Exodus 36:6

KJV

And Moses gave commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, Let neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary. So the people were restrained from bringing.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Moses {H4872} gave commandment {H6680}, and they caused it to be proclaimed {H6963}{H5674} throughout the camp {H4264}, saying {H559}, Let neither man {H376} nor woman {H802} make {H6213} any more work {H4399} for the offering {H8641} of the sanctuary {H6944}. So the people {H5971} were restrained {H3607} from bringing {H935}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So Moshe gave an order which was proclaimed throughout the camp: "Neither men nor women are to make any further efforts for the sanctuary offering." In this way, the people were restrained from making additional contributions.

Berean Standard Bible

After Moses had given an order, they sent a proclamation throughout the camp: “No man or woman should make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary.” So the people were restrained from bringing more,

American Standard Version

And Moses gave commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, Let neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary. So the people were restrained from bringing.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 36:6 captures an extraordinary moment in the construction of the Tabernacle: Moses, responding to the overwhelming and unprecedented generosity of the Israelite community, issues a direct command for the people to cease bringing further offerings. Their freewill contributions had so abundantly surpassed the needs for the sanctuary's construction that additional materials were not only unnecessary but would have been excessive, showcasing a profound and zealous devotion to the Lord's work and a remarkable testament to divine provision through human willingness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within the larger narrative of the Tabernacle's construction, specifically marking the climax of the people's outpouring of generosity. It immediately follows the initial call for freewill offerings in [Exodus 35](/exodus/35 "Exodus 35 - Call for Offerings and Workers"), where Moses relays God's detailed instructions for the Tabernacle and its furnishings, inviting all with willing hearts to contribute. The preceding verses in [Exodus 36:1-5](/exodus/36-1-5 "Exodus 36:1-5 - The Overflowing Gifts and the Artisans' Report") vividly describe the immediate and effusive response of the people, who brought gifts "every morning." The skilled craftsmen, overwhelmed by the sheer volume of materials, report to Moses that the people are bringing "much more than enough" for the work. Thus, [Exodus 36:6](/exodus/36-6 "Exodus 36:6 - Moses Commands the People to Stop Giving") serves as the definitive turning point, where the supply of materials exceeded the demand, necessitating an unprecedented halt to further contributions and shifting the narrative focus to the actual building process.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The construction of the Tabernacle was a foundational event in Israel's history, establishing a central place for worship and symbolizing God's dwelling presence among His newly redeemed people in the wilderness. In contrast to ancient Near Eastern building projects, which often relied on forced labor, conscription, or burdensome taxation for temples and sacred sites, the Tabernacle's construction was uniquely predicated on freewill offerings. This emphasis underscored the covenant relationship between God and Israel, highlighting a response of gratitude rather than coercion. The Israelites had recently experienced God's miraculous deliverance from Egyptian bondage and the awe-inspiring revelation of the Law at [Mount Sinai](/exodus/19 "Exodus 19 - Israel at Mount Sinai"), fostering a profound sense of gratitude, awe, and obedience. This context of recent divine intervention and the establishment of a direct covenant relationship fueled an unparalleled enthusiasm among the Israelites, leading to their exceptional generosity. The command to stop bringing offerings is virtually unparalleled in ancient records of temple building, underscoring the truly exceptional nature of Israel's devotion and the unique dynamic of their relationship with Yahweh.
* **Key Themes:** Exodus 36:6 significantly contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the theme of **Divine Provision and Human Response**. God provides the detailed blueprint and the Spirit-empowered artisans, but He also moves the hearts of His people to provide the necessary materials in superabundance. This demonstrates that God's work is never hindered by lack, especially when His people respond with willing hearts. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Radical Generosity and Wholehearted Devotion**. The Israelites' giving was not merely sufficient but overflowing, demonstrating a level of commitment that surpassed all expectations and required divine intervention to curb. This sets a precedent for the kind of devotion God desires from His people. Lastly, it reinforces the theme of **Obedience and Order** under Moses' leadership. Even in the midst of zealous giving, Moses, as God's mediator, ensures proper stewardship and order, demonstrating that even good intentions must submit to divine direction and wise leadership. This episode underscores the importance of both enthusiastic participation and disciplined adherence to God's revealed will, as seen throughout the narrative of the wilderness journey, from the giving of the Law in [Exodus 20](/exodus/20 "Exodus 20 - The Ten Commandments") to the detailed instructions for worship.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Moses (Hebrew, _Môsheh'_):** (H4872) From a root meaning "drawing out," referring to his rescue from the water. Moses, the Israelite lawgiver, is central here as the divinely appointed leader through whom God's commands are given and through whom the people respond. His authority in issuing this unprecedented command underscores his unique role as mediator and steward of God's work among His people.
