Exodus 36:5 - Printer Friendly

ESV: and said to Moses, "The people bring much more than enough for doing the work that the Lord has commanded us to do."

NIV: and said to Moses, "The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work the Lord commanded to be done."

NASB: and they said to Moses, 'The people are bringing much more than enough for the construction work which the Lord commanded us to perform.'

CSB: and said to Moses, "The people are bringing more than is needed for the construction of the work the Lord commanded to be done."

NLT: They went to Moses and reported, 'The people have given more than enough materials to complete the job the Lord has commanded us to do!'

KJV: And they spake unto Moses, saying, The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work, which the Lord commanded to make.

NKJV: and they spoke to Moses, saying, “The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work which the Lord commanded us to do.”

Exodus 36:2–7 describes the Israelites' willingness to work under Oholiab and Bezalel (Exodus 35:30, 34). These are the men assigned to supervise construction of the tabernacle (Exodus 25:8–9). The people's enthusiasm creates a flood of donations. Moses eventually asks them to stop contributing because the project already has more than enough material.

Israel responds to the call for donations with enthusiasm. The people are so eager to donate that Moses must command the people to stop giving. Working under Bezalel, skilled workers begin following God's instructions for crafting the tabernacle (Exodus 25—31). Most of these descriptions repeat the exact wording from God's command, rephrased as what Israel actually did.

After renewing the covenant (Exodus 34), Moses is passing along the Lord's commands regarding the tabernacle (Exodus 25:8–9). This began with a call for materials and recently included the appointment of Bezalel and Oholiab to supervise the project (Exodus 35). This and following chapters (Exodus 37—39) record Israel following those original instructions very closely. The text is virtually identical to the written designs recorded earlier (Exodus 25—31).

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 9/15/2025 6:45:51 AM