Exodus 35:5
Take ye from among you an offering unto the LORD: whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it, an offering of the LORD; gold, and silver, and brass,
Original Language Analysis
מֵֽאִתְּכֶ֤ם
H853
מֵֽאִתְּכֶ֤ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
תְּרוּמַ֣ת
it an offering
H8641
תְּרוּמַ֣ת
it an offering
Strong's:
H8641
Word #:
3 of 14
a present (as offered up), especially in sacrifice or as tribute
יְהוָ֑ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֑ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 14
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
כֹּ֚ל
whosoever
H3605
כֹּ֚ל
whosoever
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
5 of 14
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
נְדִ֣יב
is of a willing
H5081
נְדִ֣יב
is of a willing
Strong's:
H5081
Word #:
6 of 14
properly, voluntary, i.e., generous; hence, magnanimous; as noun, a grandee (sometimes a tyrant)
לִבּ֔וֹ
heart
H3820
לִבּ֔וֹ
heart
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
7 of 14
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
יְבִיאֶ֕הָ
let him bring
H935
יְבִיאֶ֕הָ
let him bring
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
8 of 14
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
אֵ֖ת
H853
אֵ֖ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
תְּרוּמַ֣ת
it an offering
H8641
תְּרוּמַ֣ת
it an offering
Strong's:
H8641
Word #:
10 of 14
a present (as offered up), especially in sacrifice or as tribute
יְהוָ֑ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֑ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
11 of 14
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
זָהָ֥ב
gold
H2091
זָהָ֥ב
gold
Strong's:
H2091
Word #:
12 of 14
gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky
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.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.
Historical Context
The materials requested were precisely those Israel plundered from Egypt (12:35-36), demonstrating how God transforms spoils of deliverance into instruments of worship. These were costly materials requiring genuine sacrifice from the community.
Questions for Reflection
- What does God's emphasis on willing hearts teach about the nature of acceptable worship and giving?
- How did Egypt's wealth, given to Israel at the Exodus, find its ultimate purpose in building God's dwelling?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The call for offerings specifically targets those whose heart makes them willing (אֲשֶׁר יִדְּבֶנּוּ לִבּוֹ, asher yidvenu libbo—'whose heart makes him willing'). The Hebrew emphasizes internal motivation—the heart 'impels' or 'volunteers' the person. This principle establishes that God desires gifts flowing from love, not obligation. The extensive list that follows (gold, silver, bronze, fine linens, oils, spices, stones) represents the best of Egypt's plunder, now consecrated for divine purposes.