* **Commandment (Hebrew, _tsâvâh'_):** (H6680) This primitive root means "to constitute, enjoin," or "to give a charge/command." The use of this word emphasizes the authoritative and binding nature of Moses' directive. It was not a suggestion or an appeal, but a formal, divinely sanctioned order, reflecting his role in maintaining order and proper stewardship within the community, even in the context of overwhelming generosity.
* **Restrained (Hebrew, _kâlâʼ'_):** (H3607) This primitive root signifies "to restrict, by act (hold back or in) or word (prohibit); finish, forbid, keep (back), refrain, restrain, retain, shut up, be stayed, withhold." The powerful implication of this word is that the people's desire to give was still so strong that it required an active intervention, a "holding back" or "curbing," by the official decree. It vividly portrays the immense and sustained zeal of the people, whose generosity was so fervent that it necessitated an external command to cease.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Moses gave commandment":** This opening phrase immediately establishes the source of the directive and its authoritative nature. Moses, acting in his capacity as God's chosen leader and mediator, issues a formal order. This highlights his proactive and responsible leadership in managing the sacred project, responding directly to the report from the Tabernacle craftsmen regarding the overflowing contributions.
* **"and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying,":** This clause describes the widespread and public dissemination of Moses' command. The use of "caused it to be proclaimed" (involving the Hebrew H5674 _ʻâbar_ "to cross over" or "cause to proclaim," and H6963 _qôwl_ "voice/sound") indicates a formal, public announcement that reached every corner of the Israelite encampment. This ensured that the unprecedented directive was universally heard and understood, preventing any further unsolicited contributions and demonstrating the organized nature of the community.
* **"Let neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary.":** This is the core of the unprecedented negative injunction. It explicitly forbids any further contributions for the Tabernacle. The inclusion of "neither man nor woman" emphasizes the universal participation in the previous outpouring of generosity and the universal application of this new directive, underscoring that the entire community had contributed so abundantly. The "work for the offering of the sanctuary" refers to the materials and effort dedicated to the sacred dwelling.
* **"So the people were restrained from bringing.":** This concluding clause describes the immediate and effective outcome of Moses' command. The use of "restrained" (H3607 _kâlâʼ_) is crucial; it implies that the people's desire to give was still fervent, but they submitted to the authoritative word. This serves as a powerful testament to their obedience and the overwhelming abundance of their earlier contributions, which had exceeded all practical needs.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 36:6 employs several significant literary devices to convey its powerful and unique message. The most striking is **Irony**, as the typical biblical narrative involves a call for more resources or a lament over insufficient offerings; here, the command is to *stop* giving due to an overabundance. This unexpected reversal highlights the extraordinary nature of the Israelites' generosity and God's abundant provision. Closely related is **Hyperbole**, implied through the sheer volume of materials that necessitated such a command, suggesting an almost "excessive" or "over-the-top" outpouring of devotion that went beyond mere sufficiency. Furthermore, the verse functions as a **Narrative Climax** for the offering phase of the Tabernacle's construction. It marks the definitive end of the period of freewill contributions, bringing the narrative of the people's enthusiastic response to a decisive and remarkable conclusion before the focus shifts entirely to the work of construction itself.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 36:6 profoundly illustrates the principle of abundant divine provision, often channeled through the willing and generous hearts of God's people. It demonstrates that when God calls His people to a task, He not only provides the means but often does so in overwhelming measure, exceeding all expectations. The Israelites' exceptional generosity was not merely a human act but a divinely inspired response, a testament to a community whose hearts were so moved by God's presence and commands that their giving knew no bounds. This passage underscores that true devotion manifests in radical generosity, where the focus shifts from scarcity to superabundance, reflecting God's own character of limitless grace and provision. It reveals a God who delights in the cheerful giver and whose purposes are always met, often through the unexpected overflow of human willingness.

