Exodus 35

Sabbath Regulations

¹Moses assembled all the congregation of the children of Israel, and said to them, “These are the words which the LORD has commanded, that you should do them.

²‘Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be a holy day for you, a Sabbath of solemn rest to the LORD: whoever does any work in it shall be put to death.

³You shall kindle no fire throughout your habitations on the Sabbath day.’”

Offerings for the Tabernacle

⁴Moses spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, “This is the thing which the LORD commanded, saying,

⁵‘Take from among you an offering to the LORD. Whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it as the LORD’s offering: gold, silver, bronze,

⁶blue, purple, scarlet, fine linen, goats’ hair,

⁷rams’ skins dyed red, sea cow hides, acacia wood,

⁸oil for the light, spices for the anointing oil and for the sweet incense,

⁹onyx stones, and stones to be set for the ephod and for the breastplate.

¹⁰“‘Let every wise-hearted man among you come, and make all that the LORD has commanded:

¹¹the tabernacle, its outer covering, its roof, its clasps, its boards, its bars, its pillars, and its sockets;

¹²the ark, and its poles, the mercy seat, the veil of the screen;

¹³the table with its poles and all its vessels, and the show bread;

¹⁴the lamp stand also for the light, with its vessels, its lamps, and the oil for the light;

¹⁵and the altar of incense with its poles, the anointing oil, the sweet incense, the screen for the door, at the door of the tabernacle;

¹⁶the altar of burnt offering, with its grating of bronze, its poles, and all its vessels, the basin and its base;

¹⁷the hangings of the court, its pillars, their sockets, and the screen for the gate of the court;

¹⁸the pins of the tabernacle, the pins of the court, and their cords;

¹⁹the finely worked garments for ministering in the holy place—the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons—to minister in the priest’s office.’”

²⁰All the congregation of the children of Israel departed from the presence of Moses.

²¹They came, everyone whose heart stirred him up, and everyone whom his spirit made willing, and brought the LORD’s offering for the work of the Tent of Meeting, and for all of its service, and for the holy garments.

²²They came, both men and women, as many as were willing-hearted, and brought brooches, earrings, signet rings, and armlets, all jewels of gold; even every man who offered an offering of gold to the LORD.

²³Everyone with whom was found blue, purple, scarlet, fine linen, goats’ hair, rams’ skins dyed red, and sea cow hides, brought them.

²⁴Everyone who offered an offering of silver and bronze brought the LORD’s offering; and everyone with whom was found acacia wood for any work of the service, brought it.

²⁵All the women who were wise-hearted spun with their hands, and brought that which they had spun: the blue, the purple, the scarlet, and the fine linen.

²⁶All the women whose heart stirred them up in wisdom spun the goats’ hair.

²⁷The rulers brought the onyx stones and the stones to be set for the ephod and for the breastplate;

²⁸with the spice and the oil for the light, for the anointing oil, and for the sweet incense.

²⁹The children of Israel brought a free will offering to the LORD; every man and woman whose heart made them willing to bring for all the work, which the LORD had commanded to be made by Moses.

Bezalel and Oholiab Called

³⁰Moses said to the children of Israel, “Behold, the LORD has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah.

³¹He has filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of workmanship;

³²and to make skillful works, to work in gold, in silver, in bronze,

³³in cutting of stones for setting, and in carving of wood, to work in all kinds of skillful workmanship.

³⁴He has put in his heart that he may teach, both he and Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan.

³⁵He has filled them with wisdom of heart to work all kinds of workmanship, of the engraver, of the skillful workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, even of those who do any workmanship, and of those who make skillful works.

Previous Exodus 34

Next Exodus 36

Moses conveys God's instructions for building the tabernacle, beginning with a solemn reminder about Sabbath observance before calling for voluntary offerings of materials and skilled labor. The Israelites respond with overwhelming generosity, bringing gold, silver, fabrics, and other precious materials, while skilled craftsmen and women contribute their talents. God appoints Bezalel and Oholiab as master craftsmen, filling them with divine wisdom and skill to oversee the tabernacle's construction.

Context

This chapter begins the practical implementation of the tabernacle instructions given in chapters 25-31, following the covenant renewal after the golden calf incident.

Key Themes

Outline

1-3
Sabbath Regulations Moses emphasizes the sanctity of the Sabbath before beginning tabernacle preparations
4-19
Call for Tabernacle Offerings God requests voluntary contributions of materials and skilled labor for constructing the tabernacle and its furnishings
20-29
The People's Generous Response Israelites bring abundant offerings of gold, silver, fabrics, and materials with willing hearts
30-35
Appointment of Master Craftsmen God calls Bezalel and Oholiab, filling them with divine skill and wisdom to lead the construction work

Sabbath Regulations

35:1–35:3

law instruction solemn

Moses delivers God's commandment regarding Sabbath observance, establishing the seventh day as holy with strict prohibitions against work and kindling fire. The passage emphasizes the sacred nature of Sabbath rest.

person_contrast

Moses uniquely positions the Sabbath commandment as the first instruction after Israel's covenant renewal, making rest—not ritual or sacrifice—the foundational practice of restored community.

Offerings for the Tabernacle

35:4–35:29

law instruction hopeful

Moses instructs the Israelites to bring willing offerings of materials and skilled labor for constructing the tabernacle and its furnishings. The passage emphasizes voluntary generosity and skilled craftsmanship in service to God.

person_contrast

Moses transforms from lawgiver to fundraiser, using the phrase "willing heart" three times to emphasize voluntary generosity over commanded obedience in tabernacle construction.

Bezalel and Oholiab Called

35:30–35:35

narrative narration celebratory

God calls Bezalel and Oholiab by name and fills them with divine wisdom and skill to lead the construction of the tabernacle. This demonstrates God's provision of specific gifts and calling for sacred work.

person_contrast

Moses uniquely shifts from lawgiver to talent scout, announcing God's calling of artisans by name—the only passage where Moses formally introduces divinely-gifted craftsmen.

Insight Character Study

Moses uniquely positions the Sabbath commandment as the first instruction after Israel's covenant renewal, making rest—not ritual or sacrifice—the foundational practice of restored community.

Insight Character Study

Moses transforms from lawgiver to fundraiser, using the phrase "willing heart" three times to emphasize voluntary generosity over commanded obedience in tabernacle construction.

Insight Character Study

Moses uniquely shifts from lawgiver to talent scout, announcing God's calling of artisans by name—the only passage where Moses formally introduces divinely-gifted craftsmen.