Exodus 35 4

Exodus 35:4 kjv

And Moses spake unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which the LORD commanded, saying,

Exodus 35:4 nkjv

And Moses spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, "This is the thing which the LORD commanded, saying:

Exodus 35:4 niv

Moses said to the whole Israelite community, "This is what the LORD has commanded:

Exodus 35:4 esv

Moses said to all the congregation of the people of Israel, "This is the thing that the LORD has commanded.

Exodus 35:4 nlt

Then Moses said to the whole community of Israel, "This is what the LORD has commanded:

Exodus 35 verses

Exodus 35 4 Meaning

Exodus 35:4 establishes Moses as the authoritative mouthpiece of God, relaying divine instructions to the entire assembled community of Israel. This verse signifies the solemn and direct communication of the LORD's precise will, marking the initiation of the collective work for the Tabernacle's construction and service, emphasizing that all subsequent actions must stem from divine command, not human initiative.

Exodus 35 4 Context

Exodus 35:4 marks a pivotal moment after a period of intense crisis and renewal for the Israelite community. Following their sin with the golden calf (Exo 32), Moses had interceded for the people, and God mercifully renewed His covenant (Exo 33-34). This verse now initiates the practical steps for constructing the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary where God would dwell among His people. It echoes and reinvokes the instructions originally given to Moses on Mount Sinai in Exodus 25-31. The "congregation of the children of Israel" gathering here represents the re-established unity and renewed commitment of the covenant community, ready to receive and act upon the divine commands essential for their proper worship and walk with God in the wilderness. The preceding verses in Exodus 35 lay out the Sabbath command, underscoring its foundational importance even amidst intense building work.

Exodus 35 4 Word analysis

• And: This conjunctive word links the previous narrative of covenant renewal and the Sabbath command to the forthcoming instructions for the Tabernacle. It signifies continuity and direct progression from God's forgiveness and re-engagement with Israel.
• Moses: מֹשֶׁה (Mosheh). The divinely appointed leader, prophet, and mediator for Israel. His authority is derived solely from God's direct commission, emphasizing the chain of command: God to Moses to Israel. This highlights his unique role in receiving and transmitting the divine law and plans.
• spake: דִּבֵּר (dibber) from the root דָּבַר (davar). This term denotes authoritative, deliberate speech, often a formal declaration or command, rather than casual conversation. It signifies that Moses is not merely talking but proclaiming a solemn divine message.
• unto all the congregation: אֶל כָּל עֲדַת (el kol edah).
  • all: כָּל (kol). Emphasizes that the command was directed to every single member of the Israelite community, not just leaders, priests, or certain families. This underlines universal responsibility and participation in God's work.
  • the congregation: עֵדָה (edah). Refers to the assembled multitude, the entire covenant community, the people of Israel as a corporate body. This highlights their unity and collective responsibility before God, distinguishing them as an organized body bound by covenant, not just a random group.
• of the children of Israel: בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל (b'nei Yisrael). Lit. "sons of Israel." This term specifies the identity of the assembled "congregation" as the entire nation, the descendants of Jacob (Israel), highlighting their national identity and their unique relationship with YHWH as His covenant people.
• saying, לֵאמֹר (le'mor). This introductory particle frequently precedes direct speech or quoted words in Hebrew. It signals that what follows is a verbatim report, adding solemnity and confirming the precise transmission of the message from God to Moses to the people.
• This is the thing: זֶה הַדָּבָר (zeh hadavar).
  • This: זֶה (zeh). Points to the specific, definite set of instructions about to be revealed, not some general idea.
  • the thing: הַדָּבָר (hadavar). From the same root as "spake" (דָּבַר). Here it means "the word," "the matter," "the decree," or "the instruction." It emphasizes that what follows is a concrete, precise directive, representing God's active will and purpose. It is not vague or negotiable.
• which the LORD: אֲשֶׁר צִוָּה יְהוָה (asher tzivah YHWH).
  • the LORD: יְהוָֹה (YHWH). The covenant name of God, often translated as "LORD" (in all caps) in English Bibles. This emphasizes His personal relationship with Israel and His unique authority as their God, distinct from any pagan deity. He is the ultimate source of these commands.
  • commanded: צִוָּה (tzivah) from the root צָוָה (tzavah). This verb conveys a strong, binding imperative. It signifies an authoritative order, a directive that is to be obeyed without question. It implies divine law and an obligation from a superior to a subordinate.
• saying, לֵאמֹר (le'mor). This repeated particle re-emphasizes that the message being delivered is precisely what the LORD Himself commanded. It ensures the divine origin and authoritative nature of every subsequent detail given for the Tabernacle project, reinforcing its infallibility and the necessity of exact adherence.

Words-group analysis:

• "And Moses spake unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying": This opening phrase establishes the clear line of communication from divine authority to human reception. It highlights Moses's unique mediatorial role and emphasizes the collective and universal scope of the divine message—everyone in the community is to hear and be accountable for these commands, fostering unity in purpose and action.
• "This is the thing which the LORD commanded, saying": This crucial phrase immediately clarifies the ultimate source and nature of the subsequent instructions. It underlines that these are not Moses's ideas or human conventions but direct, authoritative mandates from YHWH Himself. The repetition of "saying" serves as a solemn seal of divine authorship and ensures that the instructions are understood as absolute and unchangeable. It firmly sets the foundation for complete obedience and warns against deviation.

Exodus 35 4 Bonus section

The structure of Exodus 35 mirrors the original instruction in Exodus 25-31, but with a crucial difference: it transitions from revelation (God speaking to Moses) to command (Moses speaking to the people) and then to execution (the people responding and building). This reiteration signifies the absolute importance of the Tabernacle and marks the re-establishment of a right relationship between God and His people, after their covenant breach. The act of gathering "all the congregation" (Exo 35:1) before receiving these instructions underscores God's desire for communal involvement in His work. This stands in stark contrast to the prior impulsive and exclusive actions taken by portions of the people in the golden calf incident (Exo 32). This verse firmly places the upcoming actions of generosity, skilled craftsmanship, and meticulous building within the framework of divine command, establishing a pattern of worship and service that would define Israel's walk with God.

Exodus 35 4 Commentary

Exodus 35:4 serves as a critical bridge between God's renewed covenant with Israel after the golden calf incident and the practical implementation of His dwelling place among them. Moses, as God's chosen messenger, authoritatively addresses the entire community, emphasizing that the instructions for the Tabernacle and its services originate solely from YHWH. This declaration sets the theological framework: all aspects of worship and service are by divine decree, not human ingenuity or preference. This reinforces God's sovereignty, establishes the absolute nature of His commands, and requires universal participation and obedience from His people. It acts as a clear antithesis to the spontaneous and self-directed idolatry of the golden calf, by stressing the necessity of doing precisely "what the LORD commanded." The repetition of "saying" underscores the accuracy and divine authority of Moses's transmission, preparing the people for the detailed instructions on giving, craftsmanship, and holy work that follow. This divine command necessitates a unified, Spirit-empowered, and intentional response from all.