Bible Commentary

Exodus 35:21-29

The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 35:21-29

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

EXPOSITION

THE ZEAL OF THE PEOPLE IN OFFERING. Moses dismissed the people; but they soon began to return, bringing their offerings with them. There was a general, if not a universal, willingness Men and women alike "brought bracelets (brooches?), and earrings, and rings, and armlets—all articles of gold," and offered them to the Lord (). Others brought blue and purple and scalier and fine linen, and goats' hair and rams' skins dyed red, and badger (or rather, seal) skins (). Silver and bronze and shittimwood were contributed by others (). The women, who were the only spinners, brought their spun yarn of blue and purple and scarlet and fine linen, and their yarn of goats' hair (, ); while the richest class of all—"the rulers"—gave, as their contribution, the onyx stones for the ephod, the jewels for the high-priest's breastplate, and the oil needed for the light, together with rare spices for the anointing ointment and the incense (, ). Subsequently, we are told that what was contributed was "much more than enough" (), and that the people had to be "restrained from bringing" ().

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commentaryMatthew Henry on Exodus 35:20-29Without a willing mind, costly offerings would be abhorred; with it, the smallest will be accepted. Our hearts are willing, when we cheerfully assist in promoting the cause of God. Those who are diligent and contented i…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Contributions for the Tabernacle. (b. c. 1491.)THE CONTRIBUTIONS FOR THE TABERNACLE. (B. C. 1491.) Moses having made known to them the will of God, they went home and immediately put in practice what they had heard, Exodus 35:20. O that every congregation would thus…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 35:21The Lord's offering—i.e; "their offering to Jehovah." For all his service. The use of "his" for "its" causes an unfortunate ambiguity here. The antecedent to the pronoun is not the Lord, but the tabernacle.Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 35:21-29Zeal in offering. Appeals are made to men, in all parts of the world, and in all ages, for material contributions towards the erection of structures in which God is to be worshipped. The spirit in which such appeals are…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 35:22They came, both men and women. That among the Hebrews gold ornaments were worn by men, as well as by women, is indicated by Exodus 3:22, and Exodus 32:2. The Egyptian men at the time of the Exodus wore armlets, bracelet…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 35:23Red skins of rams. The words are the same as those translated "rams' skins dyed red" in Exodus 25:5. The earlier rendering is the better one. Badger skins. Rather, "seal skins." See the comment on Exodus 25:5.Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 35:24Every one that did offer an offering of silver. It would seem that silver was offered by some in the way of a free-will offering, in addition to the compulsory half-shekel (Exodus 30:12-16). Curiously, however, the amou…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 35:25All the women that were wise-hearted—i.e; "skilful." See the comment on Exodus 28:3. Brought that which they had spun, both of blue, etc. The flax itself was dyed, so that the thread produced was already coloured. Of fi…Joseph S. Exell and contributors