The Meaning of Exodus 31:4 Explained

Exodus 31:4

KJV: To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,

YLT: to devise devices to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,

Darby: to devise artistic work to work in gold, and in silver, and in copper,

ASV: to devise skilful works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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

What does Exodus 31:4 Mean?

Context Summary

Exodus 31:1-18 - Wise Workmen For The Tabernacle
Whenever there is special work to be done God will find and endow the men who are to do it. "I have called,"¦ I have filled,"¦ I have appointed," etc. There is a niche for each of us in God's service, to each a special work is given; and for each those talents are imparted, which are requisite and adequate. "Created unto good works," says the Apostle, "which God has before prepared that we should walk in them," Ephesians 2:10. The talent for the sphere and the sphere for the talent-God's call binding the two with golden clasps.
But amid all our work for God there should be Sabbath-keeping-i.e., the inner rest of the soul. We are by nature full of our own works and schemes and plans; but when the spirit of rest enters us, all this is altered. Then we are not agents, but instruments; we do not work for God, but God works through us; we enter into His rest, and cease from ourselves. See Hebrews 4:10. [source]

Chapter Summary: Exodus 31

1  Bezaleel and Aholiah are appointed for the work of the tabernacle
12  The observation of the Sabbath is again commanded
18  Moses receives the two tablets

What do the individual words in Exodus 31:4 mean?

to design artistic works to work in gold and in silver and in bronze
לַחְשֹׁ֖ב מַחֲשָׁבֹ֑ת לַעֲשׂ֛וֹת בַּזָּהָ֥ב וּבַכֶּ֖סֶף וּבַנְּחֹֽשֶׁת

לַחְשֹׁ֖ב  to  design 
Parse: Preposition-l, Verb, Qal, Infinitive construct
Root: חָשַׁב 
Sense: to think, plan, esteem, calculate, invent, make a judgment, imagine, count.
מַחֲשָׁבֹ֑ת  artistic  works 
Parse: Noun, feminine plural
Root: מַחֲשָׁבָה  
Sense: thought, device.
לַעֲשׂ֛וֹת  to  work 
Parse: Preposition-l, Verb, Qal, Infinitive construct
Root: עָשָׂה 
Sense: to do, fashion, accomplish, make.
בַּזָּהָ֥ב  in  gold 
Parse: Preposition-b, Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: זָהָב  
Sense: gold.
וּבַכֶּ֖סֶף  and  in  silver 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: כֶּסֶף  
Sense: silver, money.
וּבַנְּחֹֽשֶׁת  and  in  bronze 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article, Noun, feminine singular
Root: נְחֹשֶׁת 
Sense: copper, bronze.