Exodus35
New Living Translation
1Then Moses called together the whole community of Israel and told them, “These are the instructions the Lord has commanded you to follow.
2You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day must be a Sabbath day of complete rest, a holy day dedicated to the Lord. Anyone who works on that day must be put to death.
3You must not even light a fire in any of your homes on the Sabbath.”
4Then Moses said to the whole community of Israel, “This is what the Lord has commanded:
5Take a sacred offering for the Lord. Let those with generous hearts present the following gifts to the Lord: gold, silver, and bronze;
6blue, purple, and scarlet thread; fine linen and goat hair for cloth;
7tanned ram skins and fine goatskin leather; acacia wood;
8olive oil for the lamps; spices for the anointing oil and the fragrant incense;
9onyx stones, and other gemstones to be set in the ephod and the priest’s chestpiece.
10“Come, all of you who are gifted craftsmen. Construct everything that the Lord has commanded:
11the Tabernacle and its sacred tent, its covering, clasps, frames, crossbars, posts, and bases;
12the Ark and its carrying poles; the Ark’s cover—the place of atonement; the inner curtain to shield the Ark;
13the table, its carrying poles, and all its utensils; the Bread of the Presence;
14for light, the lampstand, its accessories, the lamp cups, and the olive oil for lighting;
15the incense altar and its carrying poles; the anointing oil and fragrant incense; the curtain for the entrance of the Tabernacle;
16the altar of burnt offering; the bronze grating of the altar and its carrying poles and utensils; the washbasin with its stand;
17the curtains for the walls of the courtyard; the posts and their bases; the curtain for the entrance to the courtyard;
18the tent pegs of the Tabernacle and courtyard and their ropes;
19the beautifully stitched garments for the priests to wear while ministering in the Holy Place—the sacred garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments for his sons to wear as they minister as priests.”
20So the whole community of Israel left Moses and returned to their tents.
21All whose hearts were stirred and whose spirits were moved came and brought their sacred offerings to the Lord. They brought all the materials needed for the Tabernacle, for the performance of its rituals, and for the sacred garments.
22Both men and women came, all whose hearts were willing. They brought to the Lord their offerings of gold—brooches, earrings, rings from their fingers, and necklaces. They presented gold objects of every kind as a special offering to the Lord.
23All those who owned the following items willingly brought them: blue, purple, and scarlet thread; fine linen and goat hair for cloth; and tanned ram skins and fine goatskin leather.
24And all who had silver and bronze objects gave them as a sacred offering to the Lord. And those who had acacia wood brought it for use in the project.
25All the women who were skilled in sewing and spinning prepared blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine linen cloth.
26All the women who were willing used their skills to spin the goat hair into yarn.
27The leaders brought onyx stones and the special gemstones to be set in the ephod and the priest’s chestpiece.
28They also brought spices and olive oil for the light, the anointing oil, and the fragrant incense.
29So the people of Israel—every man and woman who was eager to help in the work the Lord had given them through Moses—brought their gifts and gave them freely to the Lord.
30Then Moses told the people of Israel, “The Lord has specifically chosen Bezalel son of Uri, grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah.
31The Lord has filled Bezalel with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts.
32He is a master craftsman, expert in working with gold, silver, and bronze.
33He is skilled in engraving and mounting gemstones and in carving wood. He is a master at every craft.
34And the Lord has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach their skills to others.
