Exodus 35:5

KJV

Take ye from among you an offering unto the LORD: whosoever [is] of a willing heart, let him bring it, an offering of the LORD; gold, and silver, and brass,

KJV (with Strong's)

Take {H3947} ye from among you an offering {H8641} unto the LORD {H3068}: whosoever {H3605} is of a willing {H5081} heart {H3820}, let him bring {H935} it, an offering {H8641} of the LORD {H3068}; gold {H2091}, and silver {H3701}, and brass {H5178},

Complete Jewish Bible

'Take up a collection for ADONAI from among yourselves -anyone whose heart makes him willing is to bring the offering for ADONAI: gold, silver and bronze;

Berean Standard Bible

Take from among you an offering to the LORD. Let everyone whose heart is willing bring an offering to the LORD: gold, silver, and bronze;

American Standard Version

Take ye from among you an offering unto Jehovah; whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it, Jehovah’s offering: gold, and silver, and brass,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 35:5 presents Moses' pivotal instruction to the Israelite community, calling for a voluntary offering of materials for the construction of the Tabernacle. This foundational verse underscores that the sacred components—specifically gold, silver, and bronze—were to be contributed not under duress, but from a heart freely willing and eager to participate in this divine endeavor. It highlights God's profound valuing of sincere devotion and spontaneous generosity as the essential foundation for all worship and service within the covenant relationship, setting a precedent for the spirit in which His dwelling place was to be established among His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Exodus 35:5 is strategically placed within the book of Exodus, marking a crucial transition from divine instruction to communal action. It immediately follows Moses' re-assembly of the entire Israelite community and his reiteration of the Sabbath command (Exodus 35:1-4), signaling a renewed focus on covenant faithfulness. This chapter initiates the practical phase of Tabernacle construction, fulfilling the detailed architectural blueprints God had previously revealed to Moses on Mount Sinai ([Exodus 25-31](/exodus/25 "Exodus 25-31 - Instructions for the Tabernacle")). The preceding narrative, particularly [Exodus 32-34](/exodus/32 "Exodus 32-34 - The Golden Calf and Covenant Renewal"), recounts the devastating apostasy of the golden calf, the subsequent breaking of the first set of tablets, and God's gracious renewal of the covenant. Against this backdrop, Moses' call for a voluntary offering for the Tabernacle serves as a powerful symbol of reconciliation, a tangible expression of the people's renewed commitment, and their active participation in re-establishing God's holy presence in their midst, contrasting sharply with their recent idolatry.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** At this juncture, the Israelites were a newly liberated, nomadic people journeying through the wilderness, having recently escaped Egyptian bondage. While their resources might seem limited for such an ambitious project, they possessed considerable wealth, including the spoils acquired from the Egyptians during the Exodus ([Exodus 12:35-36](/exodus/12-35-36 "Exodus 12:35-36 - Spoils from Egypt")). The concept of offerings or contributions for sacred purposes was not unique to Israel, with various forms of tribute and temple support common in ancient Near Eastern cultures. However, the distinctive emphasis in Exodus 35:5 on a "willing heart" (Hebrew: *nediv lev*) sets this apart from a mere tax or forced levy. It aligns the offering with a spontaneous, heartfelt act of devotion, which would become a defining characteristic of Israelite worship. The specified materials—"gold, and silver, and brass" (bronze)—were highly valued commodities, essential for crafting the intricate and beautiful components of the Tabernacle, thereby reflecting the glory, holiness, and majesty of the God who chose to dwell among His people.
* **Key Themes:** Exodus 35:5 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost is the theme of **God's Dwelling Presence** (the *Shekinah*), as the Tabernacle is the physical manifestation of God's desire to reside among His people, a concept central to the covenant relationship. The verse also highlights the theme of **Covenant Renewal and Restoration**, demonstrating that despite their recent failure with the golden calf, God's grace provides a path for reconciliation and renewed partnership in His divine plans. The emphasis on a "willing heart" introduces the crucial theme of **Voluntary Obedience and Genuine Devotion**, establishing that acceptable worship to God is rooted in internal disposition rather than external compulsion. This principle is foundational to understanding the nature of true worship throughout scripture, contrasting with mere ritualism. Finally, the collective nature of the offering underscores the theme of **Communal Participation and Shared Responsibility** in building God's kingdom, where every member of the community contributes their resources and skills for a common sacred purpose, as further elaborated in [Exodus 35:20-29](/exodus/35-20-29 "Exodus 35:20-29 - The People's Generous Response").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Take (Hebrew, _lâqach'_):** From a primitive root meaning "to take (in the widest variety of applications)." In this context, it signifies an active reception or collection. Moses is instructing the people to actively set aside and bring forth these items from their possessions. It implies a deliberate act of appropriation for a specific purpose, underscoring the intentionality required for the offering.
* **Offering (Hebrew, _tᵉrûwmâh'_):** Derived from the root רוּם (rum), meaning "to be high" or "to lift up," this term denotes a "heave offering" or a "contribution." It refers to something lifted up and set apart for sacred use, often as a portion given to God or for the support of the sanctuary and its priests. Unlike a mandatory tax, a *terumah* was typically a voluntary contribution, signifying a free-will gift presented to the Lord out of devotion, emphasizing the sacred and dedicated nature of the materials.
* **Willing Heart (Hebrew, _nâdîyb lêb'_):** This powerful phrase combines *nâdîyb*, meaning "voluntary," "generous," or "noble," with *lêb*, which widely represents the "heart" as the seat of feelings, will, and even intellect. It describes an inner disposition characterized by uncoerced generosity, eagerness, and a noble spirit. It signifies not merely compliance, but a joyful, ungrudging desire to give. This emphasis on internal motivation highlights that God values the spirit of the giver more than the size or quantity of the gift itself, setting a foundational precedent for all future acts of worship and service within the covenant community.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Take ye from among you an offering unto the LORD:"** This opening command from Moses is addressed to the entire Israelite community, indicating a collective responsibility for providing the necessary materials for the Tabernacle. The phrase "from among you" emphasizes that the resources are to be drawn from their own possessions, making it a communal and personal investment. The offering is explicitly designated "unto the LORD," establishing its sacred purpose and ultimate divine recipient, ensuring it is not for human gain or glory but for God's holy work.
* **"whosoever [is] of a willing heart, let him bring it, an offering of the LORD;"** This crucial clause introduces the condition for participation: the offering must originate from a "willing heart." This stipulation transforms the act from a compulsory tax into a voluntary expression of devotion and generosity. The repetition of "an offering of the LORD" powerfully reinforces the divine ownership and sacredness of the contribution, emphasizing that the gift is for God's purposes and is received by Him, elevating the act of giving to an act of worship.
* **"gold, and silver, and brass,"** This specifies the initial and most valuable categories of materials required for the Tabernacle's construction. These precious metals were indispensable for crafting the Ark of the Covenant, the lampstand, the altars, and various other sacred implements, reflecting the glory, holiness, and intricate beauty of God's presence. Their immediate mention signals the immense value and sacredness of the project, necessitating significant generosity and sacrifice from the people.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 35:5 effectively employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. **Repetition** is prominently featured in the double mention of "an offering unto the LORD" and "an offering of the LORD," which powerfully reinforces the divine ownership and sacred purpose of the contributions, preventing any misinterpretation of the gifts as secular or for human benefit. **Emphasis** is placed squarely on the "willing heart," which serves as the central condition and moral compass for the entire act of giving. This highlights God's primary concern with the internal disposition of the giver rather than the external act alone, establishing a key theological principle. Furthermore, the use of **Enumeration** ("gold, and silver, and brass") provides concrete examples of the precious materials required, making the divine request tangible and illustrating the magnitude of the project. This specific listing also functions as a form of **Synecdoche** or **Metonymy**, where these primary materials stand in for all the various valuable contributions needed for the Tabernacle's construction.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 35:5 establishes a foundational principle for all worship and service to God: the preeminence of a willing heart over any external compulsion. This verse teaches that true generosity and devotion are not measured by the quantity of the gift, but by the sincerity and eagerness of the giver's spirit. It underscores God's desire for a relationship built on love and free-will obedience, not obligation or grudging compliance. This principle resonates throughout scripture, emphasizing that God looks at the heart, valuing internal disposition as the wellspring of all acceptable offerings and service. It also highlights the communal aspect of building God's kingdom, where every willing participant contributes their unique resources and skills to a collective sacred endeavor.

