Exodus 35:26

KJV

And all the women whose heart stirred them up in wisdom spun goats' [hair].

KJV (with Strong's)

And all the women {H802} whose heart {H3820} stirred {H5375} them up in wisdom {H2451} spun {H2901} goats {H5795}' hair.

Complete Jewish Bible

Likewise the women whose heart stirred them to use their skill spun the goat's hair.

Berean Standard Bible

And all the skilled women whose hearts were stirred spun the goat hair.

American Standard Version

And all the women whose heart stirred them up in wisdom spun the goats’ hair.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 35:26 vividly portrays the willing and divinely-empowered participation of Israelite women in the construction of the Tabernacle. This verse specifically highlights their skilled contribution of spinning goats' hair, a crucial material for the sacred dwelling's coverings. It underscores that every individual, regardless of gender or specific skill, was called to contribute their gifts with a heart stirred by devotion and God-given wisdom towards the communal worship and dwelling place of the Lord.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Exodus 35:26 is situated within the broader narrative detailing the free-will offerings and skilled labor contributed by the Israelites for the Tabernacle's construction. Following Moses' reiteration of God's commands for the Tabernacle's building found in [Exodus 35:1-19](/exodus/35-1-19 "Exodus 35:1-19 - Moses' Call for Tabernacle Contributions"), the people respond with overwhelming generosity and zeal. The passage from [Exodus 35:20-29](/exodus/35-20-29 "Exodus 35:20-29 - The People's Generous Response to the Call") meticulously lists the various materials brought—gold, silver, bronze, blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, fine linen, goats' hair, ram skins, acacia wood, and precious stones—and the specific individuals or groups responsible for their preparation. This verse, therefore, focuses on the women's unique and indispensable role in preparing the textile components, particularly the goats' hair, which was essential for the Tabernacle's outer coverings as described in [Exodus 26:7](/exodus/26-7 "Exodus 26:7 - Goats' Hair for the Tabernacle Tent"). It emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the community's involvement, from the most valuable metals to the most common fibers.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern societies, and particularly in Israel, textile production was primarily the domain of women. Spinning was a laborious but fundamental task, transforming raw fibers into usable thread, a skill often passed down through generations. The "goats' hair" mentioned here was likely from the black goats common in the region, known for producing a coarse but durable fiber suitable for tent-making and protective coverings, essential for a nomadic people. The Tabernacle was designed to be a portable sanctuary, mirroring the Israelites' journey through the wilderness. Its construction required vast quantities of diverse materials and highly specialized skills. The call for "free-will offerings" (as seen in [Exodus 35:5](/exodus/35-5 "Exodus 35:5 - The Call for Free-Will Offerings")) was a significant departure from forced labor, emphasizing a community-wide, voluntary, and Spirit-inspired effort. This context highlights the profound spiritual significance placed on every aspect of the Tabernacle's creation, from the most precious metals to the seemingly mundane task of spinning hair, all consecrated to God's glory.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within Exodus. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **communal participation and generosity** in worship, demonstrating that the entire community, men and women alike, contributed willingly to God's dwelling place. This contrasts sharply with the forced labor endured in Egypt, highlighting a new covenantal relationship built on voluntary service. Secondly, it emphasizes **divine enablement and wisdom**, showing that the skills required for the Tabernacle's construction were not merely human talents but divinely imparted abilities, as explicitly stated for master craftsmen like Bezalel and Oholiab in [Exodus 35:30-35](/exodus/35-30-35 "Exodus 35:30-35 - God Equips Bezalel and Oholiab"). The women's "wisdom" in spinning suggests a similar divine impartation for their specific craft. Finally, it reinforces the theme of **God's meticulous provision and design**, where even seemingly humble materials and tasks were integral to the sacred structure, reflecting God's detailed instructions for His presence among His people (e.g., [Exodus 25:1-9](/exodus/25-1-9 "Exodus 25:1-9 - Instructions for the Tabernacle Offerings")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Heart stirred them up (Hebrew, _lêb nâsâʼ'_):** This phrase combines H3820 (_lêb_), referring to the heart as the seat of feelings, will, and intellect, and H5375 (_nâsâʼ_), a primitive root meaning "to lift" or "to stir up." Together, they convey a profound sense of inner compulsion, enthusiasm, and a deep-seated willingness that originates from within the individual. It signifies an action that is not coerced but springs from an inward motivation and generosity, aligning with the principle of a "willing heart" for contributions to the Tabernacle. This highlights the spiritual dimension of their labor—it was an act of devotion and eager participation.
* **Wisdom (Hebrew, _chokmâh'_):** From H2451, _chokmâh_ denotes practical skill, technical expertise, and craftsmanship. While often associated with intellectual insight, here it specifically refers to the specialized knowledge and dexterity required for intricate tasks like spinning and weaving. Crucially, in the Tabernacle narrative, this wisdom is often presented as a divine endowment, as seen with Bezalel and Oholiab. Thus, the women's ability to spin "in wisdom" suggests not merely natural talent but a God-given aptitude for the sacred work, elevating their craftsmanship to a divinely enabled art.
* **Spun (Hebrew, _ṭâvâh'_):** From H2901, _ṭâvâh_ is a primitive root meaning "to spin." This word precisely describes the manual process of twisting fibers into thread, a foundational step in textile production. Its inclusion emphasizes the specific, tangible skill the women contributed, highlighting the practical yet essential nature of their labor in preparing the raw materials for the Tabernacle's coverings.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And all the women":** This phrase emphasizes the collective and universal participation of the female members of the community. It highlights that women were not passive observers but active, vital contributors to the central religious project of their time. Their inclusion underscores the holistic nature of the community's response to God's call, demonstrating that every segment of society was invited and empowered to contribute.
* **"whose heart stirred them up":** This clause speaks to the internal motivation and voluntary nature of their service. Their contribution was not a burden or a command to be grudgingly fulfilled, but an enthusiastic response born from a willing and devoted spirit. This internal impetus is key to understanding the quality and acceptance of their offering before God, signifying a deep personal investment in the sacred work.
* **"in wisdom spun":** This part of the verse points to the skill and expertise involved in their task. Spinning was a highly specialized craft, requiring precision and knowledge of materials. The mention of "wisdom" elevates their labor beyond mere manual work, suggesting a divinely-enabled aptitude for the intricate and essential task of preparing the fibers for the Tabernacle's coverings. This implies that their proficiency was not just innate talent but a gift from God for His purposes.
* **"goats' [hair]":** This specifies the particular material they processed. Goats' hair was a common, durable, and readily available fiber used for making tents and coarse fabrics. For the Tabernacle, it was designated for the second layer of covering, providing protection and durability. This detail underscores the practical and foundational nature of their contribution to the Tabernacle's physical structure, demonstrating that even common materials, when consecrated, served a sacred purpose.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Metonymy** through the phrase "whose heart stirred them up," where "heart" stands in for the entire person's inner will, desire, and motivation. This emphasizes the internal, voluntary nature of their contribution, highlighting that their actions stemmed from a deep-seated personal commitment rather than external compulsion. There is also a subtle use of **Synecdoche**, where the specific act of "spinning goats' hair" represents the broader range of textile work and, by extension, the significant and diverse contributions of women to the Tabernacle's construction. The mention of "wisdom" can be seen as a form of **Divine Endowment**, highlighting that their skill was not merely human talent but a gift from God, enabling them to perform sacred tasks with excellence. This elevates their seemingly mundane labor to a divinely sanctioned and empowered act of worship, underscoring that all true skill used for God's glory originates from Him.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 35:26 powerfully illustrates the principle that true worship and service to God involve the willing and skilled contribution of every member of the community. It reveals that God values not only grand offerings but also the diligent application of practical skills, especially when offered with a "stirred heart." The women's act of spinning goats' hair, though seemingly humble, was indispensable for the Tabernacle's completion, demonstrating that every gift, no matter how ordinary, becomes extraordinary when consecrated to God's purposes. This verse also implicitly connects to the broader theme of divine enablement, where God provides the necessary wisdom and ability for His people to accomplish His work, transforming human effort into sacred service. It underscores God's holistic design, where every part, every person, and every skill is vital for the flourishing of His kingdom.