35The Lord has given them special skills as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple, and scarlet thread on fine linen cloth, and weavers. They excel as craftsmen and as designers.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Exodus 35.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The sabbath to be observed. (1–3). The free gifts for the tabernacle. (4–19). The readiness of the people in general. (20–29). Bezaleel and Aholiab called to the work. (30–35).
vv1-3
The mild and easy yoke of Christ has made our sabbath duties more delightful, and our sabbath restraints less irksome, than those of the Jews; but we are the more guilty by neglecting them. Surely God's wisdom in giving us the sabbath, with all the mercy of its purposes, are sinfully disregarded. Is it nothing to pour contempt upon the blessed day, which a bounteous God has given to us for our growth in grace with the church below, and to prepare us for happiness with the church above?
vv4-19
The tabernacle was to be dedicated to the honour of God, and used in his service; and therefore what was brought for it, was an offering to the Lord. The rule is, Whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring. All that were skilful must work. God dispenses his gifts; and as every man hath received, so he must minister, 1Pe 4:10. Those that were rich, must bring in materials to work on; those that were skilful, must serve the tabernacle with their skill: as they needed one another, so the tabernacle needed them both, 1Co 12:7–21.
vv20-29
Without a willing mind, costly offerings would be abhorred; with it, the smallest will be accepted. Our hearts are willing, when we cheerfully assist in promoting the cause of God. Those who are diligent and contented in employments considered mean, are as much accepted of God as those engaged in splendid services. The women who spun the goats' hair were wise-hearted, because they did it heartily to the Lord. Thus the labourer, mechanic, or servant who attends to his work in the faith and fear of God, may be as wise, for his place, as the most useful minister, and he equally accepted of the Lord. Our wisdom and duty consist in giving God the glory and use of our talents, be they many or few.
Key Words
מֹשֶׁה: Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver
קָהַל: to convoke
עֵדָה: a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd)
בֵּן: a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)
יִשְׂרָאֵל: Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
אָמַר: to say (used with great latitude)
דָּבָר: a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
צָוָה: (intensively) to constitute, enjoin
עָשָׂה: to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
שֵׁשׁ: six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ord. sixth
Cross References
Exodus 35Direct parallel linking the Sabbath command immediately with instructions for constructing the Tabernacle.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Paul's principle of giving cheerfully, not under compulsion, echoing the 'willing heart' requirement.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Direct reference to the divine calling and naming of Bezaleel and Aholiab for the tabernacle work.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
The initial divine call and spiritual filling of the skilled craftsmen Bezaleel and Aholiab.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
The initial command and pattern for taking a willing-hearted offering for the sanctuary.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
NT principle of cheerful, non-grudging giving directly echoes the willing-hearted contributors here.
Supported by Matthew Poole
A critical comparative text for the controversial prohibition on kindling fires or cooking on the Sabbath.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The original command of God to take an offering from everyone who gives willingly.
Supported by John Calvin
The immediate fulfillment showing the people's hearts were stirred to bring the free-will offering.
Supported by John Calvin
Parallel joy and willingness in offering materials for the construction of the Temple under David.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallel to various spiritual gifts given by the same Spirit for the common good.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Verbatim parallel of being filled with the Spirit of God in wisdom and knowledge.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Historical account of the execution of a Sabbath-breaker who was caught gathering sticks for a fire.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The original blueprint for the Ark of the Covenant, now called to be constructed.
Supported by JFB
The original specifications for the Table of Shewbread listed among the utensils.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The design pattern for the golden candlestick and its instruments of light.
Supported by JFB
The original design instructions for the golden altar of incense.
Supported by JFB
The specifications for the bronze altar of burnt offering and its necessary utensils.
Supported by JFB
Echoes those whose spirits God stirred to build the house of the Lord.
Supported by John Calvin
Depicts virtuous, wise-hearted women spinning and working with their hands in textile crafts.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Provides the specific recipes for the anointing oil and sweet incense mentioned in verse 28.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Confirms Aholiab's specific role as an engraver, cunning workman, and embroiderer.
Supported by Matthew Henry
David's acknowledgment that all offering willingness and substance ultimately come from God's hand.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The direct instruction to use goats' hair for the tent over the tabernacle.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Confirms Bezaleel executed all that the Lord commanded Moses for the tabernacle.
Supported by JFB
Shows the rulers taking the lead in offering precious stones and treasures.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Solomon's master artisan, Hiram, filled with wisdom and understanding, parallel to Bezaleel.
Supported by Matthew Henry