And Moses gathered all the congregation of the children of Israel together, and said unto them, These are the words which the LORD hath commanded, that ye should do them.

EXODUS 35:1KJV
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Exodus 35:1 (KJV)

What does Exodus 35:1 mean?

Exodus 35:1 describes Moses gathering all the Israelites together and telling them the specific instructions that the LORD had commanded them to follow. This verse sets the stage for Moses to communicate God’s words directly to the people, emphasizing that what follows are not his own ideas but commands from the LORD.

Moses is the speaker, addressing the entire “congregation” or assembly of the children of Israel after they have left Egypt and are in the wilderness. The verse highlights the importance of communal obedience, as Moses brings everyone together to hear the LORD’s instructions. This moment marks the beginning of a new section where Moses will relay detailed commands, especially about building the tabernacle and observing the Sabbath.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 35:1

  • “Congregation” (עֵדָה, ‘edah): This word refers to the whole community or assembly of Israel, not just a select group. It underscores that these commands are meant for everyone, not just leaders or elders.
  • “Gathered” (קָהַל, qāhal): This verb means to assemble or call together. It shows that Moses is intentionally bringing all the people together in one place for a unified purpose.
  • “Words” (דָּבָר, davar): This term often means “matters” or “things” as well as “words.” Here, it stresses that what Moses is about to say carries real weight and substance, not just casual speech.
  • “LORD” (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of God, reminding the people that the commands come from their covenant God, not a distant or generic deity.

Why Exodus 35:1 matters

  • Exodus 35:1 makes it clear that the instructions Moses is about to share are not his own, but are directly from the LORD, giving them divine authority.
  • By gathering the entire congregation, the verse emphasizes that obedience to God’s commands is a communal responsibility, not just an individual one.
  • This verse introduces a key transition in Exodus, moving from the narrative of Israel’s journey to the practical instructions for building the tabernacle and keeping the Sabbath, showing the importance of both worship and rest in Israel’s life.

Where else these words appear

“gathered” Hebrew H6950 · used in 39 verses

  • Exodus 32:1 And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.
  • Deuteronomy 4:10 Specially the day that thou stoodest before the LORD thy God in Horeb, when the LORD said unto me, Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children.
  • 2 Chronicles 5:2 Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel, unto Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the city of David, which is Zion.

“congregation” Hebrew H5712 · used in 140 verses

  • Exodus 12:3 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:
  • Numbers 15:25 And the priest shall make an atonement for all the congregation of the children of Israel, and it shall be forgiven them; for it is ignorance: and they shall bring their offering, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD, and their sin offering before the LORD, for their ignorance:
  • Numbers 31:16 Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD.