And they received of Moses all the offering, which the children of Israel had brought for the work of the service of the sanctuary, to make it withal. And they brought yet unto him free offerings every morning.

EXODUS 36:3KJV
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Exodus 36:3 (KJV)

What does Exodus 36:3 mean?

Exodus 36:3 describes how the skilled workers received from Moses all the offerings that the Israelites had brought for building the sanctuary, and that the people continued to bring additional voluntary offerings every morning. The verse highlights the ongoing generosity of the Israelites in supporting the construction of the sanctuary.

Moses is overseeing the building of the sanctuary, and the people of Israel are responding by bringing gifts and materials. The skilled workers, led by Bezalel and Oholiab, are given these offerings to use in their work. The verse shows that the giving was not a one-time event but a continuous, daily act, reflecting the people's eagerness and commitment to the project.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 36:3

  • "offering" (תְּרוּמָה, terumah): This word refers to a contribution or gift set apart for a special purpose, in this case, the sanctuary. It carries the sense of something lifted up or dedicated.
  • "service" (עֲבֹדָה, avodah): This word means work or service, often used for religious or sacred duties. Here, it emphasizes that the work being done is not just construction but a form of worship.
  • "sanctuary" (קֹדֶשׁ, qodesh): This word means something holy or set apart. The sanctuary is the sacred place where God would dwell among His people.
  • "offerings" (נְדָבָה, nedavah): This word means a freewill or voluntary offering, given out of generosity rather than obligation. The verse notes that these were brought "every morning," showing ongoing willingness.

Why Exodus 36:3 matters

  • Exodus 36:3 clarifies that the building of the sanctuary was a community effort, with ongoing participation from all the people, not just a select few.
  • The verse emphasizes the voluntary nature of the offerings, showing that the people's giving was motivated by willingness and devotion rather than compulsion.
  • This verse connects to the larger narrative by illustrating the Israelites' response to God's instructions, highlighting their unity and enthusiasm in supporting the worship of God.

Where else these words appear

“offerings” Hebrew H5071 · used in 25 verses

  • Exodus 35:29 The children of Israel brought a willing offering unto the LORD, every man and woman, whose heart made them willing to bring for all manner of work, which the LORD had commanded to be made by the hand of Moses.
  • Deuteronomy 12:6 And thither ye shall bring your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, and your tithes, and heave offerings of your hand, and your vows, and your freewill offerings, and the firstlings of your herds and of your flocks:
  • Ezra 8:28 And I said unto them, Ye are holy unto the LORD; the vessels are holy also; and the silver and the gold are a freewill offering unto the LORD God of your fathers.

“offering” Hebrew H8641 · used in 63 verses

  • Exodus 25:2 Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering.
  • Numbers 15:20 Ye shall offer up a cake of the first of your dough for an heave offering: as ye do the heave offering of the threshingfloor, so shall ye heave it.
  • Nehemiah 10:37 And that we should bring the firstfruits of our dough, and our offerings, and the fruit of all manner of trees, of wine and of oil, unto the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and the tithes of our ground unto the Levites, that the same Levites might have the tithes in all the cities of our tillage.

“service” Hebrew H5656 · used in 125 verses

  • Genesis 29:27 Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years.
  • Numbers 4:31 And this is the charge of their burden, according to all their service in the tabernacle of the congregation; the boards of the tabernacle, and the bars thereof, and the pillars thereof, and sockets thereof,
  • 1 Chronicles 23:26 And also unto the Levites; they shall no more carry the tabernacle, nor any vessels of it for the service thereof.

“work” Hebrew H4399 · used in 149 verses

  • Genesis 2:2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
  • Numbers 29:1 And in the seventh month, on the first day of the month, ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work: it is a day of blowing the trumpets unto you.
  • 2 Chronicles 24:13 So the workmen wrought, and the work was perfected by them, and they set the house of God in his state, and strengthened it.