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 illuminates the willing and divinely-enabled 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 stirred heart 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 of the Tabernacle's construction, specifically detailing the free-will offerings and skilled labor contributed by the Israelites. Following Moses' reiteration of God's commands for the Tabernacle's building (see [Exodus 35:1-19](/exodus/35-1 "Exodus 35:1-19 - Call for Contributions")), the people respond with overwhelming generosity and zeal. Verses [Exodus 35:20-29](/exodus/35-20 "Exodus 35:20-29 - The People's Generous Response") meticulously list 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")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, textile production was primarily the domain of women, a skill passed down through generations. Spinning, in particular, was a laborious but fundamental task, transforming raw fibers into usable thread. The "goats' hair" mentioned here was likely from black goats common in the region, known for producing a coarse but durable fiber suitable for tent-making and protective coverings. The Tabernacle was designed to be a portable sanctuary, mirroring the nomadic lifestyle of the Israelites in 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.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Stirred them up (Hebrew, _nāśāʾ libbām_):** This phrase literally means "lifted their heart" or "their heart carried them." It conveys a profound sense of inner compulsion, enthusiasm, and a deep-seated willingness. It is not a coerced action but one that springs from an inward motivation and generosity, aligning with the principle of a "willing heart" for contributions to the Tabernacle (cf. [Exodus 25:2](/exodus/25-2 "Exodus 25:2 - The Principle of a Willing Heart")). This highlights the spiritual dimension of their labor—it was an act of devotion.
* **Wisdom (Hebrew, _ḥokmâ_):** In this context, _ḥokmâ_ refers to practical skill, technical expertise, and craftsmanship. While often associated with intellectual insight, here it denotes 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 (cf. [Exodus 35:31](/exodus/35-31 "Exodus 35:31 - God Fills Bezalel with Wisdom")). Thus, the women's ability to spin "in wisdom" suggests not merely natural talent but a God-given aptitude for the sacred work.

#### 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.
* **"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.
* **"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.
* **"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 outer covering, providing protection and durability (see [Exodus 26:7](/exodus/26-7 "Exodus 26:7 - Goats' Hair as a Tabernacle Covering")). This detail underscores the practical and foundational nature of their contribution to the Tabernacle's physical structure.

#### 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. There is also a subtle use of **Synecdoche**, where the act of "spinning goats' hair" represents the broader range of textile work and female contributions to the Tabernacle. 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. This elevates their seemingly mundane labor to a divinely sanctioned and empowered act of worship.

### 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.

* [Exodus 25:2](/exodus/25-2 "Exodus 25:2 - The 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, or creative arts—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.

#### 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.

**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.

### 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, foreshadowed Jesus Christ, who is the true dwelling place of God among humanity, "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, 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 "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 (see [1 Corinthians 12:4-11](/1_corinthians/12-4 "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 ([Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5 "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.

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.