Exodus 35:10

35:4-19 The tabernacle was to be dedicated to the honour of God, and used in his service; and therefore what was brought for it, was an offering to the Lord. The rule is, Whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring. All that were skilful must work. God dispenses his gifts; and as every man hath received, so he must minister, 1Pe 4:10. Those that were rich, must bring in materials to work on; those that were skilful, must serve the tabernacle with their skill: as they needed one another, so the tabernacle needed them both, 1Co 12:7-21.

And every wise hearted among you shall come,.... Every ingenious man, that is skilful in any mechanic art and business, who has a peculiar turn of mind, and employs his thoughts to improve, in a curious manner, in whatsoever manufactory he is concerned, every such an one is invited by Moses to come to him: and make all the Lord hath commanded, the particulars of which follow.

(10-19) And every wise hearted among you. —The first appeal is to all; all may contribute something towards the materials of the sacred structure. But the second appeal is to some only. The “wise-hearted” alone can take part in the actual construction, and “make all that the Lord hath commanded.” On the expression “wise – hearted,” see Note on Exodus 28:3 . It includes skill of various kinds and degrees, even that of poor women, who “did spin with their hands, and brought that which they had spun, both of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine linen” ( Exodus 35:25 ). In enumerating the things to be constructed, Moses follows, not the order of the revelations made to him, but what may be called the natural order: first, the Tabernacle as a whole; then its various parts ( Exodus 35:11 ); after this, its contents—those of the Holy of Holies ( Exodus 35:12 ), of the Holy Place ( Exodus 35:13-15 ), and of the Court ( Exodus 35:16-18 ); finally, the dress to be worn by those who conducted the services ( Exodus 35:19 ).

On the Tabernacle and its parts, see Exodus 26:1-37 ; on the Ark, the staves, and the mercy-seat, Exodus 25:10-15 ; on the “veil of the covering,” Exodus 26:31 ; on the table and the candlestick, Exodus 25:23-30 ; on the incense altar, Exodus 30:1-10 ; on the anointing oil, Exodus 30:23-25 ; on the sweet incense, Exodus 30:34-35 ; on the hanging for the door, Exodus 26:36 ; on the altar of burnt offering, Exodus 27:1-8 ; on the laver and its foot, Exodus 30:17-21 ; on the hangings of the Court, its pillars, sockets, pins, &c. , Exodus 27:9-19 ; and on “the cloths of service,” Exodus 28:2-42 . (On the true meaning of the expression, “cloths of service,” see Note on Exodus 31:10 .)

10 . wise hearted ] i.e. skilled : see on Exodus 28:3 . 10–19 . All skilled workmen among the people invited to assist in the task of making the objects prescribed. There is nothing in chs. 25–31 corresponding to this invitation: Exodus 28:3 relates to the priestly vestments alone. The enumeration of things to be made begins with the Dwelling, and then proceeds in order from the Holy of holies to the Court, ending with the vestments for the priests. Exodus 35:10

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 [29]Ex 25:1-40; [30]Ex 27:1-21; [31]Ex 30:1-31:18).

Preliminaries to the Work. - Exodus 35:1-29 . After the restoration of the covenant, Moses announced to the people the divine commands with reference to the holy place of the tabernacle which was to be built. He repeated first of all ( Exodus 35:1-3 ) the law of the Sabbath according to Exodus 31:13-17 , and strengthened it by the announcement, that on the Sabbath no fire was to be kindled in their dwelling, because this rule was to be observed even in connection with the work to be done for the tabernacle. (For a fuller comment, see at Exodus 20:9 .). Then, in accordance with the command of Jehovah, he first of all summoned the whole nation to present freewill-offerings for the holy things to be prepared ( Exodus 35:4 , Exodus 35:5 ), mentioning one by one all the materials that would be required ( Exodus 35:5-9 , as in Exodus 25:3-7 ); and after that he called upon those who were endowed with understanding to prepare the different articles, as prescribed in ch. 25-30, mentioning these also one by one ( Exodus 35:11-19 ), even down to the pegs of the dwelling and court ( Exodus 27:19 ), and "their cords," i.e., the cords required to fasten the tent and the hangings round the court to the pegs that were driven into the ground, which had not been mentioned before, being altogether subordinate things. (On the "cloths of service," Exodus 35:19 , see at Exodus 31:10 .) In Exodus 35:20-29 we have an account of the fulfilment of this command.

The people went from Moses, i.e., from the place where they were assembled round Moses, away to their tents, and willingly offered the things required as a heave-offering for Jehovah; every one "whom his heart lifted up," i.e., who felt himself inclined and stirred up in his heart to do this. The men along with (על as in Genesis 32:12 ; see Ewald, 217) the women brought with a willing heart all kinds of golden rings and jewellery: chak, lit., hook, here a clasp or ring; nezem, an ear or nose-ring ( Genesis 35:4 ; Genesis 24:47 ); tabbaath, a finger-ring; cumaz, globulus aureus, probably little golden balls strung together like beads, which were worn by the Israelites and Midianites ( Numbers 31:50 ) as an ornament round the wrist and neck, as Diod. Sic. relates that they were by the Arabians (3, 44). "All kinds of golden jewellery, and every one who had waved (dedicated) a wave (offering) of gold to Jehovah," sc., offered it for the work of the tabernacle.