And all the women that were wise hearted did spin with their hands, and brought that which they had spun, both of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine linen.

EXODUS 35:25KJV
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Exodus 35:25 (KJV)

What does Exodus 35:25 mean?

Exodus 35:25 describes how all the women who were skilled and wise-hearted spun thread with their hands and brought what they had made—specifically blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, as well as fine linen—for use in constructing the tabernacle. The verse highlights the active role and craftsmanship of these women in the community’s sacred project.

In this passage, Moses is relaying instructions to the Israelites about gathering materials for building the tabernacle, the portable sanctuary for worship. The verse singles out women who were “wise-hearted,” meaning those with skill and understanding, who contributed by spinning and donating their handiwork. This detail shows that the building of the tabernacle was a community effort, involving both men and women, and that practical skills were highly valued in serving a sacred purpose.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 35:25

  • The phrase “wise-hearted” uses לֵב (lev, “heart”) and חָכָם (chakam, “wise”), together meaning those who are skillful or have understanding, not just intellectual wisdom but practical ability and willingness.
  • The word for “spin” is טָוָה (tavah, “to spin”), emphasizing the hands-on, manual labor involved. This highlights the real, tangible work these women did, not just a symbolic gesture.
  • The colors “blue” (תְּכֵלֶת, tekhelet), “purple” (אַרְגָּמָן, argaman), and “scarlet” (שָׁנִי, shani; תּוֹלַעַת, tola’at) refer to expensive, vibrant dyes, showing that the materials were both beautiful and valuable.
  • “Fine linen” (שֵׁשׁ, shesh) refers to high-quality, bleached linen, a prized fabric in the ancient world, indicating the care and excellence put into the work.

Why Exodus 35:25 matters

  • Exodus 35:25 corrects the idea that only men or leaders contributed to building the tabernacle; it shows that women’s skills and labor were essential and honored.
  • The verse emphasizes that wisdom in the Bible often includes practical skill and willingness to serve, not just knowledge or learning.
  • This detail connects to the wider passage by illustrating how the whole community, each with their unique abilities, participated in creating a place for worship—making the tabernacle a true work of the people.

Where else these words appear

“spin” Hebrew H2901 · used in 2 verses

  • Exodus 35:26 And all the women whose heart stirred them up in wisdom spun goats' hair.

“linen” Hebrew H8336 · used in 37 verses

  • Genesis 41:42 And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck;
  • Exodus 28:39 And thou shalt embroider the coat of fine linen, and thou shalt make the mitre of fine linen, and thou shalt make the girdle of needlework.
  • Exodus 39:3 And they did beat the gold into thin plates, and cut it into wires, to work it in the blue, and in the purple, and in the scarlet, and in the fine linen, with cunning work.

“purple” Hebrew H713 · used in 38 verses

  • Exodus 25:4 And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats' hair,
  • Exodus 35:35 Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart, to work all manner of work, of the engraver, and of the cunning workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, and in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, even of them that do any work, and of those that devise cunning work.
  • Exodus 39:29 And a girdle of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, of needlework; as the LORD commanded Moses.

“scarlet” Hebrew H8144 · used in 42 verses

  • Genesis 38:28 And it came to pass, when she travailed, that the one put out his hand: and the midwife took and bound upon his hand a scarlet thread, saying, This came out first.
  • Exodus 35:23 And every man, with whom was found blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats' hair, and red skins of rams, and badgers' skins, brought them.
  • Leviticus 14:4 Then shall the priest command to take for him that is to be cleansed two birds alive and clean, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop: