Exodus 35:29
The 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.
Original Language Analysis
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
1 of 21
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אִ֣ישׁ
every man
H376
אִ֣ישׁ
every man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
2 of 21
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)
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
whose
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
whose
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
4 of 21
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נָדַ֣ב
made them willing
H5068
נָדַ֣ב
made them willing
Strong's:
H5068
Word #:
5 of 21
to impel; hence, to volunteer (as a soldier), to present spontaneously
לִבָּם֮
heart
H3820
לִבָּם֮
heart
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
6 of 21
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
אֹתָם֒
H853
אֹתָם֒
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לְכָל
H3605
לְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
9 of 21
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַמְּלָאכָ֔ה
for all manner of work
H4399
הַמְּלָאכָ֔ה
for all manner of work
Strong's:
H4399
Word #:
10 of 21
properly, deputyship, i.e., ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor)
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
whose
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
whose
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
11 of 21
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לַֽיהוָֽה׃
unto the LORD
H3068
לַֽיהוָֽה׃
unto the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
13 of 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לַֽעֲשׂ֖וֹת
to be made
H6213
לַֽעֲשׂ֖וֹת
to be made
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
14 of 21
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
בְּיַד
by the hand
H3027
בְּיַד
by the hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
15 of 21
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
בְנֵֽי
The children
H1121
בְנֵֽי
The children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
18 of 21
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
19 of 21
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Cross References
Exodus 35:4And Moses spake unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which the LORD commanded, saying,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.Isaiah 8:20To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.2 Peter 1:19We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:Exodus 36:3And they received of Moses all the offering, which the children of Israel had brought for the work of the service of the sanctuary, to make it withal. And they brought yet unto him free offerings every morning.1 Corinthians 3:5Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?1 Corinthians 9:17For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.1 Chronicles 29:6Then the chief of the fathers and princes of the tribes of Israel, and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, with the rulers of the king's work, offered willingly,1 Chronicles 29:3Moreover, because I have set my affection to the house of my God, I have of mine own proper good, of gold and silver, which I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house,1 Chronicles 29:14But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.
Historical Context
Acacia trees grew in the Sinai wilderness, providing locally available material. However, acquiring sufficient quantity required effort—cutting, transporting, and delivering to the construction site. This accessible yet valuable wood democratized participation.
Questions for Reflection
- What spiritual principle is illustrated by the combination of common wood overlaid with precious gold?
- How does the offering of structural materials alongside precious materials teach that all gifts, regardless of apparent value, are necessary for God's purposes?
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Analysis & Commentary
Shittim wood (acacia, עֲצֵי שִׁטִּים, atzei shittim) brought by the people would form the structural framework overlaid with gold—combining human (wood) with divine (gold) in the furnishings. The participatory phrase 'offered an offering' (הֵבִיאוּ תְרוּמָה, hevi'u terumah) emphasizes the active presenting of gifts, not passive compliance. Bringing structural materials demonstrates understanding that God's house requires both beauty (precious metals, fine fabrics) and strength (durable wood)—form and function united in holy purpose.