And Moses gave commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, Let neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary. So the people were restrained from bringing.

EXODUS 36:6KJV
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Exodus 36:6 (KJV)

What does Exodus 36:6 mean?

Exodus 36:6 describes how Moses gave an order that was announced throughout the Israelite camp, telling everyone to stop bringing more materials for the sanctuary offering because they already had enough. The people were so generous in their giving that Moses had to restrain them from bringing any more.

Moses is speaking to the whole community of Israel while they are in the wilderness, overseeing the building of the sanctuary (the tabernacle). The verse shows a moment where the people's willingness to give exceeded what was needed, so a public proclamation was made to halt further contributions. This highlights both the people's generosity and Moses' responsibility to manage the resources wisely.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 36:6

  • "Proclaimed" (קוֹל, qôl and עָבַר, ʿāvar): The Hebrew uses two words here—one for the "voice" or "sound" (קוֹל, qôl) and another for "passing through" (עָבַר, ʿāvar)—to show that the announcement was spread widely and made sure everyone heard it throughout the camp.
  • "Restrained" (כָּלָא, kāla’): This word means to hold back or prevent. It emphasizes that the people had to be actively stopped from giving more, showing the depth of their willingness.

Why Exodus 36:6 matters

  • This verse clears up any idea that the Israelites were reluctant to give; instead, they gave so much that Moses had to intervene.
  • It highlights the careful management of resources for the sanctuary, showing that the leaders were attentive to both generosity and practical needs.
  • The verse connects to the larger story of building the tabernacle, showing the unity and enthusiasm of the people in supporting a shared sacred project.

Where else these words appear

“restrained” Hebrew H3607 · used in 17 verses

  • Genesis 8:2 The fountains also of the deep and the windows of heaven were stopped, and the rain from heaven was restrained;
  • Psalms 40:9 I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.
  • Isaiah 43:6 I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;

“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.

“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.