And you shall speak uses the emphatic you as in verse 1. This must be understood along with the words that they make, which give the meaning of “tell them to make” (Good News Translation). To all who have ability is literally “unto all [who are] wise of heart.” The heart was considered to be the seat of intelligence and skill. This probably refers to “skilled men” (New International Version), or “expert workmen” (New American Bible). The Hebrew, however, does not specify men to the exclusion of women. So Good News Translation‘s revised edition has “all the skilled workers” in place of the original “all the craftsmen.” Whom I have endowed with an able mind is literally “whom I have filled with a spirit of wisdom.” This means, of course, “to whom I have given ability” (Good News Translation), “whom I have endowed with skill” (New Revised Standard Version), or “persons who possess skills that I have given them” (Contemporary English Version).

That they may make Aaron’s garments, literally “and they will make the clothes of Aaron,” uses the same word for garments as verse 2. To consecrate him for my priesthood is literally “to make him holy for him to priest to [or, for] me.” This is the same verb form of the word for “priest” used in verse 1. (See the comment there.) The word for consecrate also means “to set apart” or “dedicate.” (See the comment on consecrate at 13.1-2.) It seems that Moses was the one to dedicate Aaron. So in some languages one may say “so that you may dedicate him as high priest” or “so that they may set him apart to me as high priest.”

Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .