Exodus 36:4
And all the wise men, that wrought all the work of the sanctuary, came every man from his work which they made;
Original Language Analysis
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
2 of 14
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַ֣חֲכָמִ֔ים
And all the wise men
H2450
הַ֣חֲכָמִ֔ים
And all the wise men
Strong's:
H2450
Word #:
3 of 14
wise, (i.e., intelligent, skilful or artful)
עֹשִֽׂים׃
that wrought
H6213
עֹשִֽׂים׃
that wrought
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
4 of 14
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אֵ֖ת
H853
אֵ֖ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 14
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 #:
6 of 14
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מִמְּלַאכְתּ֖וֹ
all the work
H4399
מִמְּלַאכְתּ֖וֹ
all the work
Strong's:
H4399
Word #:
7 of 14
properly, deputyship, i.e., ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor)
הַקֹּ֑דֶשׁ
of the sanctuary
H6944
הַקֹּ֑דֶשׁ
of the sanctuary
Strong's:
H6944
Word #:
8 of 14
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
אִ֥ישׁ
every man
H376
אִ֥ישׁ
every man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
9 of 14
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)
אִ֥ישׁ
every man
H376
אִ֥ישׁ
every man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
10 of 14
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)
מִמְּלַאכְתּ֖וֹ
all the work
H4399
מִמְּלַאכְתּ֖וֹ
all the work
Strong's:
H4399
Word #:
11 of 14
properly, deputyship, i.e., ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor)
Historical Context
In ancient contexts of scarcity and need, having too much of anything was virtually unheard of. The craftsmen's willingness to halt offerings demonstrates integrity—they could have hoarded excess materials but instead alerted Moses to the abundance.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the craftsmen's recognition of 'too much' teach about integrity and stewardship in ministry?
- How does calling a halt to giving challenge contemporary ministry cultures that perpetually emphasize need?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The wise craftsmen 'came every man from his work which they made' (אִישׁ אִישׁ מִמְּלַאכְתּוֹ, ish ish mi-melakhto)—individually and collectively approaching Moses with their concern. Their wisdom extended beyond craftsmanship to stewardship: recognizing when enough materials had been gathered. This interruption of work to address excess demonstrates that faithful stewardship sometimes requires saying 'enough'—a countercultural concept in contexts of scarcity or greed. Wise workers know both when to labor and when to stop collecting.