5 And said to Moses, The people are giving much more than is needed for the work which the Lord has given us orders to do.
How while they were undergoing every sort of trouble, and were in the greatest need, they took all the greater joy in being able to give freely to the needs of others. For I give them witness, that as they were able, and even more than they were able, they gave from the impulse of their hearts,
And the children of Israel and Judah, who were living in the towns of Judah came with the tenth part of their oxen and sheep, and a tenth of all the holy things which were to be given to the Lord their God, and put them in great masses. The first store of things was put down in the third month, and in the seventh month the masses were complete. And when Hezekiah and the rulers came and saw all the store of goods, they gave praise to the Lord and to his people Israel. Then Hezekiah put questions to the priests and Levites about the store of goods. And Azariah, the chief priest, of the family of Zadok, said in answer, From the time when the people first came with their offerings into the house of the Lord, we have had food enough, and more than enough: for the blessing of the Lord is on his people; and there is this great store which has not been used.
Not that I am looking for an offering, but for fruit which may be put to your credit. I have all things and more than enough: I am made full, having had from Epaphroditus the things which came from you, a perfume of a sweet smell, an offering well pleasing to God.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Keil & Delitzsch Commentary » Commentary on Exodus 36
Commentary on Exodus 36 Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
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.
Then the wise workmen came, every one from his work that they were making, and said to Moses, “ Much make the people to bring, more than suffices for the labour (the finishing, as in Exodus 27:19) of the work, ” i.e., they are bringing more than will be wanted for carrying out the work (the מן in מדּי is comparative); whereupon Moses let the cry go through the camp, i.e., had proclamation made, “No one is to make any more property ( מלאכה as in Exodus 22:7, Exodus 22:10, cf. Genesis 33:14) for a holy heave-offering,” i.e., to prepare anything more from his own property to offer for the building of the sanctuary; and with this he put a stop to any further offerings.
“ And there was enough ( דּיּם their sufficiency, i.e., the requisite supply for the different things to be made) of the property for every work to make it, and over ” (lit., and to leave some over). By this liberal contribution of freewill gifts, for the work commanded by the Lord, the people proved their willingness to uphold their covenant relationship with Jehovah their God.
Ex 36:8-38:20. Execution of the Work. - Preparation of the dwelling-place: viz., the hangings and covering (Exodus 36:8-19, as in Exodus 26:1-14); the wooden boards and bolts (Exodus 36:20-34, as in Ex 26:15-30); the two curtains, with the pillars, hooks, and rods that supported them (Exodus 36:35-38, as in Exodus 26:31-37). As these have all been already explained, the only thing remaining to be noticed here is, that the verbs עשׂה in Exodus 36:8, ויחבּר in Exodus 36:10, etc., are in the third person singular with an indefinite subject, corresponding to the German man (the French on ).