5 Take H3947 ye from among you an offering H8641 unto the LORD: H3068 whosoever H3605 is of a willing H5081 heart, H3820 let him bring H935 it, an offering H8641 of the LORD; H3068 gold, H2091 and silver, H3701 and brass, H5178
6 And blue, H8504 and purple, H713 and scarlet, H8144 H8438 and fine linen, H8336 and goats' H5795 hair,
7 And rams' H352 skins H5785 dyed red, H119 and badgers' H8476 skins, H5785 and shittim H7848 wood, H6086
8 And oil H8081 for the light, H3974 and spices H1314 for anointing H4888 oil, H8081 and for the sweet H5561 incense, H7004
9 And onyx H7718 stones, H68 and stones H68 to be set H4394 for the ephod, H646 and for the breastplate. H2833
10 And every wise H2450 hearted H3820 among you shall come, H935 and make H6213 all that the LORD H3068 hath commanded; H6680
11 The tabernacle, H4908 his tent, H168 and his covering, H4372 his taches, H7165 and his boards, H7175 his bars, H1280 his pillars, H5982 and his sockets, H134
12 The ark, H727 and the staves H905 thereof, with the mercy seat, H3727 and the vail H6532 of the covering, H4539
13 The table, H7979 and his staves, H905 and all his vessels, H3627 and the shewbread, H6440 H3899
14 The candlestick H4501 also for the light, H3974 and his furniture, H3627 and his lamps, H5216 with the oil H8081 for the light, H3974
15 And the incense H7004 altar, H4196 and his staves, H905 and the anointing H4888 oil, H8081 and the sweet H5561 incense, H7004 and the hanging H4539 for the door at the entering in H6607 of the tabernacle, H4908
16 The altar H4196 of burnt offering, H5930 with his brasen H5178 grate, H4345 his staves, H905 and all his vessels, H3627 the laver H3595 and his foot, H3653
17 The hangings H7050 of the court, H2691 his pillars, H5982 and their sockets, H134 and the hanging H4539 for the door H8179 of the court, H2691
18 The pins H3489 of the tabernacle, H4908 and the pins H3489 of the court, H2691 and their cords, H4340
19 The cloths H899 of service, H8278 to do service H8334 in the holy H6944 place, the holy H6944 garments H899 for Aaron H175 the priest, H3548 and the garments H899 of his sons, H1121 to minister in the priest's office. H3547
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Exodus 35
Commentary on Exodus 35 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 35
Ex 35:1-35. Contributions to the Tabernacle.
1. Moses gathered all the congregation of the children of Israel, &c.—On the occasion referred to in the opening of this chapter, the Israelites were specially reminded of the design to erect a magnificent tabernacle for the regular worship of God, as well as of the leading articles that were required to furnish that sacred edifice [Ex 35:11-19]. (See on Ex 25:1-40; Ex 27:1-21; Ex 30:1-31:18).
20, 21. all the congregation of Israel departed from the presence of Moses—No exciting harangues were made, nor had the people Bibles at home in which they could compare the requirements of their leader and see if these things were so. But they had no doubt as to his bearing to them the will of God, and they were impressed with so strong a sense of its being their duty, that they made a spontaneous offer of the best and most valuable treasures they possessed.
21. they came, every one whose heart stirred him up—One powerful element doubtless of this extraordinary open-hearted liberality was the remembrance of their recent transgression, which made them "zealous of good works" (compare 2Co 7:11). But along with this motive, there were others of a higher and nobler kind—a principle of love to God and devotedness to His service, an anxious desire to secure the benefit of His presence, and gratitude for the tokens of His divine favor: it was under the combined influence of these considerations that the people were so willing and ready to pour their contributions into that exchequer of the sanctuary.
every one whom his spirit made willing—Human nature is always the same, and it is implied that while an extraordinary spirit of pious liberality reigned in the bosoms of the people at large, there were exceptions—some who were too fond of the world, who loved their possessions more than their God, and who could not part with these; no, not for the service of the tabernacle.
22. they came, both men and women, &c.—literally, "the men over and above the women"; a phraseology which implies that the women acted a prominent part, presented their offerings first, and then were followed by as many of their male companions as were similarly disposed.
brought bracelets, &c.—There was in that early age no money in the form of coins or bullion. What money passed current with the merchant consisted of rings which were weighed, and principally of ornaments for personal decoration. Astonishment at the abundance of their ornaments is at an end when we learn that costly and elegant ornaments abounded in proportion as clothing was simple and scarce among the Egyptians, and some, entirely divested of clothing, yet wore rich necklaces [Hengstenberg]. Among people with Oriental sentiments and tastes, scarcely any stronger proof could have been given of the power of religion than their willingness not only to lay aside, but to devote those much-valued trinkets to the house of God; and thus all, like the Eastern sages, laid the best they had at the service of God.
30. See, the Lord hath called by name Bezaleel, the son of Uri, &c.—Moses had made this communication before [see Ex 31:2-5; also see on Ex 31:2]. But now that the collection had been made, the materials were contributed, and the operations of building about to be commenced, it was with the greatest propriety he reminded the people that the individuals entrusted with the application of their gold and silver had been nominated to the work by authority to which all would bow.
35. Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart—A statement which not only testifies that skill in art and science is a direct gift from God, but that weaving was especially the business of men in Egypt (see Ex 38:22; 39:22, 27). And in perfect harmony with the testimony of the monuments is the account given by Moses to the artists who were divinely taught the arts necessary for the embellishment of the tabernacle. Others, whose limited means did not admit of these expensive contributions, offered their gratuitous services in fabricating such articles of tapestry as were needed; arts which the Israelitish females learned as bondwomen, in the houses of Egyptian princes.