Exodus 35 24

Exodus 35:24 kjv

Every one that did offer an offering of silver and brass brought the LORD's offering: and every man, with whom was found shittim wood for any work of the service, brought it.

Exodus 35:24 nkjv

Everyone who offered an offering of silver or bronze brought the LORD's offering. And everyone with whom was found acacia wood for any work of the service, brought it.

Exodus 35:24 niv

Those presenting an offering of silver or bronze brought it as an offering to the LORD, and everyone who had acacia wood for any part of the work brought it.

Exodus 35:24 esv

Everyone who could make a contribution of silver or bronze brought it as the LORD's contribution. And every one who possessed acacia wood of any use in the work brought it.

Exodus 35:24 nlt

And all who had silver and bronze objects gave them as a sacred offering to the LORD. And those who had acacia wood brought it for use in the project.

Exodus 35 verses

Exodus 35 24 Meaning

Exodus 35:24 describes the widespread, voluntary contributions of specific raw materials by the Israelites—silver, bronze, and acacia wood—all designated for the intricate construction and furnishings of the Tabernacle. This verse emphasizes the diverse types of possessions individuals had, highlighting that both refined metals and essential natural resources were willingly presented to facilitate the work of building God's dwelling place in their midst.

Exodus 35 24 Context

Exodus chapter 35 follows the detailed divine blueprints for the Tabernacle's construction (chapters 25-31) and the deeply disruptive Golden Calf idolatry (chapter 32). It marks a pivotal moment where Moses formally relays God's commands to the people, initiating the actual building phase. Crucially, before requesting any materials or skills, Moses first reminded the Israelites of the Sabbath's holiness (Exod 35:1-3), reaffirming God's ultimate authority and their renewed covenant obligations. This set the sacred tone for the entire enterprise. From verse 4, Moses specified the materials required, leading into the people's spontaneous and overflowing response detailed in verses 20-29. Exodus 35:24 specifically hones in on the individual contributions of silver, bronze, and the uniquely critical acacia wood, showing how broadly the call for offerings resonated within the community and their eagerness to provide what they possessed for the Lord's dwelling.

Exodus 35 24 Word analysis

• Every man (כָּל־אִישׁ, kol-ish): "Every" (kol) denotes universal application; "man" (ish) specifies individual Israelites. This emphasizes the wide personal involvement of each household, contrasting with systems that rely on only the wealthy or forced labor, and underscores God's call for broad, personal participation from His people.

• who presented an offering (אֲשֶׁר הֵקְרִיב אֶת־קָרְבַּן, asher heqriv et-qarban): "Presented" (heqriv, Hiphil of qarab) means to cause to approach or bring near, specifically indicating a deliberate, active offering to God. "Offering" (qarban) is a general term for any gift brought as a dedicated sacrifice, signifying intentional dedication of possessions for sacred purpose.

• of silver (כֶּסֶף, kesef): A precious metal, often from the wealth plundered from Egypt. Silver was vital for the Tabernacle's structural stability, particularly the heavy sockets of its framework, reflecting value and divine support.

• or bronze (נְחֹשֶׁת, nechoshet): Bronze or copper, a more common yet essential metal. Used for durable items like the altar of burnt offering, its implements, and court pillars. Its commonality meant more people could contribute, ensuring broad participation in meeting Tabernacle material needs.

• brought the Lord's offering (הֵבִיא אֶת־תְּרוּמַת יְהוָה, hevi et-terumat YHWH): "Brought" (hevi, Hiphil of bo') means to convey. "The Lord's offering" (terumat YHWH) is a specific contribution "lifted up" or separated for God. It signifies a dedicated, voluntary contribution for the Tabernacle's holy purposes, emphasizing divine ownership and purpose over personal gift-giving.

• and every man with whom was found (וְכָל־אִישׁ אֲשֶׁר נִמְצָא אִתּוֹ, vechol-ish asher nimtsa itto): "Was found" (nimtsa, Niphil passive of matsa) means simply "existed with" or "was discovered with." This highlights that the contributions were drawn from their existing personal possessions, often providentially acquired (like from Egypt or their desert surroundings), rather than specifically obtained for the purpose, showcasing God's provision for the work through His people's resources.

