Exodus 35 22

Exodus 35:22 kjv

And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing hearted, and brought bracelets, and earrings, and rings, and tablets, all jewels of gold: and every man that offered, offered an offering of gold unto the LORD.

Exodus 35:22 nkjv

They came, both men and women, as many as had a willing heart, and brought earrings and nose rings, rings and necklaces, all jewelry of gold, that is, every man who made an offering of gold to the LORD.

Exodus 35:22 niv

All who were willing, men and women alike, came and brought gold jewelry of all kinds: brooches, earrings, rings and ornaments. They all presented their gold as a wave offering to the LORD.

Exodus 35:22 esv

So they came, both men and women. All who were of a willing heart brought brooches and earrings and signet rings and armlets, all sorts of gold objects, every man dedicating an offering of gold to the LORD.

Exodus 35:22 nlt

Both men and women came, all whose hearts were willing. They brought to the LORD their offerings of gold ? brooches, earrings, rings from their fingers, and necklaces. They presented gold objects of every kind as a special offering to the LORD.

Exodus 35 verses

Exodus 35 22 Meaning

Exodus 35:22 describes the profound response of the Israelites to God’s call for contributions to build the Tabernacle. It highlights that both men and women, prompted by genuinely willing and generous hearts, brought precious golden articles such as brooches, earrings, signet rings, and bracelets. This collective act of bringing gold as an offering to the Lord symbolized their renewed devotion and obedience, redirecting materials previously used for personal adornment—and even idolatry—towards sacred purposes in divine worship.

Exodus 35 22 Context

Exodus 35 initiates the execution of God's commands for constructing the Tabernacle, serving as a pivotal moment following the profound national repentance after the Golden Calf incident in Exodus 32. Chapters 25-31 previously detailed God's intricate instructions for building His dwelling place among the Israelites, including the materials needed. However, the covenant was broken by their idolatry. Exodus 34 records Moses' intercession and the renewal of the covenant, emphasizing God's mercy and steadfast love. Thus, Exodus 35:20-29 portrays the people's collective and immediate response to God's renewed invitation to participate in His sacred work. Verse 22 specifically highlights the willing offerings of gold, demonstrating a complete turn from their past sin of fashioning a golden idol (Ex 32:2-4) to now dedicating their valuable possessions for the glory of God and His worship. This willingness indicated their restored fellowship and commitment.

Exodus 35 22 Word analysis

• וַיָּבֹאוּ (vayyavo'u) - "And they came": Indicates immediate and voluntary action, emphasizing their eager participation. This was not a reluctant contribution but a responsive approach to the divine command.
• הָאֲנָשִׁים עַל-הַנָּשִׁים (ha'anashim 'al-hannashim) - "the men along with the women": Signifies universal participation. All members of the community, regardless of gender or social status, contributed equally and with willing hearts. It underlines the inclusivity of worship and service.
• כֹּל נְדִיב לֵב (kol n'div lev) - "all who had willing hearts / every noble of heart": This is a key phrase. Nediv (נְדִיב) means noble, generous, or voluntary. It emphasizes that the motive was purity of heart and not coercion or grudging obligation. Their giving sprang from a genuine desire to serve God, indicative of a spiritual transformation post-Sinai.
• הֵבִיאוּ (hevi'u) - "they brought": A simple, active verb reinforcing the direct, personal involvement in the act of giving.
• חָח (khakh) - "brooch / nose ring": Refers to a clasp or ornament, possibly a nose ring as sometimes depicted in ancient Near Eastern art. This was a valuable personal item, worn prominently. Its offering represented sacrifice of personal adornment.
• וָנֶזֶם (vanézem) - "earring": Another common and valuable item of personal jewelry, often made of precious metals. The giving up of such items demonstrated the extent of their devotion.
• וְטַבַּעַת (v'tabba'at) - "and signet ring": A ring, often used for sealing documents and symbolizing authority, identity, or wealth. The offering of such an item suggests deep commitment, as it could be a significant family heirloom or personal identifier.
• וְכֻמָּז (v'khumaz) - "and bracelet": An adornment for the wrist or arm, signifying wealth and status. This highlights the breadth of golden jewelry they were willing to give up.
• כָּל-כְּלִי זָהָב (kol k'li zahav) - "all articles of gold": A comprehensive phrase, meaning "every vessel, instrument, or article of gold." It implies that they were not selective, but brought forth any golden item they possessed. This shows thorough dedication, contrasting with grudging giving.
• וְאִישׁ אֲשֶׁר הֵנִיף תְּנוּפַת זָהָב (v'ish asher henif t'nufat zahav) - "and every man who presented a wave offering of gold":
  • הֵנִיף (henif): "he lifted up / waved." This verb is typically associated with the ritual of the t'nuphah (תְּנוּפָה), or wave offering (e.g., Ex 29:24, Lev 7:30).
  • תְּנוּפַת (t'nufat): "wave offering." While usually applied to animal parts, grains, or bread presented by being waved before the Lord as a sign of dedication and return, its application here to gold is significant. It suggests the gold was formally and ritually dedicated, wholly surrendered to God, acknowledging His ownership and their gratitude. It was presented as a holy, consecrated item.
• לַיהוָה (laYahweh) - "to the LORD": Emphasizes the divine recipient and ultimate purpose of their offerings. Their generosity was directly to God, not for human praise or benefit.

Exodus 35 22 Bonus section

The contrast between the Israelites' eager contribution of gold in Exodus 35:22 and their sin involving gold in Exodus 32:2-4 (the Golden Calf) is striking. In Exodus 32, Aaron commanded the people to take off their golden earrings for the creation of an idol. In Exodus 35, they willingly bring gold—including earrings—for God's dwelling. This highlights a redemption and sanctification of the very material that had been corrupted by sin. The valuable metals plundered from Egypt during the Exodus (Ex 12:35) were originally God's provision and were now, finally, being redirected for His divine purpose, symbolizing their transformation from mere possessions into instruments of worship and expressions of true devotion.

Exodus 35 22 Commentary

Exodus 35:22 is a powerful testament to the transformed hearts of the Israelites. Having recently misused their gold for an idol, they now willingly offer their most valuable possessions—personal adornments and articles of gold—to God for the construction of His dwelling place. This act was not coerced but flowed from a "willing heart," signifying genuine repentance, renewed allegiance, and joyous obedience. The universal participation of men and women underscored the community's unified commitment to divine worship. The description of their offerings as a "wave offering of gold" indicates a profound act of consecration and dedication, placing these formerly personal items entirely into God's service. It reveals that the true value of an offering lies not merely in its material worth, but in the heart and intention behind it, and its ultimate dedication to the Lord for His glory. This redirection of precious resources from idolatry and personal adornment to God's sacred purpose marked a significant turning point in their spiritual journey.