Exodus 36:7

KJV

For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the work to make it, and too much.

KJV (with Strong's)

For the stuff {H4399} they had was sufficient {H1767} for all the work {H4399} to make {H6213} it, and too much {H3498}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For what they had already was not only sufficient for doing all the work, but too much!

Berean Standard Bible

since what they already had was more than enough to perform all the work.

American Standard Version

For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the work to make it, and too much.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 36:7 stands as a powerful testament to the overwhelming generosity of the Israelite community in response to God's call for contributions toward the Tabernacle's construction. This verse succinctly declares that the materials gathered were not merely adequate for the monumental task, but were in such abundant supply that they far exceeded the requirements, necessitating a halt to further offerings. It beautifully illustrates the principle of divine sufficiency met through human willingness and highlights the remarkable unity and devotion of the people in fulfilling God's sacred architectural vision.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Exodus 36:7 is strategically placed within the narrative detailing the construction of the Tabernacle, immediately following the people's enthusiastic response to Moses' call for freewill offerings and the subsequent report from the skilled craftsmen. Chapters [Exodus 25-31](/exodus/25 "Exodus 25-31 - Tabernacle Instructions") meticulously lay out God's precise and intricate blueprints for the Tabernacle and its furnishings, emphasizing the divine origin of the project. Moses then relays these instructions to the Israelites in [Exodus 35](/exodus/35 "Exodus 35 - Call for Offerings and Workers"), specifically calling for "everyone whose heart was stirred" to bring their contributions ([Exodus 35:5](/exodus/35-5 "Exodus 35:5 - Freewill Offerings")). The response was immediate and overwhelming, as described in [Exodus 35:20-29](/exodus/35-20 "Exodus 35:20-29 - The People's Generous Response"). By [Exodus 36:3](/exodus/36-3 "Exodus 36:3 - Craftsmen Receive Offerings"), the craftsmen were already receiving so much that they had to approach Moses, reporting in [Exodus 36:5-6](/exodus/36-5 "Exodus 36:5-6 - More Than Enough") that the people were bringing "much more than enough for the service of the work." Verse 7 then serves as the climax of this outpouring, confirming the surplus and justifying Moses' subsequent command for the people to cease their offerings. This narrative sequence underscores God's ability to move the hearts of His people to provide abundantly for His purposes.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The construction of the Tabernacle occurred during Israel's wilderness journey, a period of profound formation for the nascent nation. Having recently been delivered from slavery in Egypt, the Israelites were learning to live as God's covenant people, guided by divine law and presence. The Tabernacle was to be the central place of worship, a portable sanctuary where God's glory would dwell among His people, symbolizing His presence and providing a means of atonement and communion. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, temples and sacred structures were often built through the forced labor or taxation of the populace. However, the Tabernacle's construction was unique in its reliance on freewill offerings, emphasizing a willing and joyful participation from the community. This act of giving was not merely a practical necessity but a spiritual act, demonstrating their devotion and trust in God's provision even in the harsh wilderness environment. The materials themselves—gold, silver, bronze, fine linen, and precious stones—were often spoils from their departure from Egypt ([Exodus 12:35-36](/exodus/12-35 "Exodus 12:35-36 - Spoils from Egypt")), highlighting God's prior provision that now enabled their generous response for His dwelling place. The historical context thus frames this surplus as a miraculous display of God's power to stir hearts and provide, transforming the material wealth of a recently enslaved people into sacred resources for His glory.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sufficient (Hebrew, _day_):** This word (דַּי) literally means "enough," "sufficiency," or "adequacy." Its use here indicates that the quantity of materials had reached the necessary level to complete the entire project. It implies a complete meeting of the need, leaving no deficit.
* **Too much (Hebrew, _yother_):** Derived from the verb יָתַר (_yatar_), meaning "to remain," "to be left over," or "to exceed," this word (יוֹתֵר) emphatically conveys the idea of an excess or surplus. The combination with "sufficient" creates a powerful statement: not only was there enough, but there was an abundance beyond what was required. This highlights the overflowing nature of the people's generosity and God's provision.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the work to make it":** This clause confirms that the accumulated materials (referring to the gold, silver, bronze, fabrics, and other items mentioned in [Exod 35:5-9](/exodus/35-5 "Exodus 35:5-9 - List of Tabernacle Materials")) had reached the necessary quantity to complete every aspect of the Tabernacle's construction, including its structure, furnishings, and priestly garments. The word "stuff" here refers to the raw materials and resources gathered for the specific task.
* **"and too much":** This short, emphatic phrase serves as a powerful addendum, underscoring the extraordinary nature of the contributions. It signifies that the supply not only met the demand but exceeded it considerably, resulting in an overflow. This surplus was so significant that it prompted the craftsmen to inform Moses, leading to the command to cease further offerings. It speaks to the lavishness of the people's giving and the abundance of God's blessing.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 36:7 employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Emphasis**, achieved through the stark, almost redundant, declaration that the materials were both "sufficient" and "too much." This repetition amplifies the idea of overabundance, ensuring the reader grasps the extraordinary nature of the provision. There is also an element of **Hyperbole**, not in the sense of exaggeration, but in the sense of a divine and human generosity that transcends mere adequacy, leading to an overflowing surplus. This surplus itself functions as **Symbolism**, representing not only the Israelites' wholehearted devotion and unity but also God's abundant provision and blessing upon their willing obedience. The narrative structure leading up to this verse, with the detailed instructions followed by the enthusiastic response and then the report of excess, creates a dramatic arc that culminates in this declaration of superabundance, highlighting the miraculous nature of the collective effort.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 36:7 profoundly illustrates the theological principle that when God calls His people to a task, He also provides the means, often in superabundance, through the willing hearts of His followers. The "too much" signifies not just human generosity, but divine sufficiency and blessing that accompanies faithful obedience. This overflow demonstrates God's commitment to His dwelling place among His people and His ability to stir their hearts to give beyond what is merely required, showcasing His boundless resources. It establishes a pattern of God's provision exceeding human expectation when His people respond with open hands and willing spirits.

* [2 Corinthians 9:8](/2_corinthians/9-8 "2 Corinthians 9:8 - God's Abundant Grace")
* [Philippians 4:19](/philippians/4-19 "Philippians 4:19 - God Supplies All Needs")
* [Proverbs 11:24](/proverbs/11-24 "Proverbs 11:24 - Generosity Leads to Abundance")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 36:7 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers, reminding us that true generosity stems from a heart stirred by God, leading to an overflow that not only meets needs but often exceeds them. This verse challenges us to consider our own posture towards God's work: are we merely giving what is convenient, or are we giving with a spirit of lavishness, trusting that God will multiply our efforts and provide abundantly for His purposes? It encourages us to participate wholeheartedly in the collective mission of the church, recognizing that when each member contributes their unique gifts and resources with a willing heart, the collective impact can be far greater than the sum of its parts. The "too much" serves as a powerful reminder that God is not limited by our perceived scarcity but delights in demonstrating His limitless provision through the faithfulness of His people. It fosters a spirit of audacious faith, knowing that when God initiates a work, He will ensure its completion, often in ways that surprise and humble us with His overflowing grace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life or service am I holding back, rather than giving with a spirit of "too much" generosity?**
* **How does the abundance in Exodus 36:7 challenge my understanding of God's provision for His work today?**
* **What does this verse teach me about the power and impact of collective, willing participation in God's kingdom initiatives?**
* **How can I cultivate a heart that is more readily "stirred" to give, not just financially, but with my time, talents, and energy?**

### FAQ

**Why did the Israelites have so much "stuff" to give in the wilderness?**

Answer: The Israelites were able to give so generously because God had already provided for them. When they left Egypt, the Egyptians, eager for their departure, gave them vast amounts of gold, silver, and clothing, fulfilling God's promise to Abraham that his descendants would leave Egypt with great possessions ([Exodus 12:35-36](/exodus/12-35 "Exodus 12:35-36 - Spoils from Egypt") and [Genesis 15:14](/genesis/15-14 "Genesis 15:14 - Abrahamic Covenant")). This wealth, which they had carried with them through the wilderness, was now consecrated to God's service for the construction of His dwelling place. Their ability to give was a direct result of God's prior provision and miraculous intervention on their behalf.

**Does this verse imply that God always wants us to give "too much" or that there will always be a surplus in ministry?**

Answer: While Exodus 36:7 highlights a remarkable instance of overwhelming abundance, it primarily underscores the principle of generous and willing giving in response to God's call, and God's faithfulness to provide. It doesn't necessarily mandate a "too much" surplus in every ministry endeavor, but it does illustrate God's capacity to provide beyond our expectations when His people are obedient and generous. The emphasis is on the heart of the giver—a willing and cheerful spirit ([2 Corinthians 9:7](/2_corinthians/9-7 "2 Corinthians 9:7 - Cheerful Giving"))—and God's ability to ensure His work is completed, often with more than enough resources. It serves as an encouragement that God is not limited by human scarcity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 36:7, with its declaration of "sufficient... and too much" for the Tabernacle, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Tabernacle itself was a temporary dwelling place for God among His people, a shadow pointing to the ultimate reality of God dwelling with humanity. Jesus is the true Tabernacle, the Word made flesh who "dwelt among us" ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), embodying God's presence in a way that the physical structure could only foreshadow. The overflowing generosity of the Israelites, resulting in a surplus of materials for a temporal sanctuary, pales in comparison to the "too much" grace and love poured out through Christ's sacrifice. His atonement on the cross was not merely "sufficient" for our sins, but "too much"—an infinite, superabundant act of redemption that covers all sin for all time, offering a salvation far exceeding our need or comprehension ([Romans 5:20](/romans/5-20 "Romans 5:20 - Grace Abounds More")). Just as the materials were given freely and abundantly for God's dwelling, Christ freely gave Himself, the ultimate and perfect offering, providing an inexhaustible supply of spiritual blessings and eternal life ([Ephesians 1:3-8](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3-8 - Spiritual Blessings in Christ")). The "too much" of Exodus 36:7 foreshadows the boundless, immeasurable riches of God's grace found in Christ Jesus, who is the ultimate and eternal provision for our greatest need.

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 Chronicles 31:10

And Azariah the chief priest of the house of Zadok answered him, and said, Since [the people] began to bring the offerings into the house of the LORD, we have had enough to eat, and have left plenty: for the LORD hath blessed his people; and that which is left [is] this great store.