* [2 Corinthians 9:7](/2_corinthians/9-7 "2 Corinthians 9:7 - God Loves a Cheerful Giver")
* [Philippians 4:19](/philippians/4-19 "Philippians 4:19 - God Will Supply All Your Needs")
* [Proverbs 11:24-25](/proverbs/11-24-25 "Proverbs 11:24-25 - Generosity Leads to Prosperity")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 36:6 presents a compelling challenge and a profound encouragement to believers today, inviting us to examine the depth of our own generosity and commitment to God's work. While few may ever experience a command to cease giving due to an overwhelming surplus, the underlying principle remains: God's purposes are worthy of our most fervent and abundant contributions—whether of time, talent, or treasure. This passage reminds us that genuine devotion often expresses itself in a spirit of giving that moves beyond mere obligation to joyful extravagance, reflecting a heart captivated by God's grace and mission. It calls us to cultivate hearts so responsive to God's leading that our response is characterized by eagerness and an overflowing desire to contribute, trusting that God will always provide what is needed, often through the willing hands of His people. It also serves as a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness to supply all that is needed for His work, and our privilege to participate in it.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does the Israelites' overwhelming generosity reveal about their spiritual condition and their understanding of God's presence among them?**
* **How does the concept of "being restrained from bringing" challenge our modern understanding of giving in the church or for ministry?**
* **In what areas of your life (time, talent, finances) might God be calling you to a level of generosity that reflects the spirit of the Israelites in Exodus 36:6?**

### FAQ
**Was it common for people in ancient times to give so much that they had to be stopped?**

Answer: No, the event described in [Exodus 36:6](/exodus/36-6 "Exodus 36:6 - Moses Commands the People to Stop Giving") is exceptionally rare, if not unique, in ancient Near Eastern history concerning temple or sacred building projects. Typically, such endeavors either relied on forced labor, taxation, or faced significant challenges in securing sufficient resources. The Israelites' spontaneous and overwhelming generosity, to the point where a command to cease giving was necessary, stands as a singular testament to their profound devotion and the unique covenant relationship they had with God following their miraculous deliverance from Egypt and the revelation at [Mount Sinai](/exodus/19 "Exodus 19 - Israel at Mount Sinai"). It underscores the extraordinary spiritual fervor present in the community.

**What happened to the excess materials that were already brought?**

Answer: [Exodus 36:7](/exodus/36-7 "Exodus 36:7 - The Materials Were More Than Enough") explicitly states, "For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the work to make it, and too much." This verse clarifies that the materials already collected were not only sufficient but actually in superabundance, exceeding the requirements for the Tabernacle's construction. The text does not detail what happened to any *remaining* excess after the Tabernacle was completed, as the immediate focus is on the sufficiency and overflowing nature of the provision. The command to stop bringing ensured no further surplus accumulated beyond what was already on hand and confirmed to be "too much," highlighting God's abundant provision and the people's incredible generosity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 36:6, with its remarkable account of overflowing generosity for the Tabernacle, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deeper meaning in Jesus Christ. The Tabernacle, built with such abundant materials, was a temporary dwelling place for God among His people, a tangible shadow pointing to the true and perfect dwelling of God among humanity, which is found in the person of Jesus Christ (cf. [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). The Israelites' willingness to give their best, even to the point of being "restrained from bringing," foreshadows the boundless and unmerited grace of God poured out through Christ, where the "offering" for sin is not human contribution but God's own perfect, singular, and all-sufficient sacrifice (cf. [Hebrews 10:10-14](/hebrews/10-10-14 "Hebrews 10:10-14 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). In Christ, the need for continuous human "work for the offering of the sanctuary" is brought to a definitive halt, not because of an excess of human effort, but because of the singular, all-sufficient, and eternally complete work of the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world (cf. [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). The Spirit-empowered generosity of the New Covenant believer, as seen in the early church sharing all things (cf. [Acts 4:32-35](/acts/4-32-35 "Acts 4:32-35 - The Believers Share All Things")), reflects this same principle of overflowing devotion, now rooted in the superabundance of God's grace revealed in Jesus, where there is always "more than enough" in Him for every need and every good work (cf. [2 Corinthians 9:8](/2_corinthians/9-8 "2 Corinthians 9:8 - God's Abundant Grace")).

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.