Exodus 35:20-29 · Bible study
Exodus 35:20-29 Commentary: A Freewill Offering from Willing Hearts
Hebrew · 11 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Exodus 35:20-29 shows the whole community freely giving goods and skills for the tabernacle, highlighting voluntary, heart-driven generosity.
Research Summary
- Meaning: The whole community freely donated materials and skills to build the tabernacle, motivated by inner stirring rather than coercion.
- Key words: “willing heart” (נָדִיב לֵב, nadiv lev), “stirred him up” (נָשָׂא, nasa, lit. lifted him), “wise-hearted” (חָכָם לֵב, chakham lev).
- Main debate: The significance of “departed from the presence of Moses”, most see it as indicating premeditated giving, though a few question whether it implies a chronological gap or a change in location for the offering.
- Theological theme: God desires offerings that arise from a willing, premeditated heart; the tabernacle was built by freewill gifts of possessions and skills.
- Best use: Sermon or lesson on generous stewardship, lay participation in worship, and the value of skilled labor offered to God.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
20Then the whole congregation of Israel withdrew from the presence of Moses.
21And everyone whose heart stirred him and whose spirit prompted him came and brought an offering to the LORD for the work on the Tent of Meeting, for all its services, and for the holy garments.
22So all who had willing hearts, both men and women, came and brought brooches and earrings, rings and necklaces, and all kinds of gold jewelry. And they all presented their gold as a wave offering to the LORD.
23Everyone who had blue, purple, or scarlet yarn, or fine linen, goat hair, ram skins dyed red, or articles of fine leather, brought them.
24And all who could present an offering of silver or bronze brought it as a contribution to the LORD. Also, everyone who had acacia wood for any part of the service brought it.
25Every skilled woman spun with her hands and brought what she had spun: blue, purple, or scarlet yarn, or fine linen.
26And all the skilled women whose hearts were stirred spun the goat hair.
27The leaders brought onyx stones and gemstones to mount on the ephod and breastpiece,
28as well as spices and olive oil for the light, for the anointing oil, and for the fragrant incense.
29So all the men and women of the Israelites whose hearts prompted them brought a freewill offering to the LORD for all the work that the LORD through Moses had commanded them to do.
WEB World English Bible 2000
20All the congregation of the children of Israel departed from the presence of Moses.
21They came, everyone whose heart stirred him up, and everyone whom his spirit made willing, and brought Yahweh’s offering for the work of the Tent of Meeting, and for all of its service, and for the holy garments.
22They came, both men and women, as many as were willing-hearted, and brought brooches, earrings, signet rings, and armlets, all jewels of gold; even every man who offered an offering of gold to Yahweh.
23Everyone with whom was found blue, purple, scarlet, fine linen, goats’ hair, rams’ skins dyed red, and sea cow hides, brought them.
24Everyone who offered an offering of silver and bronze brought Yahweh’s offering; and everyone with whom was found acacia wood for any work of the service, brought it.
25All the women who were wise-hearted spun with their hands, and brought that which they had spun: the blue, the purple, the scarlet, and the fine linen.
26All the women whose heart stirred them up in wisdom spun the goats’ hair.
27The rulers brought the onyx stones and the stones to be set for the ephod and for the breastplate;
28with the spice and the oil for the light, for the anointing oil, and for the sweet incense.
29The children of Israel brought a free will offering to Yahweh; every man and woman whose heart made them willing to bring for all the work, which Yahweh had commanded to be made by Moses.
KJV King James Version 1769
20And all the congregation of the children of Israel departed from the presence of Moses.
21And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, and they brought the Lord’s offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation, and for all his service, and for the holy garments.
22And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing hearted, and brought bracelets, and earrings, and rings, and tablets, all jewels of gold: and every man that offered offered an offering of gold unto the Lord.
23And 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.
24Every one that did offer an offering of silver and brass brought the Lord’s offering: and every man, with whom was found shittim wood for any work of the service, brought it.
25And 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.
26And all the women whose heart stirred them up in wisdom spun goats’ hair.
27And the rulers brought onyx stones, and stones to be set, for the ephod, and for the breastplate;
28And spice, and oil for the light, and for the anointing oil, and for the sweet incense.
29The 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.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
20And all the congregation of the children of Israel departed from the presence of Moses.
21And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, andbrought Jehovah’s offering, for the work of the tent of meeting, and for all the service thereof, and for the holy garments.
