Exodus 35:4-12 sits inside this longer paragraph.
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.’ ”
Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv10, 12 Read Exod. 28:3.
Read Exod. 28:3.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv4–7 Exo 35:4 And Moses spake unto all the congregation…
Exo 35:4 And Moses spake unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, This [is] the thing which the LORD commanded, saying,
Ver. 4-7, &c. Much of this chapter is to be read in the twenty-fifth, and elsewhere. See the notes there.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv5, 10, 11, 12 Whosoever is of a willing heart, for God values…
Whosoever is of a willing heart, for God values not forced or grudged services, 2Co 9:7.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv4, 5, 10, 11, 12 And Moses spake unto all the congregation of the…
And Moses spake unto all the congregation of the children of Israel,.... Continued his speech to them, being convened by him, after by way of preface he had repeated the law of the sabbath, with an additional circumstance to it, "pro tempore":
saying, this is the thing which the Lord commanded; ordered Moses to inform them of as his will, when he was with him upon the mount the first time; but through their idolatry, and time spent in making up matters between God and them, he had not had till now an opportunity of acquainting them with it:
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saying; as follows.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12 Verse 5. An offering - A terumah or heave-offering;…
Verse 5. An offering - A terumah or heave-offering; see Le 7:1, etc. , Ex 35:6
See, on these metals and colours, Ex 25:3-4. &c.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv11–12 See Exo. 26:1-37. It has been already observed Exo…
See Exo. 26:1-37. It has been already observed Exo 25:10 that in the instructions for making the sanctuary, the ark of the covenant, as the principal thing belonging to it, is mentioned first; but in the practical order of the work, as it is here arranged, the tabernacle with its tent and covering come first.
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Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv5, 10, 11 THE OFFERINGS FOR THE SANCTUARY, Exo_35:4-29.
THE OFFERINGS FOR THE SANCTUARY, Exo_35:4-29.
5-9. An offering — See notes on Exo_25:2-7.
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The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12 4. This is the thing which Jehovah hath commanded.…
4. This is the thing which Jehovah hath commanded. See on Exo_16:16.
4–9. The people are invited to make voluntary offerings of the materials needed for the sanctuary. See Exo_25:2-7, from which the list of materials in vv. 6–9 is verbally repeated.
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Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv4, 10 (4-9) And Moses spake.—This passage is the sequence and…
THE PEOPLE INVITED TO OFFER THE MATERIALS OF THE TABERNACLE, AND TO ASSIST IN THE WORK.
(4-9) And Moses spake.—This passage is the sequence and counterpart of Exo_25:1-7, and follows exactly the same order in the enumeration of the required offerings. Both passages equally declare the sine quâ non of an acceptable offering to be “a willing heart” (Exo_25:2; Exo_35:5).
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The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv4, 5, 11, 12 Vers. 4-20. THE PEOPLE INVITED TO BRING GIFTS, AND…
Vers. 4-20. THE PEOPLE INVITED TO BRING GIFTS, AND ASSIST IN THE WORK OF THE TABERNACLE. Having warned the Israelites against breaches of the sabbath, Moses proceeded to enumerate the offerings which God had said that they might bring (vers. 4-9), and the works which he had required to be constructed (vers. 10-19). In the former enumeration, he follows exactly the order and wording of the Divine command to himself, as recorded in Exo_25:3-7; in the latter, he changes the order, mentioning first the building, with its component parts (ver. 11), then the contents of the building (vers. 12-15), then the court with its contents (vers. 16, 17) together with some details which had been omitted in the former account (ver. 18), and finally the holy garments (ver. 19). After hearing him, the people returned to their several tents (ver. 20).
HOMILIES BY J. ORR Ver. 4-36:8Gifts and workers.
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Learn from this section that the Lord"s work requires
I LIBERAL GIVERS. Almost everything needed for the sanctuary was provided by the free gifts of the people. What was required was readily forthcoming. The only exception to the voluntariness of the givings was the half-shekel of atonement money. (Exo_30:11-17 Exo_38:25, Exo_38:26) These givings, which may well be made the model of our own, were:
1. Willing one whose heart stirred him up, and whom his spiritmade willing" (ver. 21). The Lord "loveth a cheerful giver". (2Co_9:7)
2. According to ability. Each gave as he was able (vers. 23-29). Theprinces gave costly gifts. Others brought silver and brass. Others gave wood. Those who could not give anything else gave work (vers. 25, 26).
3. Universal. All classes gave. The princes, the people, young and old, men and women.
4. Overflowing. So zealous was the spirit of the people, and so abundantwere their gifts, that they had in the end to be restrained. (Exo_36:5-7) When will a like liberality be manifested in the cause of Christ? Liberal givings are needed. There is still much land to be possessed at home. Heathen lands are opening to the Gospel.
5. It sufficed for the work. (Exo_36:7) Thus would God teach us that it is his will that his work should be supported by the voluntary contributions of his people.
6. The giving was made an act of worship Every man that offered,offered an offering (lit. a wave-offering) of gold unto the Lord" (ver. 22). "Every one that did offer an offering of silver and brass brought the Lord"s offering" (ver. 24). This is the true spirit of religious giving. The humblest offering, thus presented, will not fail of acceptance. Cf. the widow with her two mites. (Mar_12:41-44)
II WILLING WORKERS. (Exo_36:1, Exo_36:2) The work, like the giving, was hearty. Those only were asked to engage in this work whose hearts stirred them up to do it. God desires no other kind of workers.
III DIVERSE GIFTS. These were needed for the different parts of the work. The man who made the "pin" (ver. 18) was as truly a worker in God"s service, as Bezaleel, who drew the plans. He had his own gift and use.
IV THE WISDOM OF THE SPIRIT. "He hath filled him with the spirit of God" (ver. 31). "Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart," etc. (ver. 35). J.O.
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The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary 1892 · Public Domain On v4 MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.—Exo_35:4-19
MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.—Exo_35:4-19
THE HOUSE OF THE LORD
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The instructions for the building and furniture of the Tabernacle were detailed in Exodus 25, &c. In this recapitulation, notice—
I. That the provision of the house of the Lord was obligatory. The command for worship, the time of worship, and the building for worship emanated from the same divine authority. Has, then, the obligation for the latter ceased? No! Christians should be cautious how they speak of the abolition of the Mosaic dispensation. Much of the terrible pest known as antinomianism is based on erroneous notions on this subject. True, as a dispensation it is abolished, inasmuch as we live under the dispensation of Christ. But many of the leading principles, provisions, and commands of the latter are based upon those of the former, and what has not, either by divine ordination or the necessities of the case been abrogated, is binding still. The law of our text—provision for public worship—has never been abolished, was sanctioned by Christ, practised by the Apostles, and has been recognised by the Church universal ever since. The command of our text is based—
1. Upon necessity.
(1.) The worship was a common worship, and therefore necessitated a place where people could meet together.
(2.) The worship was of perpetual obligation and frequent practice. Some provision must, therefore, be made against contingencies of weather, &c.
2. Upon utility. Private houses could not always be in a state of readiness, and must from their very nature lack those appliances without which order and decency would be impossible.
II. That the Lord’s house should be the result of the people’s free and generous will, Exo_35:5. The principle held as good then as now, “The Lord loveth a cheerful giver,” &c. The people were not taxed for it. No Church rate was levied. No hand was laid on national property. To wrest contributions from unwilling and grudging hands for God’s service, is to overthrow the principles on which such service is founded, and to offer what God cannot accept. Here, as afterwards, such as had “a mind to work” were invited to work; such as were inclined to give were encouraged to give. No compulsion was used. God wanted a house. Moses told the people so. The voluntary principle was called into play, and was on this its first appearance successful, as it has been ever since, as it will be as long as the work is left to the faith and love of those to whom the appeal is made (Psa_110:3).
III. That the Lord’s house was to be built and furnished intelligently, Exo_35:10. The Jews built their Tabernacle with distinct reference to the purposes for which it was to be used. The “wise hearted,” therefore, and not merely the wealthy and the tasteful, were in special request. The necessity for “wise heartedness,” in building and furnishing God’s house, has not vanished with the “shadowy dispensation.” Let Christian architects and Church officers bear this in mind. If our tabernacles are specially for the teaching of God’s word, they should be so constructed that the preacher should be seen and heard by all.
IV. That the Lord’s house was to be complete.
1. The building was to be complete. “His tent, covering, taches, boards, bars, pillars, sockets,” &c., &c., were all to be finished and in their place. No man thinks of moving into a house until the house is complete. Is, then, that which is not good enough for man, good enough for man’s Maker? Christian men! let not the infidel and the worldling say as they pass by our slovenly and unfinished buildings, “These men began to build a tower for their God and were not able to finish.” We can finish our temples of mammon, our temples of gaiety, our temples of learning: let us not leave unfinished the sanctuary of our God.
2. The accessories were to be complete. The inventory here is perfect, down to the very pins and sockets. It may be said that this belonged to the “ceremonial law.” Well, is the abolition of that law in its technical details a reason why “beggarly elements” should be introduced into the Christian Churches, and ministers hampered, congregations inconvenienced, and the work of God generally retarded for the want of needful arrangement. Let trustees of Churches see to it that everything in the pulpit, choir, pews, and vestry, that is requisite for the decent, edifying, comforting worship of God, is provided. And let vergers, chapel-keepers, pew-openers, see that everything is in its place before the minister and congregation arrive.
3. The funds were to be complete. When the Tabernacle was “opened” it was out of debt. Christians did not learn from Jews the habit of spending money for God which their children would have to provide. It is a scandal to men, who would under no circumstances allow men to call themselves their creditors, to make them God’s creditors. If a congregation is poor, let them be satisfied with a modest building till they are rich enough to provide a more magnificent structure.
V. That the Lord’s house should be beautiful (1Ch_16:29). It was only a tent, but it was the best tent in the whole camp. It was reared for the best purpose, the people therefore constructed it of the best materials they had, and on the best plans. True, it may be said that God is everywhere and may be worshipped anywhere. But everywhere is the temple God has erected for Himself, and has He not lavished magnificence and beauty on that temple? Look at its roof, its floor, its aisles! Let nature, then, be the model upon which churches should be constructed for the higher worship of the great Creator. And if the Jews thought it worth their while to make God’s house as splendid as their means would allow, let not Christians fall below their standard. There may be exceptions. The people may be poor. Churches may have to adapt themselves to circumstances. But let them be of the very best that can be afforded; and let those beware whose objection against the beauty of the Lord’s house is merely the selfish one, cost.
Remember—(i.) That God’s house is for His worship, not for lectures or theatrical displays. (ii.) That God’s house is for the preaching of His Word; (iii) and therefore, that God’s house demands our best efforts for its completion, and our reverent behaviour at its services.
—J. W. Burn.
ILLUSTRATIONS
BY
REV. WILLIAM ADAMSON
Moral Law! Exo_35:1-35.
(1.) The ceremonial law was like a scaffolding around a building which is being slowly and gradually raised. When the building is completed, the scaffolding is taken away. But the moral law is like the rafters, deep sunk in the building itself. These cannot be taken away without the ruin of the whole structure of revelation.
(2.) The ceremonial law is like the bright petals of a blossom, which drop off to make room for the fruit. But the moral law is like the stem, which upholds both blossom and fruit. For God is holy—God is good; and therefore the law of holiness and goodness must, like God, endure for ever.
“Thy God is good, His mercy nigh,
His love sustains thy tottering feet;
Trust Him, for His grace is sure,
Ever doth His Truth endure.”
—Zehn.
Nature’s-Tabernacle! Exo_35:4. Rightly considered, all nature is the tabernacle of God, constructed for His worship. The tabernacle of the wilderness has been called by an eminent writer a miniature model of the whole earth, just as he calls the people of Israel a miniature pattern of all nations. Every man has a part assigned to him in the erection and adorning of this wonderful tabernacle, whose floor is the green fields, whose walls are the rocks and mountains, and whose roof is the ever-changing sky. Every man who does a day’s work is a fellow-worker with God, in carrying out His great design in creation—in improving the face of nature—changing the wilderness into a garden, developing the latent resources and capabilities of the earth, converting its crude materials into shapes of beauty and forms of usefulness, in making the world fairer and richer, and better fitted to be the home of redeemed man, and the shrine of the Most High God. Therefore “Excelsior.”
“In happy homes he saw the light
Of household fires gleam warm and bright;
Above the spectral glaciers shone,
And from his lips escaped a moan—
‘Excelsior!’ ”
—Longfellow.
Love’s Service! Exo_35:5-19.
(1.) He was busy preparing the home. All his thoughts day after day were on its beauty and decoration. And as the work advanced towards completion; as the rooms became richly yet chastely adorned in floor, and ceiling, and wall; as the garden parterres assumed an orderly and blooming appearance, he spent hours in wandering from room to room, and terrace to terrace, thinking—of what?—of whom! Of her whom he loved—on whom he had lavished his fondest affections, and for whose residence in that house he had been so busily occupied in preparation. He regretted none of these costly offerings at “Love’s Shrine.”
(2.) God bad condescended to be Israel’s God. He had promised to come and dwell with them. And they were building Him a house wherein to reside. Some there might be who grudged the costly beauties of the tabernacle, but most of the pious in Israel, who loved God with all their heart, would delight in making sacrifices for Him whom they loved. And as the home grew more and more ready for His Divine indwelling, how that love would fill their spirits with bright prospects of sweet fellowship and loving communion with Him when the house of God was ready. So the fabric of our soul’s holiness is being daily upreared and adorned for the Apocalyptic consummation.
“The mansion of creation’s Architect;
The palace of the Everlasting King;
Its gates of pearl, its edifice of gold;
Its very streets of pure crystalline gold.”
—Bickersteth.
Midianite-Mines! Exo_35:5. The Old Testament allusions to gold, silver, and other valuable metals, derive new interest from Captain Burton’s researches in Midian during the last six months. He has returned from his first expedition with twenty-five tons of specimens—including torquoise, alabaster, and sulphur. He also brought for the Egyptian Khedive, Midianite coins, inscriptions, fragments of glass and pottery; as well as a variety of relics from the thirty-two ruined cities which still exist in the land. He found evidences of ancient mining operations everywhere, traces of gold to an important amount, quartz threaded with veins of silver. Everywhere were evidences of great operations anciently conducted by practised miners—probably slaves—under skilled engineers. The stones
“Of purest crystal are from gloomiest mines,
The tenderest pearls are won from roughest seas.”
Religion-Sphere! Exo_35:6-11. The Levitical economy teaches that the whole life is one, that true religion is the proper use of man’s whole being, and that it is not a thing merely of the Sunday and the sanctuary. By our Lord’s life on earth He imparted to the whole earth a heavenly character—made every spot of common ground an altar, every common mean a sacrament, every action of daily life a worship. Religion has its place in everything; even in our daily labours which we pursue. The inspiration of Aholiab in his trade shows the true design and meaning of work. Macmillan remarks, that natural, as well as spiritual talents, are the good gifts of God, that the right use of the powers of the artist, the musician, the poet, the artisan, the mechanic, the day labourer, is due to the inspiration of the Spirit.
“ ‘O dreary life!’ we cry, ‘O dreary life!’
And still the generations of the birds
Sing through our sighing, and the flocks and herds
Serenely live, while we are keeping strife
With Heaven’s true purpose in us, as a knife
Against which we may struggle!”
Stone-Stability! Exo_35:9.
(1.) Gems are steadfast and enduring. They are not composed of perishable materials—not even of rocks that wither and crumble away; but of that which endures. Jewels, as a class, are the most lasting of all earthly objects, the most beautiful, as well as the most imperishable, form in which matter appears. Gold will wear away, silver will tarnish, and wood will decay. The granite stone itself will disintegrate. But jewels will continue unchanged for thousands of years. They are, therefore, expressive types of stability and permanence.
(2.) Gospel truths have this virtue. They are no vague hopes, or shadowy dreams; but solid substantial realities, more enduring than the everlasting hills themselves. They are truths which will last when the heavens shall be rolled up like a scroll and vanish away. They will come out of the last dread conflagration, when the earth and all therein shall be burnt up, all the purer, clearer, and more enduring for the fiery ordeal. Were Gospel truths destitute of this stability, they might retain their literary brilliancy, but they would lose their saving and consoling potency. It enabled Paul to say, “I know in whom I have believed.”
“The earth shall pass away,
The stars shall fall,
The heavens roll together
Like a parchment scroll;
But TRUTH shall live for ever,
And through endless ages give
Her blessings to the sainted,
And fail them never, never.”
