28 And spice, H1314 and oil H8081 for the light, H3974 and for the anointing H4888 oil, H8081 and for the sweet H5561 incense. H7004
Take H3947 thou also unto thee principal H7218 spices, H1314 of pure H1865 myrrh H4753 five H2568 hundred H3967 shekels, and of sweet H1314 cinnamon H7076 half H4276 so much, H4276 even two hundred H3967 and fifty H2572 shekels, and of sweet H1314 calamus H7070 two hundred H3967 and fifty H2572 shekels, And of cassia H6916 five H2568 hundred H3967 shekels, after the shekel H8255 of the sanctuary, H6944 and of oil H8081 olive H2132 an hin: H1969 And thou shalt make H6213 it an oil H8081 of holy H6944 ointment, H4888 an ointment H7545 compound H4842 after the art H4639 of the apothecary: H7543 it shall be an holy H6944 anointing H4888 oil. H8081 And thou shalt anoint H4886 the tabernacle H168 of the congregation H4150 therewith, and the ark H727 of the testimony, H5715 And the table H7979 and all his vessels, H3627 and the candlestick H4501 and his vessels, H3627 and the altar H4196 of incense, H7004 And the altar H4196 of burnt offering H5930 with all his vessels, H3627 and the laver H3595 and his foot. H3653 And thou shalt sanctify H6942 them, that they may be most H6944 holy: H6944 whatsoever toucheth H5060 them shall be holy. H6942 And thou shalt anoint H4886 Aaron H175 and his sons, H1121 and consecrate H6942 them, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office. H3547 And thou shalt speak H1696 unto the children H1121 of Israel, H3478 saying, H559 This shall be an holy H6944 anointing H4888 oil H8081 unto me throughout your generations. H1755 Upon man's H120 flesh H1320 shall it not be poured, H3251 neither shall ye make H6213 any other like it, after the composition H4971 of it: it is holy, H6944 and it shall be holy H6944 unto you. Whosoever H834 H376 compoundeth H7543 any like it, or whosoever putteth H5414 any of it upon a stranger, H2114 shall even be cut H3772 off from his people. H5971 And the LORD H3068 said H559 unto Moses, H4872 Take H3947 unto thee sweet spices, H5561 stacte, H5198 and onycha, H7827 and galbanum; H2464 these sweet H5561 spices H5561 with pure H2134 frankincense: H3828 of each H905 shall there be a like H905 weight: And thou shalt make H6213 it a perfume, H7004 a confection H7545 after the art H4639 of the apothecary, H7543 tempered H4414 together, pure H2889 and holy: H6944 And thou shalt beat H7833 some of it very small, H1854 and put H5414 of it before H6440 the testimony H5715 in the tabernacle H168 of the congregation, H4150 where I will meet H3259 with thee: it shall be unto you most H6944 holy. H6944 And as for the perfume H7004 which thou shalt make, H6213 ye shall not make H6213 to yourselves according to the composition H4971 thereof: it shall be unto thee holy H6944 for the LORD. H3068 Whosoever H834 H376 shall make H6213 like unto that, to smell H7306 thereto, shall even be cut off H3772 from his people. H5971
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Exodus 35
Commentary on Exodus 35 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 35
Ex 35:1-35. Contributions to the Tabernacle.
1. 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 [Ex 35:11-19]. (See on Ex 25:1-40; Ex 27:1-21; Ex 30:1-31:18).
20, 21. all the congregation of Israel departed from the presence of Moses—No exciting harangues were made, nor had the people Bibles at home in which they could compare the requirements of their leader and see if these things were so. But they had no doubt as to his bearing to them the will of God, and they were impressed with so strong a sense of its being their duty, that they made a spontaneous offer of the best and most valuable treasures they possessed.
21. they came, every one whose heart stirred him up—One powerful element doubtless of this extraordinary open-hearted liberality was the remembrance of their recent transgression, which made them "zealous of good works" (compare 2Co 7:11). But along with this motive, there were others of a higher and nobler kind—a principle of love to God and devotedness to His service, an anxious desire to secure the benefit of His presence, and gratitude for the tokens of His divine favor: it was under the combined influence of these considerations that the people were so willing and ready to pour their contributions into that exchequer of the sanctuary.
every one whom his spirit made willing—Human nature is always the same, and it is implied that while an extraordinary spirit of pious liberality reigned in the bosoms of the people at large, there were exceptions—some who were too fond of the world, who loved their possessions more than their God, and who could not part with these; no, not for the service of the tabernacle.
22. they came, both men and women, &c.—literally, "the men over and above the women"; a phraseology which implies that the women acted a prominent part, presented their offerings first, and then were followed by as many of their male companions as were similarly disposed.
brought bracelets, &c.—There was in that early age no money in the form of coins or bullion. What money passed current with the merchant consisted of rings which were weighed, and principally of ornaments for personal decoration. Astonishment at the abundance of their ornaments is at an end when we learn that costly and elegant ornaments abounded in proportion as clothing was simple and scarce among the Egyptians, and some, entirely divested of clothing, yet wore rich necklaces [Hengstenberg]. Among people with Oriental sentiments and tastes, scarcely any stronger proof could have been given of the power of religion than their willingness not only to lay aside, but to devote those much-valued trinkets to the house of God; and thus all, like the Eastern sages, laid the best they had at the service of God.
30. See, the Lord hath called by name Bezaleel, the son of Uri, &c.—Moses had made this communication before [see Ex 31:2-5; also see on Ex 31:2]. But now that the collection had been made, the materials were contributed, and the operations of building about to be commenced, it was with the greatest propriety he reminded the people that the individuals entrusted with the application of their gold and silver had been nominated to the work by authority to which all would bow.
35. Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart—A statement which not only testifies that skill in art and science is a direct gift from God, but that weaving was especially the business of men in Egypt (see Ex 38:22; 39:22, 27). And in perfect harmony with the testimony of the monuments is the account given by Moses to the artists who were divinely taught the arts necessary for the embellishment of the tabernacle. Others, whose limited means did not admit of these expensive contributions, offered their gratuitous services in fabricating such articles of tapestry as were needed; arts which the Israelitish females learned as bondwomen, in the houses of Egyptian princes.