Exodus 35:29

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

The children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} brought {H935} a willing offering {H5071} unto the LORD {H3068}, every man {H376} and woman {H802}, whose {H834} heart {H3820} made them willing {H5068} to bring {H935} for all manner of work {H4399}, which the LORD {H3068} had commanded {H6680} to be made {H6213} by the hand {H3027} of Moses {H4872}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Thus every man and woman of the people of Isra'el whose heart impelled him to contribute to any of the work ADONAI had ordered through Moshe brought it to ADONAI as a voluntary offering.

Berean Standard Bible

So all the men and women of the Israelites whose hearts prompted them brought a freewill offering to the LORD for all the work that the LORD through Moses had commanded them to do.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 35:29 powerfully encapsulates the Israelite community's fervent and voluntary response to God's command to construct the Tabernacle. This verse highlights a remarkable display of collective generosity, emphasizing that both men and women brought their offerings not out of compulsion, but from hearts genuinely stirred and made willing by the Spirit of the LORD, contributing to every aspect of the sacred work prescribed through Moses.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Exodus 35:29 serves as a concluding summary of the people's enthusiastic contributions following Moses' renewed call for offerings. This call, detailed in [Exodus 35:4-9](/exodus/35-4 "Exodus 35:4-9 - Moses' Call for Offerings"), came after the sobering incident of the golden calf in [Exodus 32](/exodus/32 "Exodus 32 - The Golden Calf"), which had severely fractured their relationship with God. The preceding chapters ([Exodus 25-31](/exodus/25 "Exodus 25 - God's Instructions for the Tabernacle")) meticulously outline God's precise architectural and material specifications for the Tabernacle, its furnishings, and the priestly garments. Thus, verse 29 marks the successful culmination of the *gathering* phase, setting the stage for the actual construction, which begins in [Exodus 36](/exodus/36 "Exodus 36 - Construction of the Tabernacle Begins"). It underscores a profound spiritual turning point, demonstrating the people's renewed commitment and obedience to the covenant.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Following their miraculous deliverance from Egypt and the establishment of the covenant at Mount Sinai, the Israelites were transitioning from a nomadic existence to a people uniquely set apart by God. The Tabernacle was to be the physical manifestation of God's presence among them, a portable sanctuary for worship and atonement, central to their identity and religious life. In the ancient Near East, temples and sacred structures were often built through forced labor or state taxation. However, the command for the Tabernacle's construction, as outlined in [Exodus 25:1-9](/exodus/25-1 "Exodus 25:1-9 - The Call for Offerings"), explicitly called for a "freewill offering" (terumah) from "everyone whose heart prompts him to give." This emphasis on voluntary contribution distinguishes Israel's approach to sacred building from that of surrounding cultures, highlighting a relationship with God based on love and willing obedience rather than coercion. The profound willingness described in [Exodus 35:29](/exodus/35-29 "Exodus 35:29 - The Willing Offering") signifies a spiritual revival after the golden calf apostasy, a testament to God's grace and the people's renewed devotion.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Willing offering (Hebrew, _nedâbâh_):** This term signifies a "freewill offering," a "spontaneous gift," or a "voluntary contribution." Unlike obligatory sacrifices or taxes, a _nedabah_ was given out of generosity and a stirred heart, not compulsion or legal requirement. Its use here emphasizes the uncoerced nature of the Israelites' contributions, highlighting that their giving was an act of worship flowing from internal desire rather than external pressure.
* **Whose heart made them willing (Hebrew, _nâdab_):** The verb _nadab_ means "to incite," "to make willing," "to be noble," or "to be generous." The phrasing "whose heart made them willing" is crucial, as it points directly to the internal, spiritual motivation behind the giving. It suggests that their hearts were divinely prompted or internally stirred, leading to a spontaneous and noble act of generosity. This underscores that God values the disposition of the giver's heart above the mere act of giving.
* **Work (Hebrew, _melâ'kâh_):** While generally meaning "work" or "labor," in this context, _melakah_ refers specifically to the skilled craftsmanship and detailed construction required for the Tabernacle and its components. It encompasses the intricate artistry, weaving, metalwork, and carpentry necessary to fulfill God's precise instructions, emphasizing that the offerings were for a specific, divinely ordained purpose.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The children of Israel brought a willing offering unto the LORD":** This clause establishes the central action and its recipient. The people, collectively identified as "the children of Israel," are the active agents. Their action is "bringing," and the nature of what they brought is a "willing offering," immediately signaling its voluntary and heartfelt character. The offering is directed "unto the LORD," emphasizing that this act of giving is an act of worship and devotion to God Himself.
* **"every man and woman":** This phrase highlights the remarkable inclusivity and unity of the community's participation. It underscores that the call for offerings resonated across all demographics, with no one excluded or exempt. This collective involvement demonstrates a shared sense of ownership and responsibility for God's sacred project.
* **"whose heart made them willing to bring for all manner of work":** This is the core of the verse, explaining the motivation behind the bringing. The repetition of the concept of "willingness" (from "willing offering") reinforces its significance. The phrase "whose heart made them willing" points to an internal, spiritual impetus, not external pressure. Their willingness was specifically "to bring for all manner of work," indicating that their contributions were comprehensive and aimed at facilitating every aspect of the Tabernacle's construction, from the raw materials to the skilled labor.
* **"which the LORD had commanded to be made by the hand of Moses":** This concluding phrase provides the divine authorization and specific purpose for the offerings. It clarifies that the "work" was not arbitrary but precisely "commanded by the LORD." Moses served as the divine intermediary, conveying God's detailed instructions for the Tabernacle's construction, thereby validating the legitimacy and sacredness of the entire undertaking.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 35:29 employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. **Repetition** of the concept of "willingness" (from "willing offering" and "whose heart made them willing") serves to underscore the central theme of voluntary, heartfelt contribution, making it the dominant characteristic of the Israelites' response. The phrase "every man and woman" is an example of **inclusivity**, emphasizing the universal participation and unity within the community, highlighting that this was a collective, rather than an elite, endeavor. There is also an implicit **contrast** or **juxtaposition** with the earlier golden calf incident ([Exodus 32](/exodus/32 "Exodus 32 - The Golden Calf")). While that event showcased the people's rebellious and idolatrous hearts, this verse demonstrates a profound spiritual transformation and renewed covenant fidelity, where hearts are now "willing" to serve the LORD. Finally, the verse sets the stage for the later description of overwhelming abundance ([Exodus 36:5-7](/exodus/36-5 "Exodus 36:5-7 - More Than Enough")), hinting at the **generosity** that flowed from such willing hearts, almost to the point of hyperbole, as the offerings exceeded what was needed.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 35:29 is a profound theological statement on the nature of true worship and obedience. It teaches that God values not merely the act of giving or serving, but the internal disposition of the heart from which those actions spring. The Israelites' "willing offering" for the Tabernacle demonstrates that genuine devotion is characterized by cheerful, uncoerced generosity, flowing from a heart moved by God's Spirit. This principle transcends the specific context of Tabernacle construction, establishing a timeless truth that God desires willing hearts in all aspects of our service, whether in material contributions, time, or talent. It also highlights the importance of communal participation in God's work, where every individual's unique contribution, however small, is vital and valued.

* [2 Corinthians 9:7](/2_corinthians/9-7 "2 Corinthians 9:7 - God Loves a Cheerful Giver")
* [Deuteronomy 16:10](/deuteronomy/16-10 "Deuteronomy 16:10 - Freewill Offering")
* [1 Chronicles 29:9](/1_chronicles/29-9 "1 Chronicles 29:9 - David's Prayer and People's Willingness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 35:29 offers a timeless paradigm for our engagement with God's work today. It challenges us to examine the motivation behind our actions, reminding us that God is less concerned with the quantity of our contributions than with the quality of our heart's posture. Are we serving, giving, or obeying out of obligation, a sense of duty, or societal pressure? Or are our hearts genuinely "made willing" by the love of Christ and the prompting of the Holy Spirit? This verse calls us to cultivate a spirit of joyful generosity, recognizing that every gift, every act of service, and every moment of obedience offered with a willing heart becomes a fragrant offering to the Lord. When the entire community, "every man and woman," participates with such willingness, the collective impact for God's kingdom is immense, demonstrating the power of unity in purpose and spirit. Let us strive for this radical willingness in all areas of our lives, allowing our hearts to be stirred to participate joyfully in God's ongoing work in the world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What truly motivates my giving and service to God and others? Is it obligation, or a genuinely willing heart?**
* **How can I cultivate a more cheerful and generous spirit in my contributions, whether of time, talent, or treasure?**
* **In what ways can my community (church, family, workplace) better embody the "every man and woman" spirit of collective, willing participation?**
* **What "work" has the Lord commanded me to be involved in today, and how willing am I to bring my unique offering to it?**

