Exodus 35:26 kjv
And all the women whose heart stirred them up in wisdom spun goats' hair.
Exodus 35:26 nkjv
And all the women whose hearts stirred with wisdom spun yarn of goats' hair.
Exodus 35:26 niv
And all the women who were willing and had the skill spun the goat hair.
Exodus 35:26 esv
All the women whose hearts stirred them to use their skill spun the goats' hair.
Exodus 35:26 nlt
All the women who were willing used their skills to spin the goat hair into yarn.
Exodus 35 26 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 25:2 | "Tell the people of Israel to bring me an offering. You shall receive my offering from every man whose heart prompts him to give." | Principle of voluntary offering. |
| Exod 31:3 | "And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, with intelligence, with knowledge, and with all craftsmanship." | Divine empowerment for Tabernacle craftsmen. |
| Exod 35:21 | "And they came, everyone whose heart stirred him up, and everyone whose spirit made him willing, and brought the Lord's contribution." | Voluntary offering and willing spirit. |
| Exod 35:25 | "And every skillful woman spun with her hands, and brought what she had spun... fine linen." | Women's skill in spinning fine materials. |
| Exod 36:6 | "So Moses gave command... no man or woman should make anything more... the material they had was sufficient, indeed more than enough." | Abundance of willing contributions. |
| Deut 8:18 | "You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth." | God is the source of all ability and provision. |
| Judg 4:4 | "Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time." | Women's significant roles in God's plan. |
| 1 Sam 2:3 | "Talk no more so very proudly... for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed." | God values intrinsic character and skill. |
| 2 Chr 29:31 | "Then Hezekiah said... 'Now that you have consecrated yourselves to the Lord, come near and bring sacrifices...'" | Willing hearts for consecrated service. |
| Pss 110:3 | "Your people will offer themselves freely on the day of your power..." | Willingness in God's service. |
| Prov 31:13 | "She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands." | Praises for a diligent and skillful woman. |
| Eccl 9:10 | "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might." | Principle of diligent work. |
| Isa 28:29 | "This also comes from the Lord of hosts; he is wonderful in counsel and excellent in wisdom." | All wisdom and skill originate from God. |
| Rom 12:6 | "Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them." | Diversity of gifts for service. |
| 1 Cor 12:7 | "To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good." | God gives skills and gifts for community benefit. |
| 1 Cor 12:11 | "All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills." | Holy Spirit distributes diverse abilities. |
| Eph 2:10 | "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works." | Believers are created for good works, reflecting skill. |
| Eph 4:11 | "And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers." | God equips His people for ministry. |
| Col 3:23 | "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men." | Working for the Lord with all heart. |
| Tit 2:4-5 | "Train the young women to love their husbands... diligent in home." | Importance of women's domestic and practical skills. |
| Heb 8:5 | "They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed." | Tabernacle as a shadow, requires specific skills. |
| Jas 1:5 | "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously." | God is the source of wisdom. |
Exodus 35 verses
Exodus 35 26 Meaning
Exodus 35:26 describes a specific act of contribution to the Tabernacle's construction: women, moved by an inward prompt and exercising their God-given wisdom and skill, spun goat's hair. This act highlights voluntary giving, the broad participation of the community, and the sanctity of everyday skills consecrated for God's purposes. The verse emphasizes that their expertise in crafting this particular material was considered an expression of divine wisdom, vital for creating parts of the sacred dwelling.
Exodus 35 26 Context
Exodus 35 describes the practical implementation of the commands regarding the Tabernacle construction and its furnishings, initially given in Exodus 25-31. Moses reiterates God's commands for the Sabbath (vv. 1-3) and then calls for contributions and skilled laborers for the sanctuary (vv. 4-19). This chapter stands as a pivotal moment where the Israelite community responds enthusiastically and generously to God's instructions for building His dwelling place among them. Verse 26, specifically, details the contributions of the women, showing their active and significant role alongside the men. The immediate preceding verse (35:25) mentions women spinning fine linen, setting the stage for the specific mention of goat's hair in verse 26, emphasizing the different types of skilled labor required for various parts of the Tabernacle's structure. Historically, these actions occurred after the Golden Calf incident (Exod 32), signifying a renewed commitment and willingness of the people to obey and worship God.