• acacia wood (עֲצֵי שִׁטִּים, 'atzei shittim): Wood from the shittim tree, a desert acacia, native to the Sinai region. Exceptionally hard, durable, and resistant to decay, it was exclusively prescribed for the Tabernacle's core structural elements (Ark, table, altars, frames). Its distinctiveness underscores the precise divine specifications for construction materials and God's providence in providing it locally.

• of any kind for the work of the service (לְכָל־מְלֶאכֶת הָעֲבֹדָה, lekhol-melekhet ha'avodah): "Work" (melekhet) means undertaking or occupation. "Service" (ha'avodah) specifically denotes sacred labor or worship service. This phrase clarifies the purpose of all contributions: for the sacred task of building, furnishing, and maintaining God’s dwelling place and its worship, emphasizing its divinely mandated utility.

• "Every man who presented an offering of silver or bronze... and every man with whom was found acacia wood...": This pairing reflects the two primary categories of contributions: valuable metals (often obtained from Egypt, thus "brought forward") and natural, local materials (like wood, which was "found" among their desert possessions). It showcases the diverse origin and nature of resources dedicated to God, demonstrating that all possessions, whether refined or raw, from various sources, were consecrated to Him for His house.

• "brought the Lord's offering" / "brought it": The repetition of the act of "bringing" (explicit or implicit) stresses the deliberate, active, and willing participation of each Israelite. The former phrase emphasizes the consecrated nature of the contribution, recognizing its ultimate divine purpose, while the latter, in its simplicity for the wood, highlights the straightforward fulfillment of a practical need in a broad, collective manner.

• "silver or bronze" vs. "acacia wood": This juxtaposition reveals God's meticulous design which called for both the precious and the common, the refined and the raw. While metals might symbolize earthly wealth transformed, acacia wood represents the simple, rugged provisions from their wilderness journey. All were equally indispensable components for a unified, divine purpose, emphasizing that contributions of varying values are equally honored when given for God's glory.

Exodus 35 24 Bonus section

The mention of shittim (acacia) wood is geographically and symbolically significant. Acacia trees thrive in arid environments like the Sinai wilderness, reinforcing the idea that God provided the exact materials needed within their immediate desert surroundings, transforming their transient setting into a source for His permanent dwelling. This particularity in materials contrasts with pagan temple-building that often sought exotic or foreign materials to impress, instead emphasizing God's intimate relationship with His people and their present reality. Furthermore, the detailed listing of specific materials by God, down to the type of wood, highlights divine design and authority. It meant that their giving was not arbitrary but fulfilled precise requirements for God's holy habitation. The term "service" (avodah) often implies cultic or priestly duties, but here extended to the communal act of providing for and constructing the Tabernacle, showing that supporting God’s house physically was also considered sacred service.

Exodus 35 24 Commentary

Exodus 35:24 beautifully illustrates the willing and comprehensive participation of the Israelite community in the construction of the Tabernacle. Following the Golden Calf incident, this fervent giving signifies a renewed covenant commitment and collective repentance. The verse emphasizes that contributions of various essential materials, specifically silver, bronze, and acacia wood, flowed from "every man," demonstrating broad-based, individual engagement rather than forced labor or exclusive contributions from a few elite. This active 'bringing' and 'finding' of specific materials underscore God's providence in equipping His people with the very resources needed for His sanctuary, even in the wilderness. It teaches that both highly valued processed goods and sturdy natural provisions were equally crucial and sanctified when dedicated to "the work of the service" – building God’s dwelling place. This verse establishes a profound biblical principle: our possessions, irrespective of their origin or perceived value, can be transformed into instruments of worship and facilitate God's presence among His people when offered willingly and purposefully for His kingdom work. This includes diverse offerings like monetary support for ministries, using natural resources sustainably for building places of worship, or providing specialized items for sacred rites.