Exodus 31:1

Study note

Setting — The LORD addresses Moses directly to initiate a new divine communication. This declaration immediately precedes the specific personnel appointment detailed in Exodus 31:2.

The words — The Hebrew phrase וַיְדַבֵּר יְהוָה אֶל־מֹשֶׁה (va.y.da.Ber Yah.weh 'el-mo.Sheh) literally renders "and Yahweh spoke to Moses." The verb דָּבַר (da.Ber) denotes formal speech or declaration, while the infinitive לֵ/אמֹר (le./Mor) signals the specific message that follows.

The thread — This verse belongs to the pattern of divine speech formulas that structure the Mosaic narrative. It introduces God’s direct instruction, which immediately unfolds into the specific appointment and gifting described in Exodus 31:2.

Why it lands — It requires the reader to recognize that subsequent commands and appointments originate from direct divine authority rather than human initiative. The reader must prepare to receive specific instructions that follow the speaker’s declaration.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.