### FAQ
**Why was the willingness of the Israelites' hearts so important to God?**

Answer: The willingness of their hearts was paramount because God values the internal disposition and spiritual condition of the giver more than the gift itself. Unlike the coerced labor often seen in ancient empires for building projects, God desired a relationship with His people based on love, devotion, and free will. The emphasis on "whose heart made them willing" signifies that their contributions were not forced but flowed from a renewed spiritual commitment after the golden calf incident ([Exodus 32](/exodus/32 "Exodus 32 - The Golden Calf")). This willingness demonstrated their repentance, faith, and a desire to participate intimately in the establishment of God's dwelling among them, making their offerings a true act of worship.

**What was the "work" for which the Israelites brought their offerings?**

Answer: The "work" refers to the comprehensive construction and furnishing of the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary where God's presence would dwell among His people. This included all its intricate components, such as the ark of the covenant, the table of showbread, the lampstand, the altars, the courtyard, and the priestly garments, as meticulously detailed in God's commands to Moses in [Exodus 25-31](/exodus/25 "Exodus 25 - God's Instructions for the Tabernacle")). The offerings were for both the raw materials (gold, silver, bronze, fine linen, dyes, wood, precious stones, oil, spices) and the support of the skilled craftsmen (Bezalel and Oholiab) who would execute the divine blueprint.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 35:29, with its profound emphasis on a "willing offering" from the heart for the construction of God's dwelling, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Tabernacle, for which these offerings were given, was a temporary dwelling place for God's presence, a shadow pointing to the reality of God dwelling among humanity in the person of Jesus, the true [Immanuel](/matthew/1-23 "Matthew 1:23 - God With Us"). Christ Himself is the ultimate "willing offering," whose heart was perfectly aligned with the Father's will, leading Him to lay down His life as the supreme sacrifice for the sins of the world ([Hebrews 10:5-10](/hebrews/10-5 "Hebrews 10:5-10 - Christ's Willing Sacrifice")). Just as the Israelites brought their best out of willingness for the physical sanctuary, Christ offered Himself, body and spirit, as the perfect Lamb of God ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Now, as believers, we are called to be "living sacrifices," presenting our bodies as a "willing offering" to the Lord ([Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifices")), empowered by the Holy Spirit. We are no longer building a physical temple, but are being built together into a spiritual house, a holy temple in the Lord, where God dwells by His Spirit ([Ephesians 2:21-22](/ephesians/2-21 "Ephesians 2:21-22 - Built into a Holy Temple")), with Christ as the cornerstone. Our willing hearts, transformed by His grace, become the very materials for this new, eternal dwelling of God.

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

2 Corinthians 9:7

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, [so let him give]; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

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 35:22

And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing hearted, [and] brought bracelets, and earrings, and rings, and tablets, all jewels of gold: and every man that offered [offered] an offering of gold unto the LORD.

Exodus 35:4

And Moses spake unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, This [is] the thing which the LORD commanded, saying,

2 Timothy 3:15

And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 3:17

That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Judges 5:9

My heart [is] toward the governors of Israel, that offered themselves willingly among the people. Bless ye the LORD.