Exodus 35
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
And Moses gathered - The principal subjects in this chapter have been already largely considered in the notes on chapters 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, and 31, and to those the reader is particularly desired to refer, together with the parallel texts in the margin.
Open source ↗CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE TABERNACLE. (Exo. 35:1-35) 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 [Exo 35:11-19]. (See on Exo. 25:1-40; Exo. 27:1-21; Exo. 30:1-31:18).
Open source ↗And Moses gathered all the congregation of the children of Israel together,.... According to Jarchi, on the morrow after the day of atonement; that is, the next day after his descent from the mount, being desirous of setting about the building of the tabernacle, and making all things appertaining to it as soon as possible; which had been retarded through the sin of the golden calf, and making reconciliation for that: and said unto them, these are the words which the Lord hath commanded, that ye should do them; namely, the law of the sabbath, as it had a peculiar relation to the making of the tabernacle, and the freewill offerings to be made on that account; for as for the commands, or other ordinances, whether ceremonial or judicial, the people had been made acquainted with them before.
Open source ↗Preliminaries to the Work. - Ex 35:1-29. After the restoration of the covenant, Moses announced to the people the divine commands with reference to the holy place of the tabernacle which was to be built. He repeated first of all (Exo 35:1-3) the law of the Sabbath according to Exo 31:13-17, and strengthened it by the announcement, that on the Sabbath no fire was to be kindled in their dwelling, because this rule was to be observed even in connection with the work to be done for the tabernacle. (For a fuller comment, see at Exo 20:9.). Then, in accordance with the command of Jehovah, he first of all summoned the whole nation to present freewill-offerings for the holy things to be prepared (Exo 35:4, Exo 35:5), mentioning one by one all the materials that would be required (Exo 35:5-9, as in Exo 25:3-7); and after that he called upon those who were endowed with understanding to prepare the different articles, as prescribed in ch. 25-30, mentioning these also one by one (Exo 35:11-19), even down to the pegs of the dwelling and court (Exo 27:19), and "their cords," i.e., the cords required to fasten the tent and the hangings round the court to the pegs that were driven into the ground, which had not been mentioned before, being altogether subordinate things. (On the "cloths of service," Exo 35:19, see at Exo 31:10.) In Exo 35:20-29 we have an account of the fulfilment of this command. The people went from Moses, i.e., from the place where they were assembled round Moses, away to their tents, and willingly offered the things required as a heave-offering for Jehovah; every one "whom his heart lifted up," i.e., who felt himself inclined and stirred up in his heart to do this. The men along with (על as in Gen 32:12; see Ewald, 217) the women brought with a willing heart all kin…
Open source ↗It was said in general (Exo 34:32), Moses gave them in commandment all that the Lord has spoken with him. But, the erecting and furnishing of the tabernacle being the work to which they were now immediately to apply themselves, there is particular mention of the orders given concerning it. I. All the congregation is summoned to attend (Exo 35:1); that is, the heads and rulers of the congregation, the representatives of the several tribes, who must receive instructions from Moses as he had received them from the Lord, and must communicate them to the people. Thus John, being commanded to write to the seven churches what had been revealed to him, writes it to the angels, or ministers, of the churches. II. Moses gave them in charge all that (and that only) which God had commanded him; thus he approved himself faithful both to God and Israel, between whom he was a messenger or mediator. If he had added, altered, or diminished, he would have been false to both. But, both sides having reposed a trust in him, he was true to the trust; yet he was faithful as a servant only, but Christ as a Son, Heb 3:5, Heb 3:6. III. He begins with the law of the sabbath, because that was much insisted on in the instructions he had received (Exo 35:2, Exo 35:3): Six days shall work be done, work for the tabernacle, the work of the day that was now to be done in its day; and they had little else to do here in the wilderness, where they had neither husbandry nor merchandise, neither food to get nor clothes to make: but on the seventh day you must not strike a stroke, no, not at the tabernacle-work; the honour of the sabbath was above that of the sanctuary, more ancient and more lasting; that must be to you a holy day, devoted to God, and not be spent in common business. It is a sabbath of rest. I…
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver קָהַל (qâhal, H6950) — to convoke עֵדָה (ʻêdâh, H5712) — a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God צָוָה (tsâvâh, H6680) — (intensively) to constitute, enjoin עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Open source ↗שֵׁשׁ (shêsh, H8337) — six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ord. sixth יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… מְלָאכָה (mᵉlâʼkâh, H4399) — properly, deputyship, i.e. ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application שְׁבִיעִי (shᵉbîyʻîy, H7637) — seventh קֹדֶשׁ (qôdesh, H6944) — a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity שַׁבָּת (shabbâth, H7676) — intermission, i.e (specifically) the Sabbath שַׁבָּתוֹן (shabbâthôwn, H7677) — a sabbatism or special holiday יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
