Exodus 36
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Then wrought, etc. - The first verse of this chapter should end the preceding chapter, and this should begin with verse the second; as it now stands, it does not make a very consistent sense. By reading the first word ועשה veasah, then wrought, in the future tense instead of the past, the proper connection will be preserved: for all grammarians know that the conjunction ו vau is often conversive, i.e., it turns the preterite tense of those verbs to which it is prefixed into the future, and the future into the preterite: this power it evidently has here; and joined with the last verse of the preceding chapter the connection will appear thus, Exo 36:30-35, etc.: The Lord hath called by name Bezaleel and Aholiab; them hath he filled with wisdom of heart to work all manner of work. Exo 36:1 : And Bezaleel and Aholiab Shall Work, and every wise-hearted man, in whom the Lord put wisdom.
Open source ↗OFFERINGS DELIVERED TO THE WORKMEN. (Exo. 36:1-38) Then wrought Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise-hearted man, &c.--Here is an illustrious example of zeal and activity in the work of the Lord. No unnecessary delay was allowed to take place; and from the moment the first pole was stuck in the ground till the final completion of the sacred edifice, he and his associates labored with all the energies both of mind and body engaged in the work. And what was the mainspring of their arduous and untiring diligence? They could be actuated by none of the ordinary motives that give impulse to human industry, by no desire for the acquisition of gain; no ambition for honor; no view of gratifying a mere love of power in directing the labors of a large body of men. They felt the stimulus--the strong irresistible impulse of higher and holier motives--obedience to the authority, zeal for the glory, and love to the service of God.
Open source ↗Then wrought Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man,.... Or every ingenious artificer under them: when they began to work is not precisely said, but it is very probable they set about it directly, as soon as they were furnished with materials for it, nor is it said where they wrought; it is very likely there was a particular place, where they were ranged according to their respective manufactories, and where they did their work under the inspection, and by the direction of these two men: in whom the Lord put wisdom and understanding, to know how to work all manner of work, for the service of the sanctuary, according to all that the Lord had commanded; for as all the wisdom and understanding, which Bezaleel and Aholiab had for the building of the tabernacle, and making everything appertaining to it, and for instructing others to do the same, were from the Lord; so all the wisdom, understanding, and capacity in the artificers to learn of them, and work according to their directions, were also from him; who in a very extraordinary manner enlarged their faculties, and increased their natural abilities, to take in what was suggested to them, and perform their work exactly agreeable thereunto.
Open source ↗Moses then summoned the master-builders named, and all who were skilled in art, "every one whom his heart lifted up to come near to the work to do it" (i.e., who felt himself stirred up in heart to take part in the work), and handed over to them the heaven-offering presented by the people for that purpose, whilst the children of Israel still continued bringing freewill-offerings every morning.
Open source ↗I. The workmen set in without delay. Then they wrought, Exo 36:1. When God had qualified them for the work, then they applied themselves to it. Note, The talents we are entrusted with must not be laid up, but laid out; not hid in a napkin, but traded with. What have we all our gifts for, but to do good with them? They began when Moses called them, Exo 36:2. Even those whom God has qualified for, and inclined to, the service of the tabernacle, yet must wait for a regular call to it, either extraordinary, as that of prophets and apostles, or ordinary, as that of pastors and teachers. And observe who they were that Moses called: Those in whose heart God had put wisdom for this purpose, beyond their natural capacity, and whose heart stirred them up to come to the work in good earnest. Note, Those are to be called to the building of the gospel tabernacle whom God has by his grace made in some measure fit for the work and free to engage in it. Ability and willingness (with resolution) are the two things to be regarded in the call of ministers. Has God given them not only knowledge, but