Exodus 36:2
And Moses called Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whose heart the LORD had put wisdom, even every one whose heart stirred him up to come unto the work to do it:
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּקְרָ֣א
called
H7121
וַיִּקְרָ֣א
called
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
1 of 25
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
8 of 25
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אִ֣ישׁ
man
H376
אִ֣ישׁ
man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
9 of 25
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
לִבּ֔וֹ
even every one whose heart
H3820
לִבּ֔וֹ
even every one whose heart
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
11 of 25
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
12 of 25
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נָתַ֧ן
had put
H5414
נָתַ֧ן
had put
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
13 of 25
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
יְהוָ֛ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֛ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
14 of 25
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לִבּ֔וֹ
even every one whose heart
H3820
לִבּ֔וֹ
even every one whose heart
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
16 of 25
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
כֹּ֚ל
H3605
כֹּ֚ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
17 of 25
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
18 of 25
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נְשָׂא֣וֹ
stirred him up
H5375
נְשָׂא֣וֹ
stirred him up
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
19 of 25
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
לִבּ֔וֹ
even every one whose heart
H3820
לִבּ֔וֹ
even every one whose heart
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
20 of 25
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
לְקָרְבָ֥ה
to come
H7126
לְקָרְבָ֥ה
to come
Strong's:
H7126
Word #:
21 of 25
to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
הַמְּלָאכָ֖ה
unto the work
H4399
הַמְּלָאכָ֖ה
unto the work
Strong's:
H4399
Word #:
23 of 25
properly, deputyship, i.e., ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor)
Cross References
Hebrews 5:4And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.Colossians 4:17And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.Exodus 31:6And 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;Acts 14:23And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.Exodus 28:3And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron's garments to consecrate him, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.Exodus 35:2Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be to you an holy day, a sabbath of rest to the LORD: whosoever doeth work therein shall be put to death.Exodus 25:2Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering.Exodus 35:10And every wise hearted among you shall come, and make all that the LORD hath commanded;1 Chronicles 29:5The gold for things of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and for all manner of work to be made by the hands of artificers. And who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the LORD?
Historical Context
Unlike ancient Near Eastern forced labor systems, Israel's tabernacle construction relied entirely on volunteers whose hearts moved them to work. This willing service demonstrated covenant relationship: God's redeemed people joyfully labor for His glory.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does building God's dwelling require both willing givers (ch. 35) and willing workers (ch. 36)?
- How does the principle of heart-stirred labor challenge contemporary approaches to Christian service and ministry?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Moses calls the workers 'every one whose heart stirred him up' (אֲשֶׁר נְשָׂאוֹ לִבּוֹ, asher nasa'o libbo), repeating the willing-heart theme from chapter 35. This demonstrates that both giving materials (35:21) and giving labor require the same heart motivation—internal compulsion from God's Spirit, not external coercion. The calling to 'come unto the work to do it' emphasizes that good intentions must transition to actual labor; stirred hearts must produce working hands.