Exodus 35:26

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

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

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

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

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

Commentary

Context

Exodus 35:26 is part of a detailed account of the contributions made by the Israelites for the construction of the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary where God's presence would dwell among His people. Following Moses' instructions received on Mount Sinai, the people were invited to bring a "free will offering" (Exodus 35:5) of various materials. This particular verse highlights the specific skill and willing contribution of the women in preparing one of the essential materials for the Tabernacle's coverings.

Key Themes

  • Willing Contribution: The phrase "whose heart stirred them up" emphasizes the voluntary and enthusiastic spirit with which the women participated. Their service was not coerced but flowed from a willing and devoted heart, mirroring the general call for contributions (Exodus 25:2).
  • Divine Wisdom and Skill: The mention of "in wisdom spun" indicates that this was not merely manual labor but a craft requiring significant skill and understanding. In the context of the Tabernacle, this wisdom (Hebrew: chokmah) was often seen as a divine endowment, enabling individuals to perform tasks for God's glory, as exemplified by craftsmen like Bezalel and Aholiab (Exodus 35:31).
  • The Role of Women: This verse underscores the vital and active role women played in the community's spiritual life and in the physical construction of the Tabernacle. Their unique skills in spinning and weaving were indispensable for creating the intricate textiles required, such as the curtains and coverings made from "goats' hair" (Exodus 26:7).
  • Holistic Participation: The verse illustrates that every member of the community, regardless of gender or specific skill set, had a part to play in contributing to the sacred work of God.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase translated as "stirred them up" (nasa' libbam) literally means "lifted their heart" or "their heart carried them." It conveys a sense of inner compulsion, enthusiasm, and a profound willingness to act. The term "wisdom" (chokmah) in this context refers to practical skill and technical expertise, often divinely inspired for specific purposes, especially in craftsmanship related to the Tabernacle.

Practical Application

Exodus 35:26 serves as a timeless reminder of several principles for believers today:

  • Willing Service: God values a willing heart more than the size of the contribution. Our offerings, whether of time, talent, or treasure, should be given freely and enthusiastically, much like a cheerful giver.
  • Using Our Gifts: Every person possesses unique skills and abilities. This verse encourages us to identify our "wisdom" or talents and use them for the glory of God and the benefit of His church, just as the women used their spinning skills for the Tabernacle.
  • Valuing All Contributions: No gift or act of service is too small or insignificant in God's eyes. The humble act of spinning goats' hair was just as crucial to the Tabernacle's completion as the gold and precious stones. This encourages us to appreciate the diverse ways members contribute to the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12).
  • Divine Enablement: When we are willing to serve, God often provides the necessary wisdom and enablement, empowering us to accomplish tasks beyond our natural abilities.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified 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.
← Back