Exodus · Chapter 35

Verse 1. And Moses gathered] The principal subjects in this chapter have been already largely considered in the notes on chapters 25., 26., 27., 28., 29., 30., and 31., and to those the reader is particularly desired to refer, together with the parallel texts in the margin.

THE SABBATH, 1-3.

1. These are the words — The plan of the tabernacle which had been given Moses in the mount had not yet been communicated to Israel. Moses now assembles all the congregation, and makes known how Jehovah would have them prepare for him a sanctuary.

V. 2. Six days shall work be done-Work for the tabernacle, but on the seventh day-You must not strike a stroke, no not at the tabernacle-work; the honour of the sabbath was above that of the sanctuary.

Verse 2. Six days shall work be done — Work for the tabernacle, but on the seventh day they must not strike a stroke, no, not at the tabernacle work; the honour of the sabbath was above that of the sanctuary.

2. The seventh day… a sabbath of rest — The purpose of this repetition of the sabbath law was probably to prevent any attempt to carry forward the work of the tabernacle on the holy day. See note on Exodus 31:13.

V. 3. Ye shall kindle no fire-For any servile work, as that of smiths or plumbers. We do not find that ever this prohibition extended farther.

Verse 3. Ye shall kindle no fire] The Jews understand this precept as forbidding the kindling of fire only for the purpose of doing work or dressing victuals; but to give them light and heat, they judge it lawful to light a fire on the Sabbath day, though themselves rarely kindle it-they get Christians to do this work for them.

Verse 3. Ye shall kindle no fire — For any servile work; throughout your habitations — No, not for the service of the tabernacle, as for the heating of tools, or the melting of metals, or other things belonging to it; which being made for God’s service, and deserving and requiring all expedition, they might probably conceive that such work might be done upon that day. And here also, as often elsewhere, under one kind of work, lighting a fire, every other kind is comprehended and forbidden. It is justly observed by Mr. Scott here, “If the kindling of fires in general on the sabbath days be here understood to be prohibited, it must either be viewed as a mere temporary institution, to continue only during the time when the people were miraculously provided for in the wilderness; or that some exceptions were allowed in favour of the sick, infirm, and children, who must suffer extremely, at some seasons, even in warm climates, for want of fire; or that a fire which was burning might be kept up, though a fresh one might not be kindled.” It is remarkable that “the subsequent parts of Scripture give no light on this subject,” further than that, “among the various instances recorded of the Israelites being reproved, and individuals punished, for neglecting to sanctify the sabbath, this is not once mentioned. The modern Jews understand the prohibition literally, yet they use fires in various ways on the sabbath, but employ other persons to kindle them, or to keep them up.”

Verse 3. No fire. The manna being prepared on the preseding night, they had no need of fires for dressing their food, Exodus 16:29; and fires for furnaces and other works are here expressly forbidden. Some think that this precept was temporary, and respected only the time they dwelt in the desert: but I see no authority for limiting the precept to that period. Be that as it may, the law was not absolutely observed among the Jews, as appears from the diversity of opinion among the rabbins on the subject; and it was never considered as binding on the christian church. In the colder regions of Europe, our little infants and sick people require the indulgence of a fire: nevertheless, as God has twice written the law of the sabbath with his own hand, we may mark its sanctity to be immutable and inviolably great.

3. Kindle no fire — This prohibition is implied in Exodus 16:23, but is here first formally enunciated. The offence recorded in Numbers 15:32-36, looked toward the violation of this commandment.

THE OFFERINGS FOR THE SANCTUARY, 4-29.

Verses 5 - 6. See, on these metals and colours, Exodus 25:3,4. &c.

5-9. An offering — See notes on Exodus 25:2-7.

Verses 5 - 6. See, on these metals and colours, Exodus 25:3,4. &c.

5-9. An offering — See notes on Exodus 25:2-7.

Verse 7. Rams’ skins, &c.] See Exodus 25:5.

5-9. An offering — See notes on Exodus 25:2-7.

Verse 8. Oil for the light] See Exodus 25:6.

5-9. An offering — See notes on Exodus 25:2-7.

Verse 9. Onyx stones] See Exodus 25:7.

