Coordinated Abstract Nouns and the Power of Prepositional Structure

Introduction to Exodus 31:3

This verse is part of YHWH’s speech to Moshe concerning the appointment of Betsal’el for the work of constructing the Mishkan. The verse lists qualities with which Betsal’el is filled—wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and craftsmanship—using a repeated prepositional structure that elevates the poetic and theological impact of the declaration. This lesson will explore the grammar and rhetorical function of coordinated abstract nouns introduced by repeated prepositions, especially when used in divine empowerment formulas.

וָאֲמַלֵּ֥א אֹתֹ֖ו ר֣וּחַ אֱלֹהִ֑ים בְּחָכְמָ֛ה וּבִתְבוּנָ֥ה וּבְדַ֖עַת וּבְכָל־מְלָאכָֽה׃

Analysis of Key Words and Structures

1. וָאֲמַלֵּ֥א (vaʾammalē) – First person singular Qal wayyiqtol verb from the root מלא, “I filled.” The conjunction וָ links to the previous clause, showing sequential action.
2. אֹתֹ֖ו (oto) – Direct object pronoun, third masculine singular, “him.” Refers to Betsal’el, the recipient of the filling.
3. רוּחַ אֱלֹהִים (ruaḥ ʾElohim) – Construct chain: “the Spirit of God.” רוּחַ is in construct with the proper noun אֱלֹהִים, forming one conceptual unit: divine spirit or empowerment.
4. בְּחָכְמָ֛ה (beḥokhmah) – Prepositional phrase: “with wisdom.” בְּ־ introduces the manner of filling.
5. וּבִתְבוּנָ֥ה (uvitvunah) – “And with understanding.” Coordinated with the previous phrase by וּ־, repeating the preposition בְּ־ for rhythmic emphasis.
6. וּבְדַ֖עַת (uvdaʿat) – “And with knowledge.” Another abstract noun in the coordinated series.
7. וּבְכָל־מְלָאכָֽה (uvkhol-melakhah) – “And with all workmanship/labor.” Construct phrase: כָל־ + מְלָאכָה. The repeated preposition continues, emphasizing the range of skills imparted.

The Grammatical Role of Repeated Prepositions with Coordinated Abstract Nouns

In standard Biblical Hebrew, multiple coordinated nouns may be introduced by a single preposition, which applies distributively to all items. However, in elevated or emphatic contexts, the language repeats the preposition with each noun, as seen in this verse.

Here, the preposition בְּ־ (“with” or “in”) is repeated four times:

– בְּחָכְמָה (“with wisdom”)
– וּבִתְבוּנָה (“and with understanding”)
– וּבְדַעַת (“and with knowledge”)
– וּבְכָל־מְלָאכָה (“and with all craftsmanship”)

This repetition serves several purposes:

1. Emphasis and Weight: Each attribute is presented with rhetorical weight. By repeating the preposition, each quality is highlighted as a distinct, divine endowment.

2. Elevated Register: This syntactic pattern is common in priestly and poetic literature, especially in descriptions of divine action, blessing, or empowerment.

3. Semantic Clarity: The repetition of בְּ־ ensures that the reader understands that each noun is governed individually, not subordinately, by the Spirit of God.

4. Theological Structuring: The list proceeds from intellectual gifts (חָכְמָה, תְבוּנָה, דַעַת) to practical ability (מְלָאכָה), showing a comprehensive divine equipping.

Syntactically, this list of abstract nouns functions as the complement of the verb וָאֲמַלֵּ֥א, forming a prepositional series that elaborates the content of the divine filling.

Why Repetition of Prepositions Magnifies Divine Empowerment

The structure of Exodus 31:3 reveals a deliberate grammatical choice: the repetition of prepositions to elevate the status of each gift imparted by YHWH. Rather than economizing with one governing preposition, the verse assigns each quality its own grammatical pedestal, signaling its significance.

This syntactic style reinforces the total sufficiency of the Spirit of God for the work ahead. The divine filling is not partial or generic—it is complete, precise, and tailored. Wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and craftsmanship are not presented as a composite blur but as individual, necessary components of holy service.

Understanding this Hebrew technique of prepositional repetition sheds light on the literary and theological precision of Torah narrative. Through grammar, the verse proclaims that what is required for divine service is not natural talent alone—but Spirit-endowed excellence, marked grammatically by the insistent rhythm of בְּ־.