Exodus 35:26
And all the women whose heart stirred them up in wisdom spun goats' hair.
Original Language Analysis
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
1 of 10
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
3 of 10
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נָשָׂ֥א
stirred
H5375
נָשָׂ֥א
stirred
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
4 of 10
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
לִבָּ֛ן
whose heart
H3820
לִבָּ֛ן
whose heart
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
5 of 10
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
אֹתָ֖נָה
H853
אֹתָ֖נָה
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 10
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Cross References
Exodus 35:21And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, and they brought the LORD'S offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation, and for all his service, and for the holy garments.Exodus 36:8And every wise hearted man among them that wrought the work of the tabernacle made ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: with cherubims of cunning work made he them.Exodus 35:29The children of Israel brought a willing offering unto the LORD, every man and woman, whose heart made them willing to bring for all manner of work, which the LORD had commanded to be made by the hand of Moses.
Historical Context
Gold was the most precious metal in the ancient world, used for royal and religious purposes. Israel's abundance of gold came directly from Egyptian plunder, demonstrating how God enriched His people to enable them to build His dwelling richly.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the 'wave offering' of gold teach about presenting our most valuable possessions to God?
- How does God's provision of wealth through the Exodus plunder demonstrate His intention to dwell richly among His people?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The repetition 'every man that offered' emphasizes individual, personal participation—not collective abstraction but specific choices by specific people. The offering of gold (זָהָב, zahav) as a 'wave offering' (תְּנוּפָה, tenuphah) presents a paradox: wave offerings typically involved lighter items (sheaves, etc.), but here heavy gold is 'waved' before the LORD—perhaps indicating lifting it high as a gesture of dedication. This demonstrates that no gift is too valuable to be offered to God; He is worthy of our best.