/Writings: Stone-cutting for setting, and wood-carving—to perform every craft of design. [The Artscroll Series/Stone Edition, THE TANACH--STUDENT SIZE EDITION Copyright 1996, 1998 by Mesorah Publications, Ldt.]

1. “And in the cutting of stones, to set them…”

a. in cutting [Strong: 2799 * charosheth khar-o'-sheth from 2790; mechanical work:--carving, cutting.]

b. of stones [Strong: 68 *  'eben eh'-ben from the root of 1129 through the meaning to build; a stone:--+ carbuncle, + mason, + plummet, (chalk-, hail-, head-, sling-)stone(-ny), (divers) weight(-s).]

c. to set them [Strong: 4390 * male' maw-lay' or malae (Esth. 7:5) {maw-law'}; a primitive root, to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively):--accomplish, confirm, + consecrate, be at an end, be expired, be fenced, fill, fulfil, (be, become, X draw, give in, go) full(-ly, -ly set, tale), (over-)flow, fulness, furnish, gather (selves, together), presume, replenish, satisfy, set, space, take a (hand-)full, + have wholly.]

2. “…and in carving of wood, to make any manner of cunning work.”

a. and in carving [Strong: 2799 * charosheth khar-o'-sheth from 2790; mechanical work:--carving, cutting.]

b. of wood [Strong: 6086 * `ets ates from 6095; a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks):--+ carpenter, gallows, helve, + pine, plank, staff, stalk, stick, stock, timber, tree, wood.]

c. to make [Strong: 6213 * `asah aw-saw' a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application (as follows):--accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, X certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, + displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, + feast, (fight-)ing man, + finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, + hinder, hold ((a feast)), X indeed, + be industrious, + journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, + officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, X sacrifice, serve, set, shew, X sin, spend, X surely, take, X thoroughly, trim, X very, + vex, be (warr-)ior, work(-man), yield, use.]

d. any [Strong: 3605 * kol kole or (Jer. 33:8) kowl {kole}; from 3634; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense):--(in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-)thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever).]

e. manner of cunning [Strong: 4284 * machashabah makh-ash-aw-baw' or machashebeth {makh-ash-eh'-beth}; from 2803; a contrivance, i.e. (concretely) a texture, machine, or (abstractly) intention, plan (whether bad, a plot; or good, advice):--cunning (work), curious work, device(-sed), imagination, invented, means, purpose, thought.]

f. work [Strong: 4399 * mla'kah mel-aw-kaw' from the same as 4397; properly, deputyship, i.e. ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor):--business, + cattle, + industrious, occupation, (+ -pied), + officer, thing (made), use, (manner of) work((-man), -manship).]

1). J. Vernon McGee: Bezaleel is the man God-equipped to make the articles of furniture that are so important in the tabernacle. God gave Bezaleel the ability to pass on his gift to others. The Tabernacle was a beautiful object. It was a jewel in the desert. It was not large, not a great warehouse, only a small building. It has been estimated that about 5 million dollars went into the construction of the tabernacle according to the value of the metals of a few years ago. The value in inflationary times would be even greater. The tabernacle was God’s precious jewel; a picture of His Son Jesus Christ.

2). All of the children of Israel had been slaves under Egyptian dominance and built treasure cities for Pharoah. Most of the Israelites were already craftsmen, males and females,  thoroughly able to accomplish the tasks. Add to that the wisdom of God and you have, after it was finished, a Tabernacle fit for the one true God.   

a). Exodus 1:11 Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses.

b). Most of the children of Israel were were craftsmen of one sort or another and it was these who went to work on the Tabernacle and everything that supported it.