Exodus 35:31
And he hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship;
Original Language Analysis
וַיְמַלֵּ֥א
And he hath filled
H4390
וַיְמַלֵּ֥א
And he hath filled
Strong's:
H4390
Word #:
1 of 9
to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)
אֹת֖וֹ
H853
אֹת֖וֹ
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 9
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
ר֣וּחַ
him with the spirit
H7307
ר֣וּחַ
him with the spirit
Strong's:
H7307
Word #:
3 of 9
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
אֱלֹהִ֑ים
of God
H430
אֱלֹהִ֑ים
of God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
4 of 9
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
בִּתְבוּנָ֥ה
in understanding
H8394
בִּתְבוּנָ֥ה
in understanding
Strong's:
H8394
Word #:
6 of 9
intelligence; by implication, an argument; by extension, caprice
Cross References
James 1:17Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.2 Chronicles 2:14The son of a woman of the daughters of Dan, and his father was a man of Tyre, skilful to work in gold, and in silver, in brass, in iron, in stone, and in timber, in purple, in blue, and in fine linen, and in crimson; also to grave any manner of graving, and to find out every device which shall be put to him, with thy cunning men, and with the cunning men of my lord David thy father.
Historical Context
The anointing oil's recipe (30:23-25) required myrrh, cinnamon, calamus, cassia, and olive oil—expensive imports demonstrating international trade even in wilderness settings. Incense ingredients (30:34-35) included stacte, onycha, galbanum, and frankincense—equally costly, requiring skilled compounding.
Questions for Reflection
- How do spices and oil for anointing and incense symbolize different aspects of worship (consecration, prayer, illumination)?
- What does the requirement for specific, costly fragrances teach about approaching God according to His prescribed pattern?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Spices (הַבְּשָׂמִים, ha-besamim) for anointing oil and incense represent the fragrant ascending worship and consecration of priests and furnishings. The oil (שֶׁמֶן, shemen) for light maintained the menorah's continual flame—symbolic of the Spirit's illumination. These aromatic and luminous materials demonstrate that worship engages the senses (sight, smell) while pointing beyond physical perception to spiritual realities. The gifts enable both setting apart (anointing) and sustained presence (light, incense).