Exodus35
World English Bible · Public Domain
1Moses assembled all the congregation of the children of Israel, and said to them, “These are the words which Yahweh has commanded, that you should do them.
2‘Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be a holy day for you, a Sabbath of solemn rest to Yahweh: whoever does any work in it shall be put to death.
3You shall kindle no fire throughout your habitations on the Sabbath day.’”
4Moses spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, “This is the thing which Yahweh commanded, saying,
5‘Take from among you an offering to Yahweh. Whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it as Yahweh’s offering: gold, silver, bronze,
6blue, purple, scarlet, fine linen, goats’ hair,
7rams’ skins dyed red, sea cow hides, acacia wood,
8oil for the light, spices for the anointing oil and for the sweet incense,
9onyx stones, and stones to be set for the ephod and for the breastplate.
10“‘Let every wise-hearted man among you come, and make all that Yahweh has commanded:
11the tabernacle, its outer covering, its roof, its clasps, its boards, its bars, its pillars, and its sockets;
12the ark, and its poles, the mercy seat, the veil of the screen;
13the table with its poles and all its vessels, and the show bread;
14the lamp stand also for the light, with its vessels, its lamps, and the oil for the light;
15and the altar of incense with its poles, the anointing oil, the sweet incense, the screen for the door, at the door of the tabernacle;
16the altar of burnt offering, with its grating of bronze, its poles, and all its vessels, the basin and its base;
17the hangings of the court, its pillars, their sockets, and the screen for the gate of the court;
18the pins of the tabernacle, the pins of the court, and their cords;
19the finely worked garments for ministering in the holy place—the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons—to minister in the priest’s office.’”
20All the congregation of the children of Israel departed from the presence of Moses.
21They came, everyone whose heart stirred him up, and everyone whom his spirit made willing, and brought Yahweh’s offering for the work of the Tent of Meeting, and for all of its service, and for the holy garments.
22They came, both men and women, as many as were willing-hearted, and brought brooches, earrings, signet rings, and armlets, all jewels of gold; even every man who offered an offering of gold to Yahweh.
23Everyone with whom was found blue, purple, scarlet, fine linen, goats’ hair, rams’ skins dyed red, and sea cow hides, brought them.
24Everyone who offered an offering of silver and bronze brought Yahweh’s offering; and everyone with whom was found acacia wood for any work of the service, brought it.
25All the women who were wise-hearted spun with their hands, and brought that which they had spun: the blue, the purple, the scarlet, and the fine linen.
26All the women whose heart stirred them up in wisdom spun the goats’ hair.
27The rulers brought the onyx stones and the stones to be set for the ephod and for the breastplate;
28with the spice and the oil for the light, for the anointing oil, and for the sweet incense.
29The children of Israel brought a free will offering to Yahweh; every man and woman whose heart made them willing to bring for all the work, which Yahweh had commanded to be made by Moses.
30Moses said to the children of Israel, “Behold, Yahweh has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah.
31He has filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of workmanship;
32and to make skillful works, to work in gold, in silver, in bronze,
33in cutting of stones for setting, and in carving of wood, to work in all kinds of skillful workmanship.
34He has put in his heart that he may teach, both he and Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan.
35He has filled them with wisdom of heart to work all kinds of workmanship, of the engraver, of the skillful workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, even of those who do any workmanship, and of those who make skillful works.
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