The Craftsmen and the Sabbath

Exodus 31

The Lord names Beseleel and Eliab and fills them with wisdom and skill to carry out all the work of the sanctuary and its furnishings. He renews the command to keep the sabbath as a perpetual sign between himself and Israel, and gives Moses the two tables of stone written by the finger of God.

About these editions

The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.

Thomson 1808Septuagint

Brenton 1851Septuagint

Greek · BrentonSeptuagint

KJV 1769Masoretic

JPS 1917Masoretic

ThomsonTHEN the Lord spoke to Moses saying,

BrentonAnd the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,

GreekΚαὶ ἐλάλησε Κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν, λέγων,

KJVAnd the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

JPSAnd the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying:

ThomsonBehold I have called by name, Beseleel the son of Ourius, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judas,

BrentonBehold, I have called by name Beseleel the son of Urias the son of Or, of the tribe of Juda.

Greekἰδοὺ ἀνακέκλημαι ἐξ ὀνόματος τὸν Βεσελεὴλ τὸν τοῦ Οὐρείου τὸν Ὣρ, ἐκ τῆς φυλῆς Ἰούδα.

KJVSee, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah:

JPS’See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah;

Thomsonand filled him with a divine spirit of wisdom and understanding and knowledge in every kind of workmanship,

BrentonAnd I have filled him with a divine spirit of wisdom, and understanding, and knowledge, to invent in every work,

GreekΚαὶ ἐνέπλησα αὐτὸν πνεῦμα θεῖον σοφίας καὶ συνέσεως καὶ ἐπιστήμης, ἐν παντὶ ἔργῳ διανοεῖσθαι,

KJVAnd I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,

JPSand I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,

Thomsonto contrive and execute as a master carpenter; and to manufacture gold and silver and brass, and blue and purple and scarlet yarn;

Brentonand to frame works, to labour in gold, and silver, and brass, and blue, and purple, and spun scarlet,

Greekκαὶ ἀρχιτεκτονῆσαι, ἐργάζεσθαι τὸ χρυσίον, καὶ τὸ ἀργύριον, καὶ τὸν χαλκὸν, καὶ τὴν ὑάκινθον, καὶ τὴν πορφύραν, καὶ τὸ κόκκινον τὸ νηστὸν,

KJVTo devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,

JPSto devise skilful works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,

Thomsonand to cut stones; and in works of architecture made of wood to execute all kinds of workmanship.

Brentonand works in stone, and for artificers' work in wood, to work at all works.

Greekκαὶ τὰ λιθουργικὰ, καὶ εἰς τὰ ἔργα τὰ τεκτονικὰ τῶν ξύλων, ἐργάζεσθαι κατὰ πάντα τὰ ἔργα.

KJVAnd in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship.

JPSand in cutting of stones for setting, and in carving of wood, to work in all manner of workmanship.

ThomsonHim I have given with Eliab the son of Achisamach of the tribe of Dan. And to every man of an understanding heart I have given wisdom and they will make all that I have commanded thee—

BrentonAnd I have appointed him and Eliab the son of Achisamach of the tribe of Dan, and to every one understanding in heart I have given understanding; and they shall make all things as many as I have appointed thee,—

GreekΚαὶ ἐγὼ ἔδωκα αὐτὸν καὶ τὸν Ἐλιὰβ τὸν τοῦ Ἀχισαμὰχ ἐκ φυλῆς Δάν· καὶ παντὶ συνετῷ καρδίᾳ δέδωκα σύνεσιν·

KJVAnd 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;

JPSAnd I, behold, I have appointed with him Oholiab, 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:

Thomsonthe tabernacle of the testimony, and the ark of the covenant, and the propitiatory upon it, and the furniture of the tabernacle,

Brentonthe tabernacle of witness, and the ark of the covenant, and the propitiatory that is upon it, and the furniture of the tabernacle,

