TRV
See on the biblical-era map
Study This Verse
Commentary on Exodus 35 verses 1–19
It was said in general (Exo 34:32), Moses gave them in commandment all that the Lord has spoken with him. But, the erecting and furnishing of the tabernacle being the work to which they were now immediately to apply themselves, there is particular mention of the orders given concerning it.
I. All the congregation is summoned to attend (Exo 35:1); that is, the heads and rulers of the congregation, the representatives of the several tribes, who must receive instructions from Moses as he had received them from the Lord, and must communicate them to the people. Thus John, being commanded to write to the seven churches what had been revealed to him, writes it to the angels, or ministers, of the churches.
II. Moses gave them in charge all that (and that only) which God had commanded him; thus he approved himself faithful both to God and Israel, between whom he was a messenger or mediator. If he had added, altered, or diminished, he would have been false to both. But, both sides having reposed a trust in him, he was true to the trust; yet he was faithful as a servant only, but Christ as a Son, Heb 3:5, Heb 3:6.
III. He begins with the law of the sabbath, because that was much insisted on in the instructions he had received (Exo 35:2, Exo 35:3): Six days shall work be done, work for the tabernacle, the work of the day that was now to be done in its day; and they had little else to do here in the wilderness, where they had neither husbandry nor merchandise, neither food to get nor clothes to make: but on the seventh day you must not strike a stroke, no, not at the tabernacle-work; the honour of the sabbath was above that of the sanctuary, more ancient and more lasting; that must be to you a holy day, devoted to God, and not be spent in common business. It is a sabbath of rest. It is a sabbath of sabbaths (so some read it), more honourable and excellent than any of the other feasts, and should survive them all. A sabbath of sabbatism, so others read it, being typical of that sabbatism or rest, both spiritual and eternal, which remains for the people of God, Heb 4:9. It is a sabbath of rest, that is, in which a rest from all worldly labour must be very carefully and strictly observed. It is a sabbath and a little sabbath, so some of the Jews would have it read; not only observing the whole day as a sabbath, but an hour before the beginning of it, and an hour after the ending of it, which they throw in over and above out of their own time, and call a little sabbath, to show how glad they are of the approach of the sabbath and how loth to part with it. It is a sabbath of rest, but it is rest to the Lord, to whose honour it must be devoted. A penalty is here annexed to the breach of it: Whosoever doeth work therein shall be put to death. Also a particular prohibition of kindling fires on the sabbath day for any servile work, as smith's work, or plumbers, etc.
IV. He orders preparation to be made for the setting up of the tabernacle. Two things were to be done: -
1.All that were able must contribute: Take you from among you an offering, Exo 35:5. The tabernacle was to be dedicated to the honour of God, and used in his service; and therefore what was brought for the setting up and furnishing of that was an offering to the Lord. Our goodness extends not to God, but what is laid out for the support of his kingdom and interest among men he is pleased to accept as an offering to himself; and he requires such acknowledgements of our receiving our all from him and such instances of our dedicating our all to him. The rule is, Whosoever is of a willing heart let him bring. It was not to be a tax imposed upon them, but a benevolence or voluntary contribution, to intimate to us, (1.) That God has not made our yoke heavy. He is a prince that does not burden his subjects with taxes, nor make them to serve with an offering, but draws with the cords of a man, and leaves it to ourselves to judge what is right; his is a government that there is no cause to complain of, for he does not rule with rigour. (2.) That God loves a cheerful giver, and is best pleased with the free-will offering. Those services are acceptable to him that come from the willing heart of a willing people, Psa 110:3.
2.All that were skilful must work: Every wise-hearted among you shall come, and make, Exo 35:10. See how God dispenses his gifts variously; and, as every man hath received the gift, so he must minister, Pe1 4:10. Those that were rich must bring in materials to work on; those that were ingenious must serve the tabernacle with their ingenuity; as they needed one another, so the tabernacle needed them both, Co1 12:7-21. The work was likely to go on when some helped with their purses, others with their hands, and both with a willing heart. Moses, as he had told them what must be given (Exo 35:5-9), so he gives them the general heads of what must be made (Exo 35:11-19), that, seeing how much work was before them, they might apply themselves to it the more vigorously, and every hand might be busy; and it gave them such an idea of the fabric designed that they could not but long to see it finished.