* [1 Chronicles 29:9](/1_chronicles/29-9 "David and the People Give Willingly")
* [2 Corinthians 9:7](/2_corinthians/9-7 "God Loves a Cheerful Giver")
* [Psalm 51:17](/psalms/51-17 "A Broken and Contrite Heart")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 35:5 challenges us to deeply examine the motivation behind our contributions to God's work and our service in general. Are our gifts of time, talent, and treasure given out of genuine love, gratitude, and a truly willing heart, or are they offered from a sense of duty, obligation, or even a desire for human recognition? This verse serves as a profound reminder that God is not in need of our resources, but He profoundly desires our hearts—our unreserved devotion and joyful participation. When we give freely, cheerfully, and from an eager spirit, our offerings transcend mere transactions and become authentic acts of worship, reflecting our deep devotion and unwavering trust in Him. This principle extends far beyond monetary contributions to every facet of our lives: our service within the church, our acts of kindness toward our neighbors, our dedication to our professional callings, and our pursuit of holiness. It calls us to actively cultivate a heart that is eager to participate in God's redemptive purposes, understanding that true generosity flows from a spirit of profound gratitude and unreserved love for the One who has graciously given us everything.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does "willing heart" mean for my daily walk with God, extending beyond financial giving to my time, talents, and attitude?**
* **How can I intentionally cultivate a more "willing heart" in all areas of my service to God and others, especially when faced with challenges or inconvenience?**
* **In what specific areas of my life might I be giving or serving out of compulsion, obligation, or a sense of burden rather than genuine desire, and what steps can I take to shift my motivation towards joyful willingness?**