Greekκαὶ πονήσουσι πάντα ὅσα συνέταξά σοι, τὴν σκηνὴν τοῦ μαρτυρίου, καὶ τὴν κιβωτὸν τῆς διαθήκης, καὶ τὸ ἱλαστήριον τὸ ἐπʼ αὐτῆς, καὶ τὴν διασκευὴν τῆς σκηνῆς,

KJVThe tabernacle of the congregation, and the ark of the testimony, and the mercy seat that is thereupon, and all the furniture of the tabernacle,

JPS—

Thomsonand the altars, and the table and all the utensils thereof, and the pure candlestick and all its utensils,

Brentonand the altars, and the table and all its furniture,

Greekκαὶ τὰ θυσιαστήρια, καὶ τὴν τράπεζαν καὶ πάντα τὰ σκεύη αὐτῆς, καὶ τὴν λυχνίαν τὴν καθαρὰν καὶ πάντα τὰ σκεύη αὐτῆς

KJVAnd the table and his furniture, and the pure candlestick with all his furniture, and the altar of incense,

JPSand the table and its vessels, and the pure candlestick with all its vessels, and the altar of incense;

Thomsonand the laver with its base,

Brentonand the pure candlestick and all its furniture, and the laver and its base,

Greekκαὶ τὸν λουτῆρα καὶ τὴν βάσιν αὐτοῦ,

KJVAnd the altar of burnt offering with all his furniture, and the laver and his foot,

JPSand the altar of burnt-offering with all its vessels, and the laver and its base;

Thomsonand the sacerdotal robes of Aaron, and the robes of his sons to minister to me in the priest’s office,

Brentonand Aaron's robes of ministry, and the robes of his sons to minister to me as priests,

Greekκαὶ τὰς στολὰς τὰς λειτουργικὰς Ἀαρὼν, καὶ τὰς στολὰς τῶν υἱῶν αὐτοῦ ἱερατεύειν μοι,

KJVAnd the cloths of service, and the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, to minister in the priest’s office,

JPSand the plaited garments, and the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, to minister in the priest’s office;

Thomsonand the anointing oil and the compound incense of the sanctuary. According to all that I have commanded thee they will do.

Brentonand the anointing oil and the compound incense of the sanctuary; according to all that I have commanded thee shall they make them.

Greekκαὶ τὸ ἔλαιον τῆς χρίσεως, καὶ τὸ θυμίαμα τῆς συνθέσεως τοῦ ἁγίου· κατὰ πάντα ὅσα ἐγὼ ἐνετειλάμην σοι, ποιήσουσι.

KJVAnd the anointing oil, and sweet incense for the holy place: according to all that I have commanded thee shall they do.

JPSand the anointing oil, and the incense of sweet spices for the holy place; according to all that I have commanded thee shall they do.’

ThomsonMoreover the Lord spoke to Moses saying,

BrentonAnd the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,

GreekΚαὶ ἐλάλησε Κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν, λέγων,

KJVAnd the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

JPSAnd the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying:

ThomsonCharge the children of Israel saying, See that you keep My sabbaths. It is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the Lord who sanctifieth you;

BrentonDo thou also charge the children of Israel, saying, Take heed and keep my sabbaths; for they are a sign with me and among you throughout your generations, that ye may know that I am the Lord that sanctifies you.

GreekΚαὶ σὺ σύνταξον τοῖς υἱοῖς Ἰσραὴλ, λέγων, Ὁρᾶτε, καὶ τὰ σάββατά μου φυλάξεσθε· σημεῖόν ἐστι παρʼ ἐμοὶ καὶ ἐν ὑμῖν εἰς τὰς γενεὰς ὑμῶν, ἵνα γνῶτε ὅτι ἐγὼ Κύριος ὁ ἁγιάξων ὑμᾶς.

KJVSpeak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you.

JPS’Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying: Verily ye shall keep My sabbaths, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that ye may know that I am the LORD who sanctify you.