5-9. An offering — See notes on Exodus 25:2-7.

10. Wise hearted — See note on Exodus 28:3.

Verse 11. The tabernacle] See Exodus 25:8.

11-19. The tabernacle, etc. — These different parts of the sanctuary and the sacred vessels are illustrated in notes on chaps. 25-28.

Verse 12. The ark] See Exodus 25:10-17.

11-19. The tabernacle, etc. — These different parts of the sanctuary and the sacred vessels are illustrated in notes on chaps. 25-28.

Verse 13. The table] See Exodus 25:23-28.

11-19. The tabernacle, etc. — These different parts of the sanctuary and the sacred vessels are illustrated in notes on chaps. 25-28.

Verse 14. The candlestick] See Exodus 25:31-39.

11-19. The tabernacle, etc. — These different parts of the sanctuary and the sacred vessels are illustrated in notes on chaps. 25-28.

Verse 15. The incense altar] The golden altar, see Exodus 30:1-10.

11-19. The tabernacle, etc. — These different parts of the sanctuary and the sacred vessels are illustrated in notes on chaps. 25-28.

Verse 16. The altar of burnt-offering] The brazen altar, see Exodus 27:1-8.

11-19. The tabernacle, etc. — These different parts of the sanctuary and the sacred vessels are illustrated in notes on chaps. 25-28.

Verse 17. The hangings of the court] See Exodus 27:9.

11-19. The tabernacle, etc. — These different parts of the sanctuary and the sacred vessels are illustrated in notes on chaps. 25-28.

11-19. The tabernacle, etc. — These different parts of the sanctuary and the sacred vessels are illustrated in notes on chaps. 25-28.

Verse 19. The clothes of service] Probably aprons, towels, and such like, used in the common service, and different from the vestments for Aaron and his sons. See these latter described Exodus 28:1, &c.

11-19. The tabernacle, etc. — These different parts of the sanctuary and the sacred vessels are illustrated in notes on chaps. 25-28.

V. 21. Every one whom his spirit made willing-What they did they did chearfully. They were willing; and it was not any external inducement that made them so, but their spirits. It was from a principle of love to God, and his service; a desire of his presence with them by his ordinances; gratitude for the great things he had done for them; and faith in his promises of what he would do further.

Verse 21. Every one whose heart stirred him up] Literally, whose heart was lifted up-whose affections were set on the work, being cordially engaged in the service of God.

Verses 21, 22. Every one whom his spirit made willing — What they did they did cheerfully. They were willing; and it was not any external inducement that made them so, but their spirits. It was from a principle of love to God and his service; a desire of his presence with them by his ordinances, gratitude for the great things he had done for them, and faith in his promises of what he would do further.

21. Every one whom his spirit made willing — Were there, then, some who failed to assist in thus providing for the work of the tabernacle? So one may naturally infer from the form of statement here recorded. This would only accord with what is noticeable in all periods of the history of God’s people. In times of highest enthusiasm and self-consecration, there will be found some heartless hangers on.

V. 22. Tablets or Lockets.

Verse 22. As many as were willing-hearted] For no one was forced to lend his help in this sacred work; all was a free-will offering to the Lord. Bracelets] jj chach, whatever hooks together; ornaments for the wrists, arms, legs, or neck.

Ear-rings] נזם nezem, see this explained Genesis 24:22. Rings] t[bc tabbaath, from ybc taba, to penetrate, enter into; probably rings for the fingers.

Tablets] zmwk cumaz, a word only used here and in Numbers 31:50, supposed to be a girdle to support the breasts.

Verses 21, 22. Every one whom his spirit made willing — What they did they did cheerfully. They were willing; and it was not any external inducement that made them so, but their spirits. It was from a principle of love to God and his service; a desire of his presence with them by his ordinances, gratitude for the great things he had done for them, and faith in his promises of what he would do further.

