Exodus 35:1 kjv
And Moses gathered all the congregation of the children of Israel together, and said unto them, These are the words which the LORD hath commanded, that ye should do them.
Exodus 35:1 nkjv
Then Moses gathered all the congregation of the children of Israel together, and said to them, "These are the words which the LORD has commanded you to do:
Exodus 35:1 niv
Moses assembled the whole Israelite community and said to them, "These are the things the LORD has commanded you to do:
Exodus 35:1 esv
Moses assembled all the congregation of the people of Israel and said to them, "These are the things that the LORD has commanded you to do.
Exodus 35:1 nlt
Then Moses called together the whole community of Israel and told them, "These are the instructions the LORD has commanded you to follow.
Exodus 35 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 19:7-8 | So Moses came and called the elders of the people and set before them... | Moses mediates covenant terms. |
| Exod 24:3 | Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD... | People assent to obey God's word. |
| Exod 25:8 | "And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them." | Divine purpose for the Tabernacle. |
| Exod 31:12-17 | The LORD said to Moses, "You are to speak to the people of Israel and say, 'Above all you shall keep my Sabbaths...'" | God commands Sabbath observance before Tabernacle building. |
| Exod 34:27-28 | And the LORD said to Moses, "Write these words, for in accordance with these words I have made a covenant with you..." | Renewal of the covenant after the Golden Calf. |
| Lev 4:13 | If the whole congregation of Israel errs and the thing is hidden from... | Corporate responsibility of the congregation. |
| Num 16:3 | They assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron... | Contrast: congregation against leadership. |
| Deut 4:1-2 | "And now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the rules that I am teaching you, and do them..." | Call to obey God's commands. |
| Deut 4:5 | "See, I have taught you statutes and rules, as the LORD my God commanded me..." | Moses teaching as commanded by God. |
| Deut 5:12-15 | "'Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the LORD your God commanded you..." | Restatement of Sabbath command. |
| Deut 6:24-25 | "...the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes... that it may always be well with us..." | Purpose of keeping commands: welfare. |
| Josh 22:5 | Only be very careful to observe the commandment and the law that Moses... | Emphasis on meticulous obedience to the Law. |
| Joel 2:16 | Gather the people. Sanctify the congregation; assemble the elders... | Call for sacred assembly in crisis. |
| Ps 22:22 | I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you. | The importance of the congregation in worship. |
| Ps 107:32 | Let them extol him in the congregation of the people, and praise him... | Praising God in the assembly. |
| Matt 5:19 | Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments... | Christ's emphasis on obeying God's commands. |
| Matt 28:20 | teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you... | Disciples instructed to teach obedience. |
| John 14:15 | "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." | Obedience as evidence of love for God. |
| Acts 7:38 | This is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him at Mount Sinai... | Stephen's speech referencing Israel as the "church in the wilderness". |
| 1 Cor 10:11 | Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction... | Old Testament events as lessons for believers. |
| Heb 3:5 | Now Moses was faithful in all God's house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later... | Moses' faithful service foreshadowing Christ. |
| Rev 21:3 | "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them..." | Ultimate fulfillment of God dwelling with His people. |
Exodus 35 verses
Exodus 35 1 Meaning
Exodus 35:1 records Moses gathering all the people of Israel to communicate God's commands. This assembly served as a formal convocation where Moses, acting as God's mediator, relayed the specific divine instructions regarding the construction of the Tabernacle and the observance of the Sabbath, emphasizing that these were direct mandates from the LORD for them to meticulously carry out.
Exodus 35 1 Context
Exodus 35:1 marks a crucial turning point following the devastating episode of the Golden Calf (Exod 32-34). After God's judgment and Moses' intercession, the covenant was renewed. Chapters 25-31 had originally detailed God's elaborate instructions for the Tabernacle and its service, including the Sabbath. However, these instructions were interrupted by the sin. Exodus 35 begins the actual implementation of these commands, demonstrating God's renewed commitment to dwell among His people despite their failures, contingent on their obedience. The emphasis on "doing" underscores the practical manifestation of their restored relationship with the LORD. It transitions from divine decree to communal responsibility and action, setting the stage for the eager and generous giving described later in the chapter and the subsequent construction.