Open source ↗בָּעַר (bâʻar, H1197) — to kindle, i.e. consume (by fire or by eating); to be(-come) brutish אֵשׁ (ʼêsh, H784) — fire (literally or figuratively) מוֹשָׁב (môwshâb, H4186) — a seat; figuratively, a site; abstractly, a session; by extension an abode (the place or… שַׁבָּת (shabbâth, H7676) — intermission, i.e (specifically) the Sabbath יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to…
Open source ↗מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) עֵדָה (ʻêdâh, H5712) — a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God צָוָה (tsâvâh, H6680) — (intensively) to constitute, enjoin
Open source ↗לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) תְּרוּמָה (tᵉrûwmâh, H8641) — a present (as offered up), especially in sacrifice or as tribute יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God כֹּל (kôl, H3605) — properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a… נָדִיב (nâdîyb, H5081) — properly, voluntary, i.e. generous; hence, magnanimous; as noun, a grandee (sometimes a… לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) זָהָב (zâhâb, H2091) — gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky כֶּסֶף (keçeph, H3701) — silver (from its pale color); by implication, money נְחֹשֶׁת (nᵉchôsheth, H5178) — copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e. coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as…
Open source ↗תְּכֵלֶת (tᵉkêleth, H8504) — the cerulean mussel, i.e. the color (violet) obtained therefrom or stuff dyed therewith אַרְגָּמָן (ʼargâmân, H713) — purple (the color or the dyed stuff) שָׁנִי (shânîy, H8144) — crimson, properly, the insect or its color, also stuff dyed with it תּוֹלָע (tôwlâʻ, H8438) — the crimson-grub, but used only (in this connection) of the colorfrom it, and cloths dyed… שֵׁשׁ (shêsh, H8336) — bleached stuff, i.e. white linen or (by analogy) marble עֵז (ʻêz, H5795) — a she-goat (as strong), but masculine in plural (which also is used elliptically for…
Open source ↗אַיִל (ʼayil, H352) — properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically a chief (politically); also a… עוֹר (ʻôwr, H5785) — skin (as naked); by implication, hide, leather אָדַם (ʼâdam, H119) — flush or turn rosy תַּחַשׁ (tachash, H8476) — a (clean) animal with fur, probably a species of antelope שִׁטָּה (shiṭṭâh, H7848) — the acacia (from its scourging thorns) עֵץ (ʻêts, H6086) — a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
Open source ↗שֶׁמֶן (shemen, H8081) — grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness מָאוֹר (mâʼôwr, H3974) — properly, a luminous body or luminary, i.e. (abstractly) light (as an element);… בֶּשֶׂם (besem, H1314) — fragrance; by implication, spicery; also the balsam plant מִשְׁחָה (mishchâh, H4888) — unction (the act); by implication, a consecratory gift סַם (çam, H5561) — an aroma קְטֹרֶת (qᵉṭôreth, H7004) — a fumigation
Open source ↗שֹׁהַם (shôham, H7718) — a gem, probably the beryl (from its pale green color) אֶבֶן (ʼeben, H68) — a stone מִלֻּא (milluʼ, H4394) — a fulfilling (only in plural), i.e. (literally) a setting (of gems), or (technically)… אֵפוֹד (ʼêphôwd, H646) — a girdle; specifically the ephod or highpriest's shoulder-piece; also generally, an image חֹשֶׁן (chôshen, H2833) — perhaps a pocket (as holding the Urim and Thummim), or rich (as containing gems), used…
Open source ↗חָכָם (châkâm, H2450) — wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful) לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God צָוָה (tsâvâh, H6680) — (intensively) to constitute, enjoin
Open source ↗מִשְׁכָּן (mishkân, H4908) — a residence (including a shepherd's hut, the lair of animals, figuratively, the grave;… אֹהֶל (ʼôhel, H168) — a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance) מִכְסֶה (mikçeh, H4372) — a covering, i.e. weatherboarding קֶרֶס (qereç, H7165) — a knob or belaying-pin (from its swelling form) קֶרֶשׁ (qeresh, H7175) — a slab or plank; by implication, a deck of aship בְּרִיחַ (bᵉrîyach, H1280) — a bolt עַמּוּד (ʻammûwd, H5982) — a column (as standing); also a stand, i.e. platform אֶדֶן (ʼeden, H134) — a basis (of a building, a column, etc.)
Open source ↗אָרוֹן (ʼârôwn, H727) — a box בַּד (bad, H905) — properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of atree, bar… כַּפֹּרֶת (kappôreth, H3727) — a lid (used only of the cover of the sacred Ark) פֹּרֶכֶת (pôreketh, H6532) — a separatrix, i.e. (the sacred) screen מָסָךְ (mâçâk, H4539) — a cover, i.e. veil
Open source ↗שֻׁלְחָן (shulchân, H7979) — a table (as spread out); by implication, a meal בַּד (bad, H905) — properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of atree, bar… כְּלִי (kᵉlîy, H3627) — something prepared, i.e. any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… לֶחֶם (lechem, H3899) — food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
Open source ↗מְנוֹרָה (mᵉnôwrâh, H4501) — a chandelier מָאוֹר (mâʼôwr, H3974) — properly, a luminous body or luminary, i.e. (abstractly) light (as an element);… כְּלִי (kᵉlîy, H3627) — something prepared, i.e. any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon) נִיר (nîyr, H5216) — a lamp (i.e. the burner) or light (literally or figuratively) שֶׁמֶן (shemen, H8081) — grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness
Open source ↗Cross-references
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And after this all the Israelites came near, and Moses commanded them to do everything that the LORD had told him on Mount Sinai.
Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves.
For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but it is the doers of the law who will be declared righteous.