Exodus 35:23 (KJV)

What does Exodus 35:23 mean?

Exodus 35:23 describes how every man among the Israelites who possessed valuable materials—such as blue, purple, and scarlet cloth, fine linen, goats’ hair, red rams’ skins, and badgers’ skins—brought them as offerings. The verse highlights the people’s willingness to contribute what they had for the construction of the tabernacle.

In this passage, Moses is speaking to the Israelites after coming down from Mount Sinai. He is relaying God’s instructions for gathering materials needed to build the tabernacle, the sacred tent where God would dwell among them. The verse emphasizes that the offerings came from what people already had, showing a communal effort and generosity in supporting a shared spiritual project.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 35:23

• The word for "man" is אִישׁ (ish, H376), which refers to an individual male but can also represent people in general, highlighting that the call to give was broad and inclusive.
• "Blue" is תְּכֵלֶת (tekhelet, H8504), a rare and valuable dye often associated with royalty or sacred use, showing the preciousness of what was being offered.
• "Goats’" is עֵז (ez, H5795), referring to the hair of goats, which was commonly used for making durable tent coverings, indicating both practical and precious materials were needed.
• "Badgers’" is תַּחַשׁ (tachash, H8476), a term whose exact meaning is uncertain but is often understood as a type of durable animal skin, possibly from a sea creature or a unique animal, showing the diversity and richness of the materials.

Why Exodus 35:23 matters

• This verse clarifies that the materials for the tabernacle were not demanded from everyone equally but were brought by those who already possessed them, emphasizing voluntary giving.
• The detailed list of materials connects to earlier instructions in Exodus, showing the Israelites’ obedience and the fulfillment of God’s specific requirements for worship.
• By naming both luxury items and practical materials, the verse highlights that all kinds of contributions—whether rare or common—were valuable for the community’s sacred work.