Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Exodus 31:2
See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah:
2. called by name ] i.e. specially chosen: cf. Isa 45:3-4 (of Cyrus).
Bal’l ] i.e. ‘In the shadow (i.e. protection, Num 14:9 RVm.) of God’; cf. the Ass. name Ina-illi-Bel, ‘In the shadow of Bel’ (cited by B.). There are no sufficient grounds for identifying the ur here with the ur of Exo 17:10, Exo 24:14. The whole series ur, Uri, Bal’l occurs again in 1Ch 2:19 f., in the ‘family’ of Caleb, one of the three leading clans of Judah; but the relation of the two series of names to each other is uncertain: 1Sa 30:14 appears to shew that even in David’s time the Caleb-clan was not yet actually part of Judah (comp. the writer’s Genesis, p. 327; and DB., EB., s.v. Caleb).
In v. 6 Oholiab is associated with Bal’l; but Bal’l is evidently regarded as the constructor in chief: he always takes the first place (Exo 36:1-2; cf. Exo 38:22 f.), and is often mentioned alone (Exo 37:1, and implicitly in vv. 10, 17, 25, &c.).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 2. I have called by name Bezaleel] That is, I have particularly appointed this person to be the chief superintendent of the whole work. His name is significant, betsal-el, in or under the shadow of God, meaning, under the especial protection of the Most High. He was the son of Uri, the son of Hur, the son of Caleb or Chelubai, the son of Esron, the son of Pharez, the son of Judah. See 1Ch 2:5, 1Ch 2:9, 1Ch 2:18-20, and See Clarke on Ex 17:10.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
He seems to be the same mentioned 1Ch 2:20
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
2. See, I have calledThoughthe instructions about the tabernacle were privately communicated toMoses, it was plainly impossible that he could superintend the workin person, amid the multiplicity of his other duties. A head directoror builder was selected by God Himself; and the nomination by suchhigh authority removed all ground of jealousy or discontent on thepart of any who might have thought their merits overlooked (compareMt 18:1).
by name Bezaleelsignifying”in the shadow or protection of God”; and, as called todischarge a duty of great magnitudeto execute a confidential trustin the ancient Church of God, he has his family and lineage recordedwith marked distinction. He belonged to the tribe of Judah, which,doubtless for wise and weighty reasons, God all along delighted tohonor; and he was the grandson of Hur, a pious patriot (Ex17:12), who was associated, by a special commission, with Aaronin the government of the people during the absence of Moses.Moreover, it may be noticed that a Jewish tradition affirms Hur to bethe husband of Miriam; and if this tradition may be relied on, itaffords an additional reason for the appointment of Bezaleelemanating from the direct authority of God.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
See, I have called by name Bezaleel,…. Had pitched upon, chosen, and distinguished him particularly from all other men to be the architect or chief master builder of the tabernacle, and to be the director and overseer of the whole work relating to it: the Targums of Jonathan and Jerusalem paraphrase it,
“”I have called with a good name Bezaleel”;”
as if respect was to be had to his name Bezaleel, as given him by God, and very expressive and significant; whereas the phrase of calling “by name” does not signify the imposing of a name upon him, but the singular and personal choice of him to an office: indeed, his name Bezaleel is very significant, and may be rendered, “in the shadow of God”; and he was under the shadow, influence, and protection of the Lord, and was called to be concerned in making those things, which were shadows of good things to come; and he may be considered in all as a type of Christ, who is the chief and master builder of his church, has the care and oversight of it, and under whom others work; for except he built the house, they labour in vain that build it; he was called by name, or eminently chosen to this work, he took not this honour to himself, but was called of God, as Bezaleel was, and was hid and abode under the shadow of the Almighty all the while he was concerned in it, see Ps 91:1
the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah; Bezaleel’s father’s name was Uri, which signifies, “my light”; and his grandfather’s name Hur, which has the signification of liberty or freedom; the same that Moses left with Aaron to judge the people of Israel during his stay in the mount, and is thought to have been the husband of Miriam; so that his grandfather being living, he may be supposed to be but a young man: the Jews say n he was but thirteen years of age when he was employed in this service, but that is not probable; though indeed his antitype, when but twelve years of age, said, “wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?” his Father, whom he calls Uri, my light, Ps 27:1 he being the brightness of his Father’s glory, and the express image of his person; and is the Son of God that makes men free, and they are free indeed; and of whom it is evident that he sprung out of the tribe of Judah, a tribe greatly honoured of God.
n Shalshalet Hakabala, fol. 6. 2.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
2. See, I have called by name Bezaleel. In the remainder of this work we shall follow the course of the history to the end of Deuteronomy, where the death of Moses himself is recorded.
Although God had omitted nothing which related to the form of the tabernacle, but had accurately prescribed every thing that was to be done, still the actual difficulty of the work might have overwhelmed both Moses and the whole people with despair; for this was no ordinary work, or one on which the most skillful artificers might exercise their ingenuity, but a marvelous structure, the pattern of which had been shewn on the Mount, so that it might seem incredible that any mortals should be able by their art to compass what God had commanded. Besides, they had been entirely engaged in servile tasks in Egypt, such as would extinguish all intellectual vigor, and prevent them from aspiring to any liberal arts. Hence we gather that all, who obediently follow God’s voice, are never destitute of His aid. In all our difficulties, then, let this prayer encourage us to proceed: (290) “Give what Thou commandest: and command what Thou wilt.”
