Exodus 36 6

Exodus 36:6 kjv

And Moses gave commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, Let neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary. So the people were restrained from bringing.

Exodus 36:6 nkjv

So Moses gave a commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, "Let neither man nor woman do any more work for the offering of the sanctuary." And the people were restrained from bringing,

Exodus 36:6 niv

Then Moses gave an order and they sent this word throughout the camp: "No man or woman is to make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary." And so the people were restrained from bringing more,

Exodus 36:6 esv

So Moses gave command, and word was proclaimed throughout the camp, "Let no man or woman do anything more for the contribution for the sanctuary." So the people were restrained from bringing,

Exodus 36:6 nlt

So Moses gave the command, and this message was sent throughout the camp: "Men and women, don't prepare any more gifts for the sanctuary. We have enough!" So the people stopped bringing their sacred offerings.

Exodus 36 verses

Exodus 36 6 Meaning

Exodus 36:6 details an unprecedented command from Moses to halt further offerings for the construction of the Tabernacle. Due to the overwhelming and more than sufficient generosity of the Israelite people, the excess materials had reached a point where Moses needed to specifically instruct them, through a public proclamation across the camp, to cease bringing their contributions. This directive indicates a superabundance of resources, enabling the workers to proceed with building the sanctuary without needing more.

Exodus 36 6 Context

Exodus Chapter 36 marks a pivotal stage in the construction of the Tabernacle. Following God's detailed instructions given to Moses on Mount Sinai (Exod 25-31) and Moses' subsequent relaying of these commands to the Israelites (Exod 35), the people respond with extraordinary enthusiasm and generosity. Chapter 35 describes the call for contributions and the immediate, willing response from "everyone whose heart stirred him" (Exod 35:21) and "everyone whose spirit was willing" (Exod 35:29). This widespread and fervent giving of gold, silver, bronze, fabrics, and other precious materials leads directly to the situation described in 36:6. The historical context is shortly after the Exodus from Egypt, during their encampment at the foot of Mount Sinai. The purpose of the Tabernacle was to provide a portable dwelling place for God's presence among His people, distinct from the polytheistic practices and idolatrous temples of Egypt they had left behind. The abundance of materials here stands as a testament to God's providence (He had ensured they left Egypt with riches) and the people's redeemed willingness, a stark contrast to their later sin with the golden calf.

Exodus 36 6 Word analysis

• And Moses gave commandment:

  • And: Connects this action directly to the preceding narrative of abundant bringing (Exod 36:3-5).
  • Moses: The appointed leader and prophet, uniquely positioned to receive and convey God's will to the people. His authority here is decisive.
  • gave commandment (וַיְצַו, wa-yĕṣaw): From the root צָוָה (tsawah), meaning "to command, order, ordain." This indicates a firm, authoritative instruction, not merely a suggestion. It signifies an act of governing and managing resources, rather than an impulsive reaction. Moses exercises wise stewardship.

• and they proclaimed throughout the camp:

  • they proclaimed (וַיַּעֲבִ֔ירוּ ק֣וֹל, wa-yaʿăbīrū qōl - literally "they caused a voice to pass over"): This indicates an official, public announcement, possibly through heralds or appointed individuals who circulated among the various tribal encampments. The word for "proclaimed" (from עָבַר, ʿavar - to pass over, go through) emphasizes its spread across the entire assembly. This ensures universal awareness.
  • throughout the camp: Emphasizes the wide dissemination of the command, reaching every Israelite family and individual who might otherwise continue to give.

• saying, Let neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary:

  • Let neither man nor woman: Explicitly inclusive, ensuring everyone understood the directive applied to them, regardless of gender. This mirrors the previous calls for offering, where both men and women brought contributions (Exod 35:22, 29).
  • make any more work (לֹא־יַעֲשׂוּ־ע֥וֹד מְלָאכָה, lōʾ yaʿăśū-ʿōd mĕlāʾḵâ): Literally, "not do again work." This isn't just about contributions of materials, but stopping the effort or labor involved in preparing and bringing the offerings. It highlights the cessation of activity. The term for "work" (mĕlāʾḵâ) can refer to skilled labor, craft, or even just general effort.
  • for the offering (לִתְרוּמַ֖ת, litrumat): From תְּרוּמָה (tĕrumah), meaning "a contribution, offering, gift," often specifically an offering lifted up or set apart. This word frequently refers to gifts for sacred purposes. It implies the designated sacred purpose of these materials.
  • of the sanctuary (הַקֹּדֶשׁ, haqqōdeš - more literally "the holiness" or "the holy thing"): While often rendered "sanctuary," the Hebrew qōdeš refers to sacredness or holiness itself, signifying that the offerings were for the construction of a holy place dedicated to God. This sets the Tabernacle apart from any pagan temple, whose "offerings" would have been for false gods. The implication is that God's holiness demands appropriate, and in this case, abundant, provision.

• So the people were restrained from bringing.

  • So: Indicates a direct consequence of the command and proclamation.
  • the people: Refers to all the Israelites.
  • were restrained (וַיִּכָּלְא֖וּ, wayyikkālʾū): From כָּלָא (kālaʾ), meaning "to restrain, hold back, confine, stop." The passive form signifies that they were caused to cease. This isn't a reluctant or forced cessation, but an obedient halt to their spontaneous giving, recognizing that enough had been collected. It's a divinely ordained limit to their generosity, demonstrating wisdom and efficient management of resources for a sacred project.
  • from bringing (מֵהָבִֽיא, mêhāḇî): Explicitly stating that the cessation was of the act of bringing offerings.

Exodus 36 6 Bonus section

This verse uniquely highlights the theme of sufficiency in God's economy. While Scripture often calls for consistent giving (e.g., tithes, freewill offerings), this is a rare instance where the directive is to stop giving due to an overwhelming surplus. It speaks to the ideal outcome of God-led generosity: provision that not only meets but exceeds the requirement. This challenges the modern mindset that often perceives a perpetual lack or need for more resources in spiritual endeavors. Furthermore, the explicit inclusion of "man nor woman" for the command reflects the prior participation of both genders in contributing, showing equality in their roles and willingness. The people's restraint indicates an admirable level of obedience and trust in Moses' leadership, accepting that their continued devotion did not necessarily require further material output once the goal was met. This also implicitly protects against potentially obsessive or competitive giving, emphasizing the purposeful and needs-based nature of the Tabernacle's construction.

Exodus 36 6 Commentary

Exodus 36:6 is remarkable because it portrays a scenario rarely found in human endeavors: a voluntary, widespread offering for a sacred cause that results in a superabundance, compelling leadership to halt further contributions. This speaks volumes about the transformed hearts of the Israelites following their deliverance from Egypt. Their generosity here reflects true piety and enthusiasm for God's dwelling place among them, a stark contrast to their earlier complaints and later idolatry. Moses' action to cease offerings demonstrates wise and responsible stewardship; he recognized that excess accumulation was unnecessary and potentially wasteful. It underscores that God's work, when met with a willing and generous spirit, will always have more than enough resources. It's a powerful lesson in sufficiency and proper management, illustrating that God does not require us to give until exhaustion or in redundancy, but rather values a cheerful and timely provision that meets the need precisely, even if it results in an overflow. This divine provision, channeled through human generosity, stands as a testament to God's power and ability to accomplish His purposes.