wisdom? (for those that would win souls must be wise, and have their hearts stirred up to come to the work, and not to the honour only; to do it, and not to talk of it only), let them come to it with full purpose of heart to go through with it. The materials which the people had contributed were delivered by Moses to the workmen, Exo 36:3. They could not create a tabernacle, that is, make it out of nothing, nor work, unless they had something to work upon; the people therefore brought the materials and Moses put them into their hands. Precious souls are the materials of the gospel tabernacle; they are built up a spiritual house, Pe1 2:5. To this end they are to offer themselves a free-will offe…
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application בְּצַלְאֵל (Bᵉtsalʼêl, H1212) — Betsalel, the name of two Israelites אׇהֳלִיאָב (ʼOhŏlîyʼâb, H171) — Oholiab, an Israelite 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… אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… הֵם (hêm, H1992) — they (only used when emphatic) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) חׇכְמָה (chokmâh, H2451) — wisdom (in a good sense) תָּבוּן (tâbûwn, H8394) — intelligence; by implication, an argument; by extension, caprice יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… מְלָאכָה (mᵉlâʼkâh, H4399) — properly, deputyship, i.e. ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work… עֲבֹדָה (ʻăbôdâh, H5656) — work of any kind
Open source ↗מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… בְּצַלְאֵל (Bᵉtsalʼêl, H1212) — Betsalel, the name of two Israelites אׇהֳלִיאָב (ʼOhŏlîyʼâb, H171) — Oholiab, an Israelite 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… אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) חׇכְמָה (chokmâh, H2451) — wisdom (in a good sense) נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative קָרַב (qârab, H7126) — to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose 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
Open source ↗לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver תְּרוּמָה (tᵉrûwmâh, H8641) — a present (as offered up), especially in sacrifice or as tribute 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 בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) מְלָאכָה (mᵉlâʼkâh, H4399) — properly, deputyship, i.e. ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work… עֲבֹדָה (ʻăbôdâh, H5656) — work of any kind קֹדֶשׁ (qôdesh, H6944) — a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application נְדָבָה (nᵉdâbâh, H5071) — properly (abstractly) spontaneity, or (adjectively) spontaneous; also (concretely) a… בֹּקֶר (bôqer, H1242) — properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning
Open source ↗חָכָם (châkâm, H2450) — wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful) עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application מְלָאכָה (mᵉlâʼkâh, H4399) — properly, deputyship, i.e. ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work… קֹדֶשׁ (qôdesh, H6944) — a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term…
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) רָבָה (râbâh, H7235) — to increase (in whatever respect) דַּי (day, H1767) — enough (as noun or adverb), used chiefly with preposition in phrases עֲבֹדָה (ʻăbôdâh, H5656) — work of any kind מְלָאכָה (mᵉlâʼkâh, H4399) — properly, deputyship, i.e. ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work… 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 ↗מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver צָוָה (tsâvâh, H6680) — (intensively) to constitute, enjoin קוֹל (qôwl, H6963) — a voice or sound עָבַר (ʻâbar, H5674) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive,… מַחֲנֶה (machăneh, H4264) — an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application מְלָאכָה (mᵉlâʼkâh, H4399) — properly, deputyship, i.e. ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work… תְּרוּמָה (tᵉrûwmâh, H8641) — a present (as offered up), especially in sacrifice or as tribute קֹדֶשׁ (qôdesh, H6944) — a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… כָּלָא (kâlâʼ, H3607) — to restrict, by act (hold back or in) or word (prohibit)
Open source ↗מְלָאכָה (mᵉlâʼkâh, H4399) — properly, deputyship, i.e. ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work… דַּי (day, H1767) — enough (as noun or adverb), used chiefly with preposition in phrases עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application יָתַר (yâthar, H3498) — to jut over or exceed; by implication, to excel; (intransitively) to remain or be left;…