* [Exodus 25:2](/exodus/25-2 "Exodus 25:2 - The Principle of a Willing Heart")
* [2 Corinthians 9:7](/2_corinthians/9-7 "2 Corinthians 9:7 - God Loves a Cheerful Giver")
* [1 Corinthians 12:7](/1_corinthians/12-7 "1 Corinthians 12:7 - Manifestation of the Spirit for the Common Good")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 35:26 offers profound lessons for believers today, reminding us that our service to God is not limited to grand gestures or public roles, but encompasses the diligent and joyful application of our unique gifts in seemingly ordinary ways. Just as the Israelite women's spinning was crucial for the Tabernacle, our "humble" skills—whether in administration, hospitality, teaching, creative arts, or even the mundane tasks of daily life—are vital for building up the body of Christ and extending His kingdom. The emphasis on a "stirred heart" challenges us to examine our motivations: are we serving out of obligation, or from a genuine, enthusiastic desire to honor God? Furthermore, the concept of "wisdom" reminds us that our abilities, whether innate or acquired, are ultimately gifts from God, to be stewarded for His glory. This verse calls us to identify our gifts, cultivate them with diligence, and offer them freely and joyfully, knowing that God can use every contribution, no matter how small, to accomplish His divine purposes and manifest His presence in the world through His people.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "goats' hair" (i.e., seemingly ordinary skills or resources) has God given me that I can offer for His work today?**
* **In what areas of my life or service do I need my "heart stirred up" to serve with greater enthusiasm and willingness?**
* **How does understanding that my "wisdom" or skill is a divine endowment change my perspective on my work or ministry?**
* **Am I valuing all contributions within the body of Christ, recognizing that every part is essential, just as the spinning of goats' hair was for the Tabernacle?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "goats' hair" in the Tabernacle construction?**

