Exodus 25:2
Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering.
Original Language Analysis
דַּבֵּר֙
Speak
H1696
דַּבֵּר֙
Speak
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
1 of 16
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
בְּנֵ֣י
unto the children
H1121
בְּנֵ֣י
unto the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
3 of 16
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
4 of 16
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
תִּקְח֖וּ
that they bring
H3947
תִּקְח֖וּ
that they bring
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
5 of 16
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
תְּרֽוּמָתִֽי׃
me an offering
H8641
תְּרֽוּמָתִֽי׃
me an offering
Strong's:
H8641
Word #:
7 of 16
a present (as offered up), especially in sacrifice or as tribute
מֵאֵ֤ת
H853
מֵאֵ֤ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
9 of 16
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אִישׁ֙
of every man
H376
אִישׁ֙
of every man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
10 of 16
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
11 of 16
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יִדְּבֶ֣נּוּ
that giveth it willingly
H5068
יִדְּבֶ֣נּוּ
that giveth it willingly
Strong's:
H5068
Word #:
12 of 16
to impel; hence, to volunteer (as a soldier), to present spontaneously
לִבּ֔וֹ
with his heart
H3820
לִבּ֔וֹ
with his heart
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
13 of 16
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
תִּקְח֖וּ
that they bring
H3947
תִּקְח֖וּ
that they bring
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
14 of 16
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
Cross References
2 Corinthians 9:7Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.Ezra 2:68And some of the chief of the fathers, when they came to the house of the LORD which is at Jerusalem, offered freely for the house of God to set it up in his place:Nehemiah 11:2And the people blessed all the men, that willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem.Ezra 7:16And all the silver and gold that thou canst find in all the province of Babylon, with the freewill offering of the people, and of the priests, offering willingly for the house of their God which is in Jerusalem:Ezra 1:6And all they that were about them strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, and with beasts, and with precious things, beside all that was willingly offered.Ezra 3:5And afterward offered the continual burnt offering, both of the new moons, and of all the set feasts of the LORD that were consecrated, and of every one that willingly offered a freewill offering unto the LORD.Psalms 110:3Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.Numbers 18:24But the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer as an heave offering unto the LORD, I have given to the Levites to inherit: therefore I have said unto them, Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance.Judges 5:9My heart is toward the governors of Israel, that offered themselves willingly among the people. Bless ye the LORD.
Historical Context
The Israelites possessed these materials through the plundering of Egypt (Exodus 12:35-36), God's provision that enabled tabernacle construction. This demonstrated that God equips His people for the worship He commands.
Questions for Reflection
- Does your worship flow from obligation or from a heart made willing by grace?
- How has God transformed 'plunder' from your past into resources for His glory?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The offering must be voluntary ('willing heart'), establishing that true worship flows from love, not compulsion. Every material listed—gold, silver, bronze, fine linens, precious stones—carried symbolic significance, with gold representing deity, silver redemption, and bronze judgment. These materials, gained from Egypt through God's judgment, now serve His glory, picturing redemption's transformation.