Thomsontherefore you shall keep the sabbath, because it is holy to the Lord for you. He who profaneth it shall surely be put to death. Whoever shall do any work on it, that person shall be rooted out from among his people.

BrentonAnd ye shall keep the sabbaths, because this is holy to the Lord for you; he that profanes it shall surely be put to death: every one who shall do a work on it, that soul shall be destroyed from the midst of his people.

Greekκαὶ φυλάξεσθε τὰ σάββατα, ὅτι ἅγιον τοῦτό ἐστι Κυρίῳ ὑμῖν· ὁ βεβηλῶν αὐτὸ, θανάτῳ θανατωθήσεται· πᾶς ὃς ποιήσει ἐν αὐτῷ ἔργον, ἐξολοθρευθήσεται ἡ ψυχὴ ἐκείνη ἐκ μέσου τοῦ λαοῦ αὐτοῦ.

KJVYe shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.

JPSYe shall keep the sabbath therefore, for it is holy unto you; every one that profaneth it shall surely be put to death; for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.

ThomsonSix days thou shalt perform works, but on the seventh day are the sabbaths, a rest holy to the Lord. Whoever shall do any work on the seventh day shall be put to death.

BrentonSix days thou shalt do works, but the seventh day is the sabbath, a holy rest to the Lord; every one who shall do a work on the seventh day shall be put to death.

Greekἓξ ἡμέρας ποιήσεις ἔργα, τῇ δὲ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ ἑβδόμῃ σάββατα, ἀνάπαυσις ἁγία τῷ κυρίῳ· πᾶς ὃς ποιήσει ἔργον τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ ἑβδόμῃ θανατωθήσεται.

KJVSix days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.

JPSSix days shall work be done; but on the seventh day is a sabbath of solemn rest, holy to the LORD; whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.

Thomson—

BrentonAnd the children of Israel shall keep the sabbaths, to observe them throughout their generations.

GreekΚαὶ φυλάξουσιν οἱ υἱοὶ Ἰσραὴλ τὰ σάββατα, ποιεῖν αὐτὰ εἰς τὰς γενεὰς αὐτῶν·

KJVWherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant.

JPSWherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant.

ThomsonTherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbaths and cause them to be kept throughout their generations. It is an everlasting covenant between Me and the children of Israel. It is for me a perpetual sign that in six days the Lord made the heaven and the earth and rested on the seventh.

BrentonIt is a perpetual covenant with me and the children of Israel, it is a perpetual sign with me; for in six days the Lord made the heaven and the earth, and on the seventh day he ceased, and rested.

GreekΔιαθήκη αἰώνιος ἐν ἐμοὶ καὶ τοῖς υἱοῖς Ἰσραὴλ, σημεῖόν ἐστιν ἐν ἐμοὶ αἰώνιον· ὅτι ἓξ ἡμεραις ἐποίησε Κύριος τὸν οὐρανὸν καὶ τὴν γῆν, καὶ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ ἑβδόμῃ κατέπαυσε, καὶ ἐπαύσατο.

KJVIt is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.

JPSIt is a sign between Me and the children of Israel for ever; for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day He ceased from work and rested.’

ThomsonHere he paused, and gave Moses, when he had ceased speaking to him on mount Sina, two tables of the testimony—tables of stone written with the finger of God.

BrentonAnd he gave to Moses when he left off speaking to him in mount Sina the two tables of testimony, tables of stone written upon with the finger of God.

GreekΚαὶ ἔδωκε Μωυσῇ ἡνίκα κατέπαυσε λαλῶν αὐτῷ ἐν τῷ ὄρει τῷ Σινὰ, τὰς δύο πλάκας τοῦ μαρτυρίου, πλάκας λιθίνας γεγραμμένας τῷ δακτύλῳ τοῦ Θεοῦ.

KJVAnd he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.

JPSAnd He gave unto Moses, when He had made an end of speaking with him upon mount Sinai, the two tables of the testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.