What does Exodus 35:4 mean?
ESV: Moses said to all the congregation of the people of Israel, "This is the thing that the Lord has commanded.
NIV: Moses said to the whole Israelite community, "This is what the Lord has commanded:
NASB: Moses spoke to all the congregation of the sons of Israel, saying, 'This is the thing which the Lord has commanded, saying,
CSB: Then Moses said to the entire Israelite community, "This is what the Lord has commanded:
NLT: Then Moses said to the whole community of Israel, 'This is what the Lord has commanded:
KJV: And Moses spake unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which the Lord commanded, saying,
NKJV: And Moses spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, “This is the thing which the Lord commanded, saying:
Verse Commentary:
Please see our chapter commentary on Exodus 35; verse-level content coming soon!
Verse Context:
Exodus 35:4–9 calls on Israel to donate materials for the tabernacle (Exodus 25:8–9). This repeats the list provided by God in Exodus 25:1–7.
Chapter Summary:
The tabernacle-building project begins with a reminder about Sabbath-keeping. The subtext is that even temple-building work is still "work," and cannot be done on the Sabbath. Using nearly the exact same words from prior passages, Scripture records the people donating materials. Moses assigns Bezalel and Oholiab as project managers, training and overseeing as Israelites create sacred objects.
Chapter Context:
The Lord gave Moses extensive designs for the tabernacle (Exodus 25—31). He has just renewed the covenant (Exodus 34) broken by Israelite sin (Exodus 32). Now, Moses begins repeating these instructions to the people. The next several chapters will record Israel following God's directions closely, completing the sanctuary.
Book Summary:
The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.
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