Exodus 35 26 Word analysis
- and: Connects this act with previous descriptions of contributions, signifying continuity and inclusiveness.
- all: Emphasizes the comprehensive participation; it was not a select few but a broad collective effort.
- the women: Specifies the gender contributing this particular skill, highlighting their vital role in community life and the Tabernacle's construction.
- whose heart: From the Hebrew, leb (לֵב), referring to the innermost being, encompassing mind, will, and emotions. It signifies inward motivation, willingness, and a personal sense of call or prompting, rather than compulsion.
- stirred them up: Derived from the Hebrew root nasa (נָשָׂא), meaning "to lift up," "to bear," or "to carry." In this context, it implies an elevation or awakening of the spirit, a rising inclination or impulse within them that prompted action. This inner stirring suggests a divinely inspired eagerness, reflecting God working through their willing spirits.
- in wisdom: From the Hebrew chokmah (חָכְמָה), which denotes skill, dexterity, ingenuity, and understanding, especially as applied to crafts and practical matters. In the context of the Tabernacle, this "wisdom" is often described as a Spirit-filled endowment from God (Exod 31:3), signifying not just human aptitude but a divinely inspired ability to perform intricate and excellent work for sacred purposes. It indicates that their skill was not merely acquired but imbued with a special quality.
- spun: Describes the specific action of transforming raw fibers into thread, a labor-intensive and skilled craft in ancient societies. It denotes their practical application of the wisdom mentioned.
- goat’s hair: This material was specific and crucial for the Tabernacle. Goat's hair was commonly used for tent cloth, especially the outermost coverings, known for its durability, water resistance, and relative coarseness compared to linen. Its mention signifies attention to detail in the materials required and the different levels of textile work involved in the project.
Words-group analysis:
- "all the women whose heart stirred them up": This phrase underlines the pervasive, voluntary, and heartfelt nature of the women's contribution. Their service was not coerced but flowed from a willing inner prompt. This contrasts sharply with the forced labor endured in Egypt, highlighting God's kingdom built on love and willingness.
- "stirred them up in wisdom spun": This combination highlights the divine interplay between internal motivation, God-given skill (chokmah), and the practical, laborious act of spinning. It conveys that their physical work was not mere drudgery but a Spirit-anointed endeavor, demonstrating that all consecrated labor, no matter how mundane it might seem, is infused with divine purpose.
- "in wisdom spun goat’s hair": This specific mention indicates the women's mastery over various textile techniques. While fine linen required delicate skill, spinning goat's hair into usable thread for durable coverings also demanded a particular type of expertise and strength, illustrating the breadth of practical chokmah distributed among the community.
Exodus 35 26 Bonus section
The specific mention of "goat's hair" (שֵׂעַזִּים, se'ar 'izzim) is significant. This material was integral for making the outermost tent covering of the Tabernacle, providing protection from the elements. While perhaps less glamorous than fine linen or gold, it was absolutely essential for the Tabernacle's functionality and durability. This underscores the truth that in God's service, no task or material is insignificant if it contributes to the overall purpose. The act of transforming coarse animal hair into a functional fabric for a sacred structure symbolizes how God takes ordinary things, even the humble and rugged, and consecrates them for His glory, often through the diligent and skilled work of His people. The inclusion of these women, recognized for their specific aptitude in working with such a practical material, demonstrates the diverse spectrum of abilities and efforts that are valued in the economy of God's kingdom.
Exodus 35 26 Commentary
Exodus 35:26 is a concise yet profound statement on consecrated contribution. It illuminates that Tabernacle construction was not solely a task for male artisans but included the valuable, Spirit-inspired skills of women. Their willingness (heart "stirred them up") was paramount, aligning with the principle established for all contributions to the Tabernacle (Exod 25:2; 35:21). The phrase "in wisdom" underscores that these were not ordinary domestic skills but abilities empowered by divine chokmah, enabling them to execute complex, sacred work with excellence. The spinning of "goat’s hair" specifies the practical material they handled, likely for the Tabernacle's outer coverings, which required robustness. This verse collectively portrays a community where every willing heart and God-given talent, regardless of gender or the perceived humility of the task or material, was honored and essential for building God's dwelling, demonstrating that God elevates all contributions offered with a willing and skilled spirit.