### FAQ
**Why was a "willing heart" so important for these offerings?**

Answer: The emphasis on a "willing heart" (Hebrew: *nâdîyb lêb*) was profoundly important because God desires genuine devotion and love, not coerced compliance or grudging obligation. Forcing contributions would have reduced the sacred act of building His dwelling place into a burdensome tax, stripping it of its spiritual significance and transforming it from an act of worship into a mere transaction. By requiring a willing heart, God ensured that the Tabernacle was built not just with materials, but with the heartfelt worship, joyful commitment, and renewed relationship of His people. This established a foundational precedent that God values the disposition of the giver more than the gift itself, a principle echoed throughout scripture, such as when the prophet Samuel declares that the Lord looks at the heart, not outward appearance ([1 Samuel 16:7](/1_samuel/16-7 "The Lord Looks at the Heart")). It transformed the act of giving into a powerful expression of faith and a tangible renewal of their covenant relationship with Him, especially significant after the recent golden calf incident.

**What was the significance of the specific materials requested (gold, silver, brass)?**

Answer: The selection of gold, silver, and brass (bronze) was highly significant for several theological and practical reasons. Firstly, these were precious and durable materials, symbolizing the enduring glory, holiness, and majesty of God, and ensuring the longevity and beauty of His sacred dwelling place. Gold, being the most valuable and incorruptible, was used for the Ark of the Covenant, the lampstand, and the overlay of sacred furniture, signifying divine purity, majesty, and the unblemished nature of God's presence. Silver was primarily used for the sockets of the Tabernacle's frames and for the redemption money ([Exodus 30:11-16](/exodus/30-11-16 "The Atonement Money")), often associated with atonement, purity, and the redemption of life. Brass (bronze) was used for the altars and implements in the courtyard, symbolizing strength, endurance, and the capacity to withstand the heat of sacrifice and judgment. These materials were not arbitrary choices; they were divinely appointed to reflect the splendor, holiness, and functional requirements of the Tabernacle, which served as the earthly representation of God's heavenly throne room. Furthermore, the Israelites had acquired some of these precious metals from the Egyptians during the Exodus ([Exodus 12:35-36](/exodus/12-35-36 "Spoils from Egypt")), making their offering a tangible act of returning to God what He had graciously provided.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 35:5, with its profound emphasis on a "willing heart" for the Tabernacle's construction, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The Tabernacle, a temporary and symbolic dwelling place for God among His people, powerfully foreshadowed the ultimate and perfect dwelling of God with humanity in Jesus, who is Emmanuel, "God with us" ([Matthew 1:23](/matthew/1-23 "Immanuel")). Jesus himself is the supreme "offering" given with the most willing heart imaginable, not of gold or silver, but of His very life. He willingly laid down His life on the cross, a perfect, singular, and eternal sacrifice, thereby fulfilling and superseding all the types and shadows of the Old Testament sacrificial system, making any further offerings unnecessary ([Hebrews 10:10-14](/hebrews/10-10-14 "Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). His obedience was not coerced but flowed from an eternal, unreserved love for the Father and for humanity ([John 10:18](/john/10-18 "Jesus Lays Down His Life Willingly"), [Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Christ's Obedience unto Death")). Furthermore, just as the Tabernacle was built by willing hearts, it prefigures the Church, which is now the spiritual temple of God, built by living stones—believers whose hearts have been made willing and transformed by the indwelling Holy Spirit ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "Living Stones, Spiritual House"), [Ephesians 2:20-22](/ephesians/2-20-22 "Christ the Cornerstone, Church the Temple")). Just as the Israelites brought their best materials, believers are now called to offer their lives as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, out of a willing and renewed heart, empowered by Christ's own self-giving spirit and for the glory of His name ([Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Living Sacrifices")). Thus, the ancient call for a willing heart in Exodus 35:5 profoundly points forward to the perfect willingness of Christ and the Spirit-enabled willingness of His redeemed people to participate in His ongoing work of building His eternal kingdom.

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.

Psalms 110:3

Thy people [shall be] willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.

Exodus 25:2

Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering.

Exodus 25:7

Onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod, and in the breastplate.

Mark 12:41

¶ And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.

Mark 12:44

For all [they] did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, [even] all her living.

Judges 5:9

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