Continue studying Exodus 35:9 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
SefariaThe Hebrew text with Rashi and centuries of Jewish commentary.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
SUMMARY
Exodus 35:9 details the specific and precious materials, namely "onyx stones" and other gemstones, required for the construction of the Tabernacle's sacred priestly garments—specifically the ephod and the breastplate. This verse is part of Moses' call for a freewill offering from the Israelites, underscoring God's meticulous instructions for His dwelling place and the vestments of those who would serve Him. It highlights the divine value placed on worship, the symbolic representation of the twelve tribes of Israel before God, and the profound significance of the high priest's mediatorial role.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Exodus 35:9 primarily employs Metonymy and Symbolism. The "onyx stones" and "stones to be set" are metonymic for the entire priestly vestments and, by extension, the sacred service performed in the Tabernacle. They stand in for the meticulous detail, divine precision, and profound value required for all aspects of worship. Symbolism is profoundly present in the stones themselves. They are not just beautiful; they symbolize the twelve tribes of Israel, carried by the high priest into the presence of God, signifying God's remembrance and intercession for His people. The preciousness of the materials also symbolizes the immense value and holiness of God Himself and the sacredness of the covenant relationship. This divine specification of materials underscores that only the best and most enduring were suitable for God's dwelling and the garments of His chosen mediator.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 35:9, though seemingly a mere inventory item, carries profound theological weight. It underscores God's meticulous attention to detail and His demand for excellence in worship. The specific, costly nature of the stones for the ephod and breastplate emphasizes the sacredness of the high priestly office and its function as the representative of the entire nation before a holy God. The act of the high priest bearing the names of the tribes on his shoulders and heart signifies God's covenant faithfulness and His desire for His people to be continually brought into His presence, remembered and interceded for. This foreshadows a deeper truth about representation and intercession, pointing beyond the Old Covenant ritual to a more perfect reality.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 35:9, with its focus on precious stones for sacred garments, invites us to consider the value we place on our own worship and service to God. Just as the Israelites were called to bring their most valuable possessions with a willing heart, we are challenged to offer our best—our time, talents, resources, and very lives—to God's kingdom. This verse reminds us that God is worthy of our highest honor and most dedicated efforts. Furthermore, the symbolic representation of the tribes on the high priest's garments should stir within us a profound sense of gratitude for our own identity as part of God's people, continually remembered and interceded for before His throne. It encourages us to live lives that reflect the holiness and preciousness of our calling, understanding that our "spiritual sacrifices" (1 Peter 2:5) are presented before a holy God who delights in our willing and sincere offerings. Our contributions, however humble, are made precious when offered with a heart devoted to His glory, mirroring the meticulous care God required for the Tabernacle.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What was the purpose of the onyx stones and other gems on the ephod and breastplate?
Answer: The onyx stones and other gems served multiple crucial purposes. Primarily, they were symbolic representations of the twelve tribes of Israel. The two onyx stones on the high priest's shoulders each bore the names of six tribes, signifying that he carried the burden and identity of the entire nation before God (see Exodus 28:9-12). The twelve distinct gemstones on the breastplate, each engraved with the name of a specific tribe, symbolized the individual tribes being brought into God's presence for remembrance and intercession (see Exodus 28:15-21). Beyond their symbolic role, their inherent preciousness underscored the holiness and immense value of God Himself and the sacredness of the priestly office and the act of worship. They were not merely decorative but functional components of garments essential for the high priest's mediatorial role, enabling him to approach God on behalf of the people.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 35:9, with its focus on precious stones representing the tribes of Israel on the high priest's garments, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Old Testament high priest, bearing the names of God's people on his shoulders and heart, was a powerful type of our true and eternal High Priest, Jesus. While the earthly priest carried symbolic representations, Christ truly bears His people, not merely in remembrance but by His atoning work and ongoing intercession. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, and through His perfect sacrifice, He has entered the true heavenly sanctuary, not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood, securing an eternal redemption. Just as the stones were "set" into the garments, believers are "living stones" built into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:4-5). Christ carries us, His elect, continually before the Father, not as a burden, but as His beloved body, interceding for us always (Hebrews 7:25). The preciousness of the stones foreshadows the immeasurable value of Christ Himself, the cornerstone upon whom the entire spiritual temple is built (Ephesians 2:20), a temple composed of all who are redeemed by His precious blood.