22. Both men and women — As if anticipating the New Testament idea, that in the life and fellowship of God there is neither male nor female. Galatians 3:28. But in the making of this sanctuary, as in building the Christian Church, there is work both for men and women. As there are some kinds of work suitable only for men and not for women, so there are other kinds suitable only for women and not for men. So, too, it may be in the Christian Church. Bracelets — The exact meaning of the word (jj) thus translated is not certain. It has been rendered by brooches, hooks, chains, clasps, nose-jewel. Earrings — See on Exodus 32:2. Rings — Probably signet rings. See note on Genesis 41:42. Tablets — Occurs only here and Numbers 31:50, and is of uncertain meaning. It has been variously explained, as armlets, necklaces, beads, lockets.

Verse 25. All the women that were wise-hearted did spin] They had before learned this art, they were wise-hearted; and now they practise it, and God condescends to require and accept their services. In building this house of God, all were ambitious to do something by which they might testify their piety to God, and their love for his worship. The spinning practised at this time was simple, and required little apparatus. It was the plain distaff or twirling pin, which might be easily made out of any wood they met with in the wilderness.

25. Women… did spin — This appears to have been the business of women among the Egyptians and other ancient nations. The fact that the wise hearted women did this work shows that it was a labour requiring skill.

Verse 27. The rulers brought onyx stones] These being persons of consequence, might be naturally expected to furnish the more scarce and costly articles. See how all join in this service! The men worked and brought offerings, the women spun and brought their ornaments, the rulers united with them, and delivered up their jewels! and all the children of Israel brought a willing offering unto the Lord, Exodus 35:29.

V. 30. The Lord hath called Bezaleel-And those whom God called by name to this service, he filled with the spirit of God, to qualify them for it. The work was extraordinary which Bezaleel was designed for, and therefore he was qualified in an extraordinary manner for it. Thus when the apostles were appointed to be master-builders in setting up the gospel-tabernacle, they were filled with the spirit of God in wisdom and understanding.

Verse 30. The Lord hath called by name Bezaleel] See this subject discussed at large in the note on Exodus 28:3, See Clarke’s note on “Exodus 28:3”, where the subject of superseding the work of the hand by the extra use of machinery is particularly considered.

1. FROM the nature of the offerings made for the service of the tabernacle, we see of what sort the spoils were which the Israelites brought out of Egypt: gold, silver, brass, blue, purple, scarlet, fine linen, rams’ skins dyed red, what we call badgers’ skins, oil, spices, incense, onyx stones, and other stones, the names of which are not here mentioned. They must also have brought looms, spinning wheels, instruments for cutting precious stones, anvils, hammers, furnaces, melting-pots, with a vast variety of tools for the different artists employed on the work of the tabernacle, viz., smiths, joiners, carvers, gilders, &c.

2. God could have erected his tabernacle without the help or skill of man; but he condescended to employ him. As all are interested in the worship of God, so all should bear a part in it; here God employs the whole congregation: every male and female, with even their sons and their daughters, and the very ornaments of their persons, are given to raise and adorn the house of God. The women who had not ornaments, and could neither give gold nor silver, could spin goat’s hair, and the Lord graciously employs them in this work, and accepts what they can give and what they can do, for they did it with a willing mind; they were wise of heart-had learned a useful business, their hearts were lifted up in the work, Exodus 35:21, and all felt it a high privilege to be able to put only a nail in the holy place. By the free-will offerings of the people the tabernacle was erected, and all the costly utensils belonging to it provided. This was the primitive mode of providing proper places for Divine worship; and as it was the primitive, so it is the most rational mode. Taxes levied by law for building or repairing churches were not known in the ancient times of religious simplicity. It is an honour to be permitted to do any thing for the support of public worship; and he must have a strange, unfeeling, and ungodly heart, who does not esteem it a high privilege to have a stone of his own laying or procuring in the house of God. How easily might all the buildings necessary for the purpose of public worship be raised, if the money that is spent in needless self-indulgence by ourselves, our sons, and our daughters, were devoted to this purpose! By sacrifices of this kind the house of the Lord would be soon built, and the top-stone brought on with shouting, Grace, grace unto it!

EXODUS

Verse 30. The Lord hath called Bezaleel — And those whom God called by name to this service, he filled with the Spirit of God, to qualify them for it. The work was extraordinary which Bezaleel was designed for, and therefore he was qualified in an extraordinary manner for it. Thus when the apostles were appointed to be master-builders in setting up the gospel tabernacle, they were filled with the Spirit of God in wisdom and understanding.