Exodus – Chapter 31

Old Testament • 18 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 31 of Exodus begins: "And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:" The chapter centers on Moses and Aaron. Across its 18 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and holiness. Read slowly, this chapter rewards the kind of prayerful attention the Church calls lectio divina.

1And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:

2Behold, I have called by name Beseleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Juda,

3And I have filled him with the spirit of God, with wisdom and understanding, and knowledge in all manner of work,

4To devise whatsoever may be artificially made of gold, and silver, and brass,

5Of marble, and precious stones, and variety of wood.

6And I have given him for his companion Ooliab, the son of Achisamech, of the tribe of Dan. And I have put wisdom in the heart of every skilful man, that they may make all things which I have commanded thee,

7The tabernacle of the covenant, and the ark of the testimony, and the propitiatory, that is over it, and all the vessels of the tabernacle,

8And the table and the vessels thereof, the most pure candlestick with the vessels thereof, and the altars of incense,

9And of holocaust, and all their vessels, the laver with its foot,

10The holy vestments in the ministry for Aaron the priest, and for his sons, that they may execute their office, about the sacred things:

11The oil of unction, and the incense of spices in the sanctuary, all things which I have commanded thee, shall they make.

12And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:

13Speak to the children of Israel, and thou shalt say to them: See that you keep my sabbath; because it is a sign between me and you in your generations that you may know that I am the Lord, who sanctify you.

14keep you my sabbath: for it is holy unto you: he that shall profane it, shall be put to death: he that shall do any work in it, his soul shall perish out of the midst of his people.

15Six days shall you do work: in the seventh day is the sabbath, the rest holy to the Lord. Every one that shall do any work on this day, shall die.

16Let the children of Israel keep the sabbath, and celebrate it in their generations. It is an everlasting covenant

17Between me and the children of Israel, and a perpetual sign. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and in the seventh he ceased from work.

18And the Lord, when he had ended these words in Mount Sinai, gave to Moses two stone tables of testimony, written with the finger of God.

Important Verses in Exodus 31

“And I have filled him with the spirit of God, with wisdom and understanding, and knowledge in all manner of work,”

Exodus 31:3

“And I have given him for his companion Ooliab, the son of Achisamech, of the tribe of Dan. And I have put wisdom in the heart of every skilful man, that they may make all things which I have commanded thee,”

Exodus 31:6

“Speak to the children of Israel, and thou shalt say to them: See that you keep my sabbath; because it is a sign between me and you in your generations that you may know that I am the Lord, who sanctify you.”

Exodus 31:13

“And the Lord, when he had ended these words in Mount Sinai, gave to Moses two stone tables of testimony, written with the finger of God. ”

Exodus 31:18

Historical Context

As a Old Testament book, Exodus was written with israel in every generation, commanded to remember the Passover as a perpetual memorial in view. Chapter 31 of 40 moves toward the climax of the book as earlier promises and conflicts converge. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 18 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Moses and Aaron appear at the center of the events recorded here. The passage starts with these words: "And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:" The final verse reads: "And the Lord, when he had ended these words in Mount Sinai, gave to Moses two stone tables of testimony, written with…" In terms of historical background, Exodus recounts the defining event of the Old Testament: God's liberation of Israel from slavery in Egypt under Pharaoh, most likely Ramesses II. The book's material reflects the era summarized as follows: Describes events of the 13th century BC; reached final written form between the 10th and 5th centuries BC.

Who Wrote It

Traditionally attributed to Moses, with later inspired editing

When It Was Written

Describes events of the 13th century BC; reached final written form between the 10th and 5th centuries BC

Catholic Commentary

In this 18-verse narrative, the sacred author records events that advance the story of liberation, law, and worship. A pivotal line is verse 3: "And I have filled him with the spirit of God, with wisdom and understanding, and knowledge in all manner of work," The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

Catholic exegesis reads Exodus 31 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. the Church sees the Exodus as prefiguring Baptism and the Eucharist (CIC 1221, 1363). St. Augustine and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 461).

The moral and spiritual import remains timely: The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.. St. Jerome insisted that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ; this chapter offers material for meditation, examination of conscience, and deeper love of God.

Main Teachings

  • ✓The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • ✓'Be holy, for I am holy': God calls His people to be set apart for Him in every area of life.
  • ✓True wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord and is a gift of the Holy Spirit.

People in This Chapter

Moses3 mentionsAaron1 mention

Reflection for Today

The late section of Exodus—Chapter 31 of 40—opens a particular moment in the story of liberation, law, and worship.

According to Catholic teaching, the Church sees the Exodus as prefiguring Baptism and the Eucharist (CIC 1221, 1363). This chapter especially highlights care for the poor and vulnerable, a theme the Catechism develops in relation to the whole of revelation (CIC 618).

May your reading of Exodus Chapter 31 become true lectio divina: read the words, meditate on their meaning, respond in prayer, and rest in God's presence. Ask the Holy Spirit to show how God delivers His people from slavery applies to your life today.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Exodus Chapter 31 about?

Exodus 31 contains 18 verses. It opens with "And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:" and closes with "And the Lord, when he had ended these words in Mount Sinai, gave to Moses two stone tables of testimony, written with…". The book as a whole is narrative, law, and liturgical instruction.

What is a key verse in Exodus 31?

One of the most significant verses is verse 3: "And I have filled him with the spirit of God, with wisdom and understanding, and knowledge in all manner of work," It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Exodus Chapter 31?

This chapter mentions Moses, Aaron.

Who wrote Exodus and when?

Traditionally attributed to Moses, with later inspired editing. Describes events of the 13th century BC; reached final written form between the 10th and 5th centuries BC.

Related Chapters

Numbers 26Shares people and themes with this chapter2 Chronicles 31Shares people and themes with this chapterSirach 45Shares people and themes with this chapter

Prayers Related to This Chapter

🙏Prayer for the Family🙏Novena to the Holy Family🙏Litany of the Saints🙏The Sanctus

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