Exodus 36 7

Exodus 36:7 kjv

For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the work to make it, and too much.

Exodus 36:7 nkjv

for the material they had was sufficient for all the work to be done?indeed too much.

Exodus 36:7 niv

because what they already had was more than enough to do all the work.

Exodus 36:7 esv

for the material they had was sufficient to do all the work, and more.

Exodus 36:7 nlt

Their contributions were more than enough to complete the whole project.

Exodus 36 verses

Exodus 36 7 Meaning

Exodus 36:7 reveals the remarkable abundance of the materials contributed by the Israelites for the construction of the Tabernacle. So great was their generosity and the resulting collection that the craftsmen found themselves with more than enough supplies for the entire work, to the point of having a significant surplus. This verse highlights the overwhelming willingness and generosity of the people of Israel in their offerings to the Lord for His dwelling place.

Exodus 36 7 Context

Exodus chapter 36 initiates the detailed construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings, a direct result of the commands given in previous chapters (Ex 25-31) and the collection of materials described in Exodus 35. Following the national failure with the golden calf (Ex 32), the people experienced a renewal of God's covenant and an outpouring of grace, prompting an unprecedented demonstration of collective zeal and generosity. Exodus 35 detailed the call for freewill offerings of specific materials and the identification of Bezalel and Oholiab as divinely gifted artisans. The immediate preceding verses (Ex 36:3-6) narrate how Moses received a daily influx of gifts from the people, to such an extent that the craftsmen themselves had to report to Moses that "the people bring much more than enough for the service of the work which the Lord commanded us to do." Exodus 36:7 then functions as the concluding confirmation and explanation for why Moses had to issue a unique proclamation for the people to stop giving. Historically, the Israelites were a nomadic people, recently freed from slavery, but this account illustrates that their experience of God's miraculous deliverance moved them to profound and collective worship and service, reversing the earlier pattern of grumbling and rebellion. This overwhelming abundance also serves as a subtle polemic against any notion that their God was impoverished or unable to provide, or that they lacked the capacity to carry out His divine instructions.

Exodus 36 7 Word analysis

• For: (כִּי, ki)
  • Significance: Functions as a causal conjunction, explaining the reason for the command to stop giving. It directly connects this verse to the artisans' report in the preceding verses.
  • Usage: Establishes a logical sequence: Because the material was sufficient and more, a command was issued.
• the stuff: (הַמְּלָאכָה, ha-m'lakhah)
  • Meaning: The Hebrew term means "the work," "the service," "the business," "the craft," or "the material/property used for work."
  • Significance: It's not just "stuff" as in raw materials, but encompasses all the prepared items, and importantly, the entire project of the Tabernacle's construction and furnishing. It refers to everything necessary for the designated purpose. This emphasizes that every aspect of the work was covered.
• they had: Implies that which the artisans and Moses already possessed or had gathered, referring to the totality of contributions.
• was sufficient: (דַּיָּם, dayyam)
  • Meaning: From the root דַּי (day), meaning "sufficiency," "enough," "ample," "that which is sufficient."
  • Significance: Denotes completeness and adequacy for the task at hand. It implies reaching the required measure, or even exceeding it. It signals the complete satisfaction of the needs for the project.
• and much more: (וְהוֹתֵר, v'hoter)
  • Meaning: From the root יָתַר (yatar), meaning "to be over and above," "to remain over," "to excel," "to exceed."
  • Significance: This phrase clearly indicates a surplus, an overflowing abundance beyond mere sufficiency. It emphasizes that not only was the need met, but it was abundantly exceeded, signifying remarkable generosity.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "For the stuff they had was sufficient": This phrase highlights the immediate situation for the artisans. It declares that the total inventory of collected materials, as well as the ongoing daily contributions, had reached the point of being entirely adequate for the construction project. This demonstrates the people's earnest commitment and the successful fulfillment of the call for offerings.
• "and much more than enough": This subsequent phrase dramatically amplifies the preceding statement. It goes beyond simple sufficiency to convey an overwhelming surplus. It speaks to an unexpected outpouring of generosity from the people, a measure of giving that far exceeded the estimated or anticipated requirements. This signifies an overflowing measure of giving that reflected hearts touched by God's grace and zeal for His dwelling place, setting an exceptional precedent in the narrative of Israel's journey. This double emphasis on "sufficient" and "much more" paints a vivid picture of divine abundance made possible by human willing obedience.

Exodus 36 7 Bonus section

• This rare command to cease giving marks a unique moment in biblical history, often contrasted with later instances of Israel's reluctance to give or their spiritual lukewarmness. It illustrates a high point of collective devotion.
• The overwhelming generosity showcased here reflects not only the people's willingness but also God's prior preparation of their hearts (Ex 35:21). It points to the truth that all true giving originates from what God has already given (1 Chr 29:14).
• This act of overflowing supply also prefigures the superabundant grace of the New Covenant, where God's provision for His people is always more than sufficient, making them instruments of His grace in turn.
• The incident serves as a spiritual lesson: true generosity, especially when directed toward God's purposes, often results in unexpected and abundant blessing, leading to "much more" than initially envisioned.

Exodus 36 7 Commentary

Exodus 36:7 is a profound testament to the extraordinary generosity and willing heart of the Israelites for the construction of the Tabernacle. Far from merely meeting the necessary requirements, the people contributed an overwhelming surplus, leading to the remarkable situation where Moses had to issue a command to stop giving. This unique event highlights several key biblical principles. Firstly, it underscores God's ability to stir the hearts of His people to participate in His divine work with incredible zeal, transforming a recently enslaved and often grumbling people into zealous contributors. Secondly, it beautifully illustrates the principle of abundant supply when God's people respond obediently and sacrificially. Their collective offerings, prompted by divinely inspired wisdom in Bezalel and Oholiab and administered by Moses, produced a magnificent overflow. This event serves as a practical example that when God's people genuinely commit their resources to His kingdom, the supply not only meets the need but often far surpasses it, reflecting God's own overflowing nature. It counters the worldly perspective of scarcity, demonstrating divine sufficiency in the face of human generosity.