Exodus 35 1 Word analysis
- Moses: The divinely appointed mediator (Heb. מֹשֶׁה, Mosheh) between God and Israel. His leadership is essential for God's instructions to be accurately conveyed and implemented by the people. He embodies faithfulness in carrying out God's will.
- assembled (וַיַּקְהֵל, vayyaqhel): A Hiphil verb from the root קהל (qahal), meaning "to call an assembly, to convoke." It indicates an intentional and authoritative gathering of the entire community, signifying a solemn occasion for important communication and corporate commitment. This verb is often used for gathering the community for divine instruction or worship.
- all the congregation (כָּל־ עֲדַת, kol-`adath): "All" emphasizes inclusivity, signifying that every member of the community was intended to hear and partake. "Congregation" (`edah) refers to the whole assembly or community of Israel, a unified body of the chosen people. This term highlights the collective responsibility and solidarity required for observing God's commands.
- of the people of Israel (בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, benei Yisrael): "Sons of Israel" or "Children of Israel." This phrase firmly identifies the audience as the covenant people, distinctively set apart by God. It reminds them of their lineage and unique relationship with the LORD.
- said to them: Indicates direct, formal, and authoritative communication. Moses is delivering God's very words to the entire assembled community.
- "These are the things" (אֵלֶּה הַדְּבָרִים, 'elleh haddevarim): A direct and emphatic preface. "Things" or "words" (from דָּבָר, davar) often refers to God's decrees, instructions, or laws. It signifies that what follows is not Moses' opinion, but a summary of divine mandates. This phrasing highlights that the instructions are comprehensive and specific, previously received by Moses from the LORD.
- that the LORD (אֲשֶׁר צִוָּה יְהוָה, 'asher tzivvah YHVH): Points to the divine origin and ultimate authority of the commands. YHVH (Yahweh, the LORD) is the personal covenant name of God, emphasizing His relationship with Israel. The commands are not human suggestions but divine imperatives from their covenant partner.
- has commanded you to do: This phrase stresses immediate and practical application. The purpose of hearing the commands is to act upon them, signifying active obedience rather than passive listening. It implies personal responsibility and communal effort in fulfilling God's will. The command is not just to hear but to embody in actions.
Exodus 35 1 Bonus section
This verse implicitly showcases Moses as a type of faithful mediator, foreshadowing Christ, who not only relays God's commands but also embodies and perfectly fulfills them. The assembling of the people underlines the concept of God’s people as a corporate body, united under His commands. This echoes into the New Covenant where the Church, the new "congregation" (Acts 7:38 uses ekklesia, church, for the assembly in the wilderness), is called to gather and obey the commands of Christ for the building of the spiritual temple and to rest in Him. The specificity of "these things" being commanded directly by the LORD contrasts sharply with human-devised plans (like the Golden Calf), establishing divine revelation as the sole basis for true worship and obedience.
Exodus 35 1 Commentary
Exodus 35:1 opens a new segment in the wilderness narrative, moving from the detailed receival of divine instruction to its public proclamation and communal implementation. Following the harrowing breach of the covenant through the Golden Calf idolatry, this verse signals a fresh start. Moses, having successfully interceded for the people and witnessed God's grace in renewing the covenant, now diligently discharges his prophetic duty by bringing God's word directly to the congregation. The emphasis on "all the congregation" underscores the collective nature of their responsibility and worship; every Israelite was called to participate in the construction of the Tabernacle—the dwelling place for the holy God amidst their redeemed lives—and to consecrate the Sabbath. This re-engagement with God's law highlights that true repentance is followed by active obedience and worship. The Sabbath command, preceding even the Tabernacle construction details in the broader Exodus 35 passage, reinforces its foundational importance as a sign of God's covenant with Israel and a reflection of divine holiness and rest, setting a sacred rhythm for a redeemed people. It teaches them that their labors for God's dwelling place must never overshadow the importance of their sacred rest in Him.