To “call by name,” is equivalent to rendering eminent, so that Moses signifies that Bezaleel should be something extraordinary, as being endowed with a peculiar gift. Thus Cyrus is said in Isa 45:4, to be called by his name, because in the purpose of God he had been destined in a remarkable manner to execute such great things. Still, although the call of Bezaleel was special, because, as I have just said, God entrusted to him an unusual and by no means ordinary work, we gather that no one excels even in the most despised and humble handicraft, except in so far as God’s Spirit works in him. For, although “there are diversities of gifts,” still it is the same Spirit from whom they all flow, (1Co 12:4😉 and also as God has seen fit to distribute and measure them out to every man. Nor is this only the case with respect to the spiritual gifts which follow regeneration, but in all the branches of knowledge which come into use in common life. It is, therefore, a false division, when ungodly men ascribe all the means of our support partly to nature and God’s blessing, and partly to the industry of man, since man’s industry itself is a blessing from God. The poets are more correct who acknowledge that all which is suggested by nature comes from God; that all the arts emanate from Him, and therefore ought to be accounted divine inventions. The utility of this doctrine is two-fold; first, that all things which have reference to the support and defense of life, whenever we meet with them, should excite our gratitude, and that whatever seems to be derived from man’s ingenuity, should be regarded as proofs of God’s paternal solicitude for us; and, secondly, that we should honor God as the Author of so many good things, since He sanctifies them for our use. Moses applies many epithets to the Spirit, because he is speaking of so remarkable a work; yet we must conclude, float whatever ability is possessed by any emanates from one only source, and is conferred by God. This is the only difference, that Bezaleel was endued with consummate excellence, whilst God makes distribution to others according to His pleasure.
(290) Augustin. Confess. 10. 40. “Et tota spes mea non nisi in magna valde misericordia tua. Da quod jubes, et jube quod vis. ” See also ibid. , Section 45, 7. Edit. Bened. , Tom. 1, pp. 184, 186, 191; et Tom. 10. 851 A.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(2) I have called by name.It is a high honour to be called of God by name. He thus calls only those whom He appoints to some great work, as Moses (Exo. 3:4; Exo. 33:12), Samuel (1Sa. 3:10), and Cyrus (Isa. 45:3-4).
Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur.Hur, the grandfather of Bezaleel, is generally supposed to be identical with the Hur who supported Mosess hands (Exo. 17:12), and was left joint regent with Aaron when Moses went up into Mount Sinai (Exo. 24:14). There is, however, no evidence of this beyond the identity of the name.
Of the tribe of Judah.Descended from Judah through Pharez, Hezron, and Caleb (1Ch. 2:5; 1Ch. 2:18-20).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Exo 31:2-6. See, I have called by name Bezaleel, &c. Bezaleel and Aholiab, Exo 31:5 are particularly chosen (which is the meaning of the phrase calling by name, Isa 45:3.) as the principal artists, the chief directors and overseers of the work and the workmen who were under them. For an explanation of the phrase, I have filled him with the Spirit of God, &c. Exo 31:3 see note on ch. Exo 28:3. It is not to be questioned, that the arts were carried to a great height at this time in Egypt; in which, no doubt, many of the Israelites were proficients, as having so long continued there: engraving on stones, in particular, being one of the inventions of luxury, abundantly proves the antiquity of the polite arts in Egypt. However, there can be no doubt, from the words of Scripture, that these artificers were peculiarly instructed and assisted by God himself; that God, whose spirit giveth wisdom of every kind unto man. In carving of timber, Exo 31:5 would be rendered more properly in cutting of timber, or in fabricating of timber (Lignisque fabre-factis, as Houbigant has it); for we read of no carved work in the tabernacle. An able writer observes, “That God would have something so appropriated to himself, especially in the more peculiar place of his worship, as that it was not lawful for any man to imitate the like for any other service or convenience,appears by many instances; particularly the perfume of the incense, (a confection after the art of the apothecary,) some whereof was beaten very small, and put before the testimony in the tabernacle. The perfume was always smelt before the congregation; yet ye shall not make to yourselves according to the composition thereof: whosoever shall make like unto that, to smell thereto, shall even be cut off from his people. And, it is very probable, that, as God did inspire men who were before unskilful to be able to perform all those curious workmanships which he had prescribed to Moses, for his tabernacle, altars, &c. which had never been known before, (I have called Bezaleel, &c.) so he did extinguish all those sciences as soon as the work was finished for which he had designed them; for, after that was done, we find little of those curiosities in practice among that people, nor in any nations where we have many records of magnificent structures, until the building of the temple of Solomon; when they seem to have been recovered, probably by the same means.”
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Exo 31:2 See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah:
Ver. 2. The son of Hur. ] Of that Hur mentioned in Exo 17:12 ; Exo 24:14 .
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
See. Figure of speech Asterismos (App-6), to call our attention to the importance of this member. I have called. Note the qualifications in T and T: “I have filled”, “I have given”, “I have put”, &c. Compare Joh 3:27. No Tubal-Cain could instruct these artificers.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
I have: Exo 33:12, Exo 33:17, Exo 35:30, Exo 36:1, Isa 45:3, Isa 45:4, Mar 3:16-19, Joh 3:27
Bezaleel: Exo 37:1, 1Ch 2:19, 1Ch 2:20
Reciprocal: 1Ki 7:14 – he was filled 1Ch 28:12 – the pattern 2Ch 1:5 – Bezaleel
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
31:2 See, I {a} have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah:
(a) I have chosen and made meet, Exo 35:30.