Exodus 36:4

And all the wise men, that wrought all the work of the sanctuary, came every man from his work which they made;

And all the wise men {H2450}, that wrought {H6213} all the work {H4399} of the sanctuary {H6944}, came {H935} every man {H376} from his work {H4399} which they made {H6213};

until all the craftsmen doing the work for the sanctuary left the work they were involved with

so that all the skilled craftsmen who were doing all the work on the sanctuary left their work

And all the wise men, that wrought all the work of the sanctuary, came every man from his work which they wrought;

Commentary

Exodus 36:4 describes a pivotal moment during the construction of the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary for God's presence among the Israelites in the wilderness. This verse highlights the immediate response of the highly skilled craftsmen to an unexpected development.

Context

Following God's detailed instructions for the Tabernacle's design and materials (Exodus 25-30), Moses had called upon the Israelites to bring freewill offerings (Exodus 35:4-9). The people responded with extraordinary generosity, so much so that by Exodus 36:3, Moses had to issue a proclamation for them to stop bringing more. Verse 4 details the reaction of the "wise men" – the master artisans like Bezalel and Aholiab, along with their apprentices and assistants – who were actively engaged in the intricate work of the sanctuary. They ceased their labor to address the overwhelming abundance of materials.

Key Themes

  • Divine Equipping and Skill: The "wise men" (Hebrew: chakamim, meaning skilled, discerning, often with divinely imparted ability) were not just naturally talented but were specifically gifted by God for this sacred work, as detailed in Exodus 35:31. This verse underscores the importance of God-given abilities in serving Him.
  • Overwhelming Generosity: The fact that the craftsmen had to stop working to report an excess of materials speaks volumes about the Israelites' unparalleled eagerness to contribute to God's dwelling place. This level of giving is further emphasized in Exodus 36:5, where they explicitly state, "The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work, which the LORD commanded to make."
  • Diligent Stewardship: The craftsmen's immediate action to report the surplus demonstrates their integrity and commitment to good stewardship. They weren't simply hoarding materials but recognized the need to manage resources properly according to God's will.

Linguistic Insights

The term "wise men" (Hebrew: חֲכָמִים, chakamim) is significant. It implies not merely intellectual knowledge but a practical skill, discernment, and often, a divinely endowed ability to perform a task. In the context of the Tabernacle, these were individuals uniquely equipped by God's Spirit to execute the intricate artistic and structural designs for the sanctuary, embodying both wisdom and skilled craftsmanship.

Practical Application

Exodus 36:4 offers several timeless lessons for believers today:

  • God Equips for His Work: Like the craftsmen of the Tabernacle, God continues to gift believers with diverse talents and abilities for the building up of His kingdom today (1 Corinthians 12:7). We are called to use these gifts diligently in service to His purposes.
  • The Power of Generosity: The Israelites' overwhelming response reminds us that true generosity, driven by faith and devotion, can exceed all expectations and powerfully advance God's work.
  • Responsible Stewardship: The craftsmen's action highlights the importance of managing resources—whether time, talent, or treasure—with integrity and wisdom, ensuring they are used effectively for God's glory and the good of His people.
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

  • 2 Chronicles 24:13

    So the workmen wrought, and the work was perfected by them, and they set the house of God in his state, and strengthened it.

  • 1 Corinthians 3:10

    According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.

  • Luke 12:42

    And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom [his] lord shall make ruler over his household, to give [them their] portion of meat in due season?

  • Matthew 24:45

    Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
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