Exodus Chapter 35 — The Offering for the Tabernacle
Moses instructs the Israelites on Sabbath observance and calls for a voluntary offering of materials and skills to build the Tabernacle.
1Moses assembled all the congregation of the children of Israel, and said to them, “These are the words which the LORD 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 the LORD: 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 the LORD commanded, saying,
5‘Take from among you an offering to the LORD. Whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it as the LORD’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 the LORD 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 the LORD’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 the LORD.
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 the LORD’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 the LORD; every man and woman whose heart made them willing to bring for all the work, which the LORD had commanded to be made by Moses.
30Moses said to the children of Israel, “Behold, the LORD 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.
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
Exodus 35:5
“Take from among you an offering to the LORD. Whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it as the LORD’s offering: gold, silver, bronze,”
This verse emphasizes that the construction of the sanctuary was to be supported by voluntary, cheerful giving rather than compulsion.
Exodus 35:31
“He has filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of workmanship;”
It shows that artistic and technical skills are considered spiritual gifts intended for the service of the community and God.
Chapter Summary
Moses assembles the congregation of Israel to communicate the LORD's instructions. He begins by reinforcing the commandment of the Sabbath, a day of solemn rest where no work is to be done. Moses then invites the people to bring a free-will offering of materials for the Tabernacle, including precious metals, colored yarns, fine linen, and wood. The community responds with generosity; both men and women bring jewelry, fabrics, and other resources as their hearts are moved. Moses also introduces Bezalel and Oholiab, two craftsmen specifically chosen and filled with the Spirit of God. These men are gifted with wisdom and skill in engraving, embroidery, weaving, and various other crafts to lead the construction and teach others the necessary skills for the sanctuary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moses explicitly states that the Israelites were to kindle no fire in their homes on the Sabbath day, highlighting the strict nature of the day of rest.
They were the primary craftsmen appointed by God to build the Tabernacle. Bezalel was from the tribe of Judah and Oholiab was from the tribe of Dan; both were filled with divine wisdom and the ability to teach others.
The Israelites brought gold, silver, bronze, blue, purple, and scarlet yarns, fine linen, goats' hair, rams' skins dyed red, sea cow hides, acacia wood, oil, spices, and various gemstones.
Both men and women participated. While many brought physical materials like jewelry and wood, others contributed their skills, such as women who spun the blue, purple, and scarlet yarns.
Study Note
The repetition of the Sabbath commandment at the beginning of the construction process indicates that the sacred work of building the Tabernacle did not exempt the people from the duty of rest.
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