Exodus 35:1
And Moses gathered all the congregation of the children of Israel together, and said unto them, These are the words which the LORD hath commanded, that ye should do them.
Original Language Analysis
אֶֽת
H853
אֶֽת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 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 #:
4 of 16
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
עֲדַ֛ת
all the congregation
H5712
עֲדַ֛ת
all the congregation
Strong's:
H5712
Word #:
5 of 16
a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd)
בְּנֵ֥י
of the children
H1121
בְּנֵ֥י
of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
6 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
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
7 of 16
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
הַדְּבָרִ֔ים
unto them These are the words
H1697
הַדְּבָרִ֔ים
unto them These are the words
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
11 of 16
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
12 of 16
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יְהוָ֖ה
which the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
which the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
14 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Historical Context
Spoken after Moses' second forty-day meeting with God (34:28-35), this assembly marks the transition from receiving instructions (chs 25-31) to implementing them. The entire camp gathers at the base of Sinai to hear God's commands communally.
Questions for Reflection
- How does gathering the entire community before beginning sacred work demonstrate the importance of shared understanding and commitment?
- In what ways does Moses' role as mediator of God's commands prefigure Christ's role as the ultimate mediator?
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Analysis & Commentary
Moses assembles the entire congregation before beginning tabernacle construction, emphasizing that sacred work requires communal participation. The phrase 'these are the words which the LORD hath commanded' (אֵלֶּה הַדְּבָרִים, eleh ha-devarim) mirrors the introduction to the Ten Commandments (20:1), signaling the gravity of what follows. This gathering precedes construction to ensure all Israel understands the divine blueprint and participates with willing hearts.