Tabernacle-Furniture! Exo_35:10-14. Amongst the existing memorials of ancient Rome is the triumphal Arch of Titus, reared to commemorate the capture of Jerusalem by that famous general. It represents in its basreliefs the golden candlestick, the table of shewbread, and other sacred articles which formed part of the spoils of the temple. These trophies were borne conspicuously in the triumphal procession with which Titus and his army were honoured on their return to Rome. The sculptures on the arch represent the procession, the figure of the candlestick being the most prominent of the sacred symbols.
“Their glory faded, and their race dispersed,
The last of nations now, though once the first,
They warn and teach the proudest, would they learn,
‘Keep Wisdom, or meet vengeance in your turn.’ ”
—Cowper.
Divine Delectation! Exo_35:10, &c. In the Canticles of Solomon we are told that He feedeth among the lilies.
(1.) Material! The Creator, it has been well observed by Macmillan, receives enjoyment from the beauties of creation. We are told authoritatively that He takes pleasure in the works of His hands; that for His pleasure they are and were created. Those countless objects of wonderful loveliness, in situations where no eye but His own can behold them, are sources of Divine delectation. Such are the wild flowers in pathless deserts, and on inaccessible mountain peaks.
(2.) Moral!, As the artist delights in exercising his talent in depicting the landscape—as the architect finds pleasure in exerting his skill in uprearing the gorgeous minster: so God not only delights in the scenes and objects of nature, in the formation of which He has exercised His divine wisdom and power, but also in the “beauties of holiness,” designed and upreared by His grace. In this respect God desired and delighted to see the Wilderness Tabernacle beautiful and glorious—as the emblem of the Church and Christian “comely with the come liness” which He has put on them.
“To-day I saw a dragon-fly
Come from the wells where he did lie,
An inner impulse rent the vail
Of his old husk; from head to tail
Came out clear plates of sapphire mail.
He dried his wings; like gauze they grew;
Through crofts and pastures wet with dew,
A living flash of life he flew.”
—Vernon.
The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary (gen. ed. Joseph S. Exell; Funk & Wagnalls, c. 1892) — public domain (pre-1929). A full-Bible homiletical/sermon-outline anthology covering 65 of 66 books (2 John is absent from the source module). Text from a community e-Sword module.
J. R. Dummelow 1909 · Public Domain On v4 An Account of the Construction of the Tabernacle and…
An Account of the Construction of the Tabernacle and its Furniture
This section is an almost verbal repetition of Exodus 25-31, describing the carrying out of the commands in those chapters by Moses and the people.
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4-29. Moses invites the people to contribute the materials required, which they do with great liberality: cp. Exo_36:5-7. See on Exo_25:1-9.
22. Tablets] RV 'armlets,' or 'necklaces': cp. Num_31:50.
23. Red skins of rams] i.e. leather of rams' skins dyed red, as in Exo_26:14.
30-35. See on Exo_31:1-11
J. R. Dummelow, A Commentary on the Holy Bible (Macmillan, 1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
C. I. Scofield 1917 · Public Domain On v7 i.e. acacia.
shittim
i.e. acacia.
The Scofield Reference Bible (1917 edition), notes by C. I. Scofield — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv4, 10 General Information:
General Information:
Moses tells the Israelites to make the things Yahweh commanded him in Exodus 25:3-7.
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Take an offering for Yahweh
"Take up a collection for Yahweh"
all of you who have a willing heart
Here "heart" refers to the person bringing the offering. AT: "everyone who is willing" (See: Synecdoche)
translationWords
sacrifice
heart
gold
silver
bronze
goat
ewe
acacia
oil
sanctuary
lamp
anoint
incense
ephod
breastplate
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v4 35:1–40:38 Much of the report of the building of…
35:1–40:38 Much of the report of the building of the Tabernacle reiterates what was said in 25:1–31:18. There is a change from the imperative mood to the indicative, and there are certain changes in the order. This repetition underlines the point that the work was done exactly as God had commanded (see 40:16). The people had tried to secure God’s presence in their own way with the gold calf, and the result was disaster. Now they were doing it in God’s way, resulting in blessing (40:34-38).
35:4–36:7 Unlike the creation of the gold calf, where Aaron demanded that one type of material (earrings) be given (see study note on 32:2-4), the people were again invited to bring a variety of gifts (35:4-9) as their hearts were stirred and their spirits were moved (35:21). Perhaps because the variety of gifts meant that everyone could bring something and because the giving was voluntary, the people gave too much and had to be commanded to stop (36:4-7).
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