Exodus 35:27

35:20-29 Without 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 in employments considered mean, are as much accepted of God as those engaged in splendid services. The women who spun the goats' hair were wise-hearted, because they did it heartily to the Lord. Thus the labourer, mechanic, or servant who attends to his work in the faith and fear of God, may be as wise, for his place, as the most useful minister, and he equally accepted of the Lord. Our wisdom and duty consist in giving God the glory and use of our talents, be they many or few.

And the rulers brought onyx stones, and stones to be set,.... Or "stones of fillings" (d), to be set in ouches, and fill them up, as stones set in rings do: for the ephod, and for the breastplate; the onyx stones were for the shoulder pieces of the ephod; and the other stones were for the breastplate of judgment, and both to be borne by the high priest, for a memorial of the children of Israel before the Lord, whose names were engraven on these stones: the rulers are mentioned last, as bringing their offerings: the reason of which may not be, because they were backward to it, for they might offer earlier, though recorded last; or if they offered last, it might be because they brought things that others could not; namely, the precious stones here mentioned, and other things in the next verse, the common people had not; though some of the Jewish writers tax them with dilatoriness, and observe a letter wanting in the word for "rulers", it generally has; omitted to denote, as they think, that they were slow and backward in offering; so Jarchi notes from R. Nathan. (d) "lapides plenitudinum", Pagninus, Montanus; "repletionum", Vatablus; "impletionum", Drusius.

(27) The rulers brought onyx stones, and stones to be set.— The “rulers” here intended are probably the “ princes of the tribes” of Israel ( Numbers 1:16 ; Numbers 3:3 ; Numbers 3:5 , &c.). The twelve stones required for the breastplate would naturally be contributed by the twelve chiefs of the tribes whose names they were to bear ( Exodus 28:21 ). The two onyx stones for the ephod ( Exodus 28:9-12 ), may have been the further gift of two of the number, who happened to possess stones of the large size needed.

THE ZEAL OF THE PEOPLE IN OFFERING AND ASSISTING IN THE WORK. (21) They came, every one whose heart stirred him up.—All classes came, “men and women” (Exodus 35:22), rich and poor, “rulers” (Exodus 35:27), and those whose only skill was to “spin with their hands” (Exodus 35:25). And the great majority gave freely—to the utmost of their power. Still it is implied, both here and in Exodus 35:22; Exodus 35:29, that there were some whose hearts did not stir them up. Enough and to spare, was, however, contributed, and at last the people had to be “restrained from bringing” (Exodus 36:8). The Lord’s offering—i.e., “their offering to Jehovah.”

Verses 27, 28. - The rulers are, no doubt, the "elders" of Exodus 3:16 ; Exodus 4:29 ; Exodus 24:9 , etc. Moses had made them "rulers," or rather, "princes" (sarey), according to the advice of Jethro ( Exodus 18:25 ). They brought onyx stones for the ephod ( Exodus 28:9-12 ) and stones to be set , - i.e. , gems for the breastplate ( ibid. 17-20); oil of olive for the lamp ( Exodus 27:20 ) and the holy ointment ( Exodus 29:24 ), and spice for the same ( ibid. 23, 24) and for the incense ( ibid. 34). CHAPTER 35:30-35 Exodus 35:27

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.

[Reformed Biblical] d to his service. Exodus 35:22 ## Earrings . ## Object . Aaron had got these from them for the making of the calf, Exo 32 . ## Answ . Though the generality of the people did then part with their earrings, yet there was a considerable number who did not, as being unsatisfied with that idolatrous design; and it may seem that the women would not part with theirs, being more fond of their ornaments than of their idols. See Poole " Exo_32:3 " . Exodus 35:23 Exodus 35:24 Exodus 35:25 Exodus 35:26 ## In wisdom : this word seems better to agree with the following than with the foregoing word, they spun with wisdom, i.e. with skill and art. Exodus 35:27 Exodus 35:28 Exodus 35:29 Exodus 35:30 Exodus 35:31 Exodus 35:32 Exodus 35:33 Exodus 35:34 ## That he may teach , to wit, others to work under him; for the work required many hands; and it is a peculiar gift of God to be apt to teach, which every skilful man hath not. Exodus 35:35 ## Exodus 36:1 EXODUS CHAPTER 36 Moses comitteth the work to Bezaleel and Aholiab Exo 36 1-4. The liberality of the people is forbid Exo_36:5,6. The curtains of cherubims, Exo_36:8-13. The curtains of goats’ hair, &c. all belonging to the tabernacle, Exo_36:14-38 ## Of the sanctuary, or, of the holy place , to wit, of the tabernacle, so called by a prolepsis and synecdoche. BC 1491 Exodus 36:2 God had qualified them before, but that is not sufficient without a call.