Exodus 35

Exodus 35 opens the final section of the book of Exodus (chapters 35–40), in which the instructions for the tabernacle are carried out. In chapters 25–31, God gives instructions for the design of the tabernacle (a portable tent of worship), and chapters 32–34 recount the golden calf incident and the renewal of the covenant.

Outline

• Verses 1–3: Moses assembles the whole congregation of Israel and commands them to keep the Sabbath. On that day they are not even to kindle a fire in their dwellings.
• Verses 4–9: Moses relays the command to receive offerings from all who are of a willing heart. The list includes gold, silver, and brass; colored yarns and fine linen; skins; shittim wood; oil for the light and spices for the anointing oil (the holy oil used for anointing); and precious stones.
• Verses 10–19: The wise-hearted are told what they are to make: the tabernacle and its coverings, the ark of the testimony and the mercy seat (the lid of the ark of the covenant), the table and the showbread, the candlestick, the altar of incense, the altar of burnt offering and the laver, the hangings of the court, and the holy garments for the priests.
• Verses 20–29: Men and women whose hearts are stirred bring jewelry and materials. Wise-hearted women spin yarn with their own hands and bring it, and the rulers bring precious stones, oil, and spices.
• Verses 30–35: Moses announces that God has called Bezalel of the tribe of Judah and Oholiab of the tribe of Dan to do the work.

Key Verses

• Exodus 35:5: "Whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it, an offering of the LORD." The verse shows that the offerings for the tabernacle were given voluntarily rather than under compulsion.
• Exodus 35:31: "And he hath filled him with the spirit of God." Some translations render the phrase "the Spirit of God." The verse presents skill and craftsmanship as abilities given by God.

People and Places

• Moses: Conveys God's commands to the congregation.
• Aaron: The holy garments to be worn by him and his sons are mentioned.
• Bezalel and Oholiab: The craftsmen entrusted with building the tabernacle.
• Hur: Bezalel's grandfather. Some interpreters identify him with the Hur of Exodus 17 and 24.
• Ahisamach: Oholiab's father.

Points for Reflection

• The Sabbath ordinance comes before the account of the tabernacle's construction. Rabbinic tradition in Judaism is said to have derived the categories of work forbidden on the Sabbath from the kinds of labor involved in making the tabernacle. Within Protestantism, views differ on how the Sabbath regulations should be applied today (→ Sabbath and the Lord's Day).
• "Badgers' skins" and "shittim wood" are rendered differently across translations. Shittim wood is widely identified as acacia.
• In the New Testament, Paul speaks of giving not grudgingly but cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9:6–8), a passage read alongside this chapter because both concern willing offerings. Hebrews 8 interprets the tabernacle as an example and shadow of heavenly things.