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… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application מְלָאכָה (mᵉlâʼkâh, H4399) — properly, deputyship, i.e. ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work… מִשְׁכָּן (mishkân, H4908) — a residence (including a shepherd's hut, the lair of animals, figuratively, the grave;… עֶשֶׂר (ʻeser, H6235) — ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits) יְרִיעָה (yᵉrîyʻâh, H3407) — a hanging (as tremulous) שָׁזַר (shâzar, H7806) — to twist (a thread of straw) שֵׁשׁ (shêsh, H8336) — bleached stuff, i.e. white linen or (by analogy) marble 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… כְּרוּב (kᵉrûwb, H3742) — a cherub or imaginary figure
Open source ↗אֹרֶךְ (ʼôrek, H753) — length אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first יְרִיעָה (yᵉrîyʻâh, H3407) — a hanging (as tremulous) עֶשְׂרִים (ʻesrîym, H6242) — twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth שְׁמֹנֶה (shᵉmôneh, H8083) — a cardinal number, eight (as if a surplus above the 'perfect' seven); also (as ordinal)… אַמָּה (ʼammâh, H520) — properly, a mother (i.e. unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e. a… רֹחַב (rôchab, H7341) — width (literally or figuratively) אַרְבַּע (ʼarbaʻ, H702) — four מִדָּה (middâh, H4060) — properly, extension, i.e. height or breadth; also a measure (including its standard);…
Open source ↗חָבַר (châbar, H2266) — to join (literally or figuratively); specifically (by means of spells) to fascinate חָמֵשׁ (châmêsh, H2568) — five יְרִיעָה (yᵉrîyʻâh, H3407) — a hanging (as tremulous) אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first
Open source ↗עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application לֻלָאָה (lulâʼâh, H3924) — a loop תְּכֵלֶת (tᵉkêleth, H8504) — the cerulean mussel, i.e. the color (violet) obtained therefrom or stuff dyed therewith שָׂפָה (sâphâh, H8193) — the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a… אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first יְרִיעָה (yᵉrîyʻâh, H3407) — a hanging (as tremulous) קָצָה (qâtsâh, H7098) — a termination מַחְבֶּרֶת (machbereth, H4225) — a junction, i.e. seam or sewed piece קִיצוֹן (qîytsôwn, H7020) — terminal שֵׁנִי (shênîy, H8145) — properly, double, i.e. second; also adverbially, again
Open source ↗חֲמִשִּׁים (chămishshîym, H2572) — fifty לֻלָאָה (lulâʼâh, H3924) — a loop עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first יְרִיעָה (yᵉrîyʻâh, H3407) — a hanging (as tremulous) קָצֶה (qâtseh, H7097) — an extremity מַחְבֶּרֶת (machbereth, H4225) — a junction, i.e. seam or sewed piece שֵׁנִי (shênîy, H8145) — properly, double, i.e. second; also adverbially, again קָבַל (qâbal, H6901) — to admit, i.e. take (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application חֲמִשִּׁים (chămishshîym, H2572) — fifty קֶרֶס (qereç, H7165) — a knob or belaying-pin (from its swelling form) זָהָב (zâhâb, H2091) — gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky חָבַר (châbar, H2266) — to join (literally or figuratively); specifically (by means of spells) to fascinate יְרִיעָה (yᵉrîyʻâh, H3407) — a hanging (as tremulous) אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first מִשְׁכָּן (mishkân, H4908) — a residence (including a shepherd's hut, the lair of animals, figuratively, the grave;…
Open source ↗עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application יְרִיעָה (yᵉrîyʻâh, H3407) — a hanging (as tremulous) עֵז (ʻêz, H5795) — a she-goat (as strong), but masculine in plural (which also is used elliptically for… אֹהֶל (ʼôhel, H168) — a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance) מִשְׁכָּן (mishkân, H4908) — a residence (including a shepherd's hut, the lair of animals, figuratively, the grave;… עַשְׁתֵּי (ʻashtêy, H6249) — eleven or (ordinal) eleventh עָשָׂר (ʻâsâr, H6240) — ten (only in combination), i.e. -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth
Open source ↗Cross-references
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You are to instruct all the skilled craftsmen, whom I have filled with a spirit of wisdom, to make garments for Aaron’s consecration, so that he may serve Me as priest.
And they are to make a sanctuary for Me, so that I may dwell among them.
Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and decrees of the Lord.
and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Then I would not be ashamed when I consider all Your commandments.
and who ministers in the sanctuary and true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by man.
But he did not give any to the Kohathites, since they were to carry on their shoulders the holy objects for which they were responsible.