Answer: Goats' hair was a crucial material for the Tabernacle, specifically used for the second layer of coverings, which functioned as the tent over the dwelling (see [Exodus 26:7](/exodus/26-7 "Exodus 26:7 - The Tent of Goats' Hair")). It was a practical and durable material, providing protection from the elements in the wilderness. Its inclusion highlights that even common materials, when consecrated and skillfully prepared, were essential for the sacred dwelling and were part of God's detailed architectural plan for His presence among His people. The use of such a common, yet vital, material underscores that God's plan incorporates both the precious and the practical.

**Does this verse imply that women were only involved in "lesser" tasks?**

Answer: Not at all. Exodus 35:26, along with other verses like [Exodus 38:8](/exodus/38-8 "Exodus 38:8 - Women Serving at the Entrance of the Tent of Meeting"), demonstrates the vital and active role women played in the Tabernacle's construction and service. Spinning and weaving were highly specialized and indispensable crafts in ancient societies, requiring significant skill and "wisdom." The Tabernacle's intricate textiles, from the inner curtains to the outer coverings, could not have been made without these contributions. This verse underscores that every skill and every person's willing heart was valued and necessary for God's work, emphasizing the dignity and spiritual significance of all contributions to God's glory.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 35:26, with its portrayal of willing hearts and divinely-enabled skills contributing to the Tabernacle, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ and the New Covenant community. The Tabernacle, a temporary dwelling for God's presence among His people, powerfully foreshadowed Jesus Christ, who is the true dwelling place of God among humanity, Immanuel, "God with us" ([Matthew 1:23](/matthew/1-23 "Matthew 1:23 - Immanuel")). Just as the women's skilled labor prepared the physical dwelling for God in the wilderness, believers today, empowered by the Holy Spirit, are called to build up the spiritual temple, the Church, of which Christ is the cornerstone ([Ephesians 2:20-22](/ephesians/2-20-22 "Ephesians 2:20-22 - Christ the Cornerstone, Believers as a Holy Temple")). The "wisdom" granted to the Israelite women for their craft points to the spiritual gifts bestowed by the Holy Spirit upon all believers, enabling them to serve the body of Christ in diverse ways (see [1 Corinthians 12:4-11](/1_corinthians/12-4-11 "1 Corinthians 12:4-11 - Diversity of Gifts, Unity in the Spirit")). Our "stirred hearts" in service are a reflection of Christ's own willing sacrifice, who gave Himself completely for us, demonstrating ultimate humility and obedience ([Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5-8 "Philippians 2:5-8 - Christ's Humility and Obedience")). Thus, the humble act of spinning goats' hair in Exodus becomes a beautiful prefigurement of the diverse, Spirit-empowered, and willing service of every believer in the New Covenant, all contributing to the building of God's eternal kingdom through Christ, who is the ultimate expression of God's dwelling among His people.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Exodus 35:21

And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, [and] they brought the LORD'S offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation, and for all his service, and for the holy garments.

Exodus 35:29

The children of Israel brought a willing offering unto the LORD, every man and woman, whose heart made them willing to bring for all manner of work, which the LORD had commanded to be made by the hand of Moses.

Exodus 36:8

¶ And every wise hearted man among them that wrought the work of the tabernacle made ten curtains [of] fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: [with] cherubims of cunning work made he them.