Exodus 35:8 - Printer Friendly

ESV: oil for the light, spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense,

NIV: olive oil for the light; spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense;

NASB: and oil for lighting, and spices for the anointing oil, and for the fragrant incense,

CSB: oil for the light; spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense;

NLT: olive oil for the lamps; spices for the anointing oil and the fragrant incense;

KJV: And oil for the light, and spices for anointing oil, and for the sweet incense,

NKJV: oil for the light, and spices for the anointing oil and for the sweet incense;

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.

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.

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.

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.

Accessed 8/31/2025 11:59:21 AM