Exodus 36:6
And Moses gave commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, Let neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary. So the people were restrained from bringing.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּֽעֲבִ֨ירוּ
H5674
וַיַּֽעֲבִ֨ירוּ
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
3 of 17
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
בַּֽמַּחֲנֶה֮
throughout the camp
H4264
בַּֽמַּחֲנֶה֮
throughout the camp
Strong's:
H4264
Word #:
5 of 17
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
אִ֣ישׁ
Let neither man
H376
אִ֣ישׁ
Let neither man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
7 of 17
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)
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
9 of 17
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
יַֽעֲשׂוּ
make
H6213
יַֽעֲשׂוּ
make
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
10 of 17
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
ע֛וֹד
H5750
ע֛וֹד
Strong's:
H5750
Word #:
11 of 17
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
מְלָאכָ֖ה
any more work
H4399
מְלָאכָ֖ה
any more work
Strong's:
H4399
Word #:
12 of 17
properly, deputyship, i.e., ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor)
לִתְרוּמַ֣ת
for the offering
H8641
לִתְרוּמַ֣ת
for the offering
Strong's:
H8641
Word #:
13 of 17
a present (as offered up), especially in sacrifice or as tribute
הַקֹּ֑דֶשׁ
of the sanctuary
H6944
הַקֹּ֑דֶשׁ
of the sanctuary
Strong's:
H6944
Word #:
14 of 17
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
וַיִּכָּלֵ֥א
were restrained
H3607
וַיִּכָּלֵ֥א
were restrained
Strong's:
H3607
Word #:
15 of 17
to restrict, by act (hold back or in) or word (prohibit)
Historical Context
This proclamation required Moses to exercise leadership by restraining enthusiasm—a delicate task. Stopping the flow of offerings could have been interpreted negatively, but the people obeyed, demonstrating their trust in Moses' leadership and understanding that excess should not be gathered.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Moses' command to stop giving teach about leadership and the wisdom to restrain even good impulses?
- How does the principle of 'enough' challenge prosperity-focused ministry cultures?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Moses issues a proclamation 'throughout the camp' (בַּמַּחֲנֶה, ba-machaneh) commanding cessation of offerings—perhaps the only biblical instance of commanding people to stop giving. The phrase 'Let neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering' (אַל־יַעֲשׂוּ־עוֹד מְלָאכָה לִתְרוּמַת הַקֹּדֶשׁ, al-ya'asu-od melakhah litrumah ha-kodesh) demonstrates that even good things (giving) must be done in proper measure and timing. Wisdom knows both when to give and when to cease giving.