22And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing-hearted, and brought brooches, and ear-rings, and signet-rings, and armlets, all jewels of gold; even every man that offered an offering of gold unto Jehovah.
23And every man, with whom was found blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats’ hair, and rams’ skins dyed red, and sealskins, brought them.
24Every one that did offer an offering of silver and brass brought Jehovah’s offering; and every man, with whom was found acacia wood for any work of the service, brought it.
25And all the women that were wise-hearted did spin with their hands, and brought that which they had spun, the blue, and the purple, the scarlet, and the fine linen.
26And all the women whose heart stirred them up in wisdom spun the goats’ hair.
27And the rulers brought the onyx stones, and the stones to be set, for the ephod, and for the breastplate;
28and the spice, and the oil; for the light, and for the anointing oil, and for the sweet incense.
29The children of Israel brought a freewill-offering unto Jehovah; every man and woman, whose heart made them willing to bring for all the work, which Jehovah had commanded to be made by Moses.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
20And all the company of the sons of Israel go out from the presence of Moses,
21and they come in--every man whom his heart hath lifted up, and every one whom his spirit hath made willing--they have brought in the heave-offering of Jehovah for the work of the tent of meeting, and for all its service, and for the holy garments.
22And they come in--the men with the women--every willing-hearted one--they have brought in nose-ring, and ear-ring, and seal-ring, and necklace, all golden goods, even every one who hath waved a wave-offering of gold to Jehovah.
23And every man with whom hath been found blue, and purple, and scarlet, and linen, and goats' hair , and rams' skins made red, and badgers' skins, have brought them in;
24every one lifting up a heave-offering of silver and brass have brought in the heave-offering of Jehovah; and every one with whom hath been found shittim wood for any work of the service brought it in.
25And every wise-hearted woman hath spun with her hands, and they bring in yarn, the blue, and the purple, the scarlet, and the linen;
26and all the women whose heart hath lifted them up in wisdom, have spun the goats' hair .
27And the princes have brought in the shoham stones, and the stones for settings, for the ephod, and for the breastplate,
28and the spices, and the oil for the light, and for the anointing oil, and for the spice perfume;
29every man and woman (whom their heart hath made willing to bring in for all the work which Jehovah commanded to be done by the hand of Moses) of the sons of Israel brought in a willing-offering to Jehovah.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
20And all the assembly of the children of Israel departed from before Moses.
21And they came, every one whose heart moved him, and every one whose spirit prompted him; they brought Jehovah's heave-offering for the work of the tent of meeting, and for all its service, and for the holy garments.
22And they came, both men and women; every one who was of willing heart brought nose-rings, and earrings, and rings, and bracelets, all kinds of utensils of gold: every man that waved a wave-offering of gold to Jehovah.
23And every man with whom was found blue, and purple, and scarlet, and byssus, and goats' [hair], and rams' skins dyed red, and badgers' skins, brought [them].
24All they that offered a heave-offering of silver and copper brought Jehovah's heave-offering. And every one with whom was found acacia-wood for all manner of work of the service, brought [it].
25And every woman that was wise-hearted spun with her hands, and brought what she had spun: the blue, and the purple, and the scarlet, and the byssus.
26And all the women whose heart moved them in wisdom spun goats' [hair].
27And the principal men brought the onyx stones, and the stones to be set, for the ephod, and for the breastplate;
28and the spice, and the oil for the light, and for the anointing oil, and for the incense of fragrant drugs.
29The children of Israel brought a voluntary offering to Jehovah, every man and woman whose heart prompted them to bring for all manner of work, which Jehovah, by the hand of Moses, had commanded to be done.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
20And all the multitude of the children of Israel going out from the presence of Moses,
21Offered firstfruits to the Lord with a most ready and devout mind, to make the work of the tabernacle of the testimony. Whatever was necessary to the service and to the holy vestments,
22Both men and women gave bracelets and earrings, rings and tablets: every vessel of gold was set aside to be offered to the Lord.
23If any man had violet, and purple, and scarlet twice dyed, fine linen and goats' hair, ramskins dyed red, and violet coloured skins,
24Metal of silver and brass, they offered it to the Lord, and setim wood for divers uses.
25The skilful women also gave such things as they had spun, violet, purple, and scarlet, and fine linen,
26And goats' hair, giving all of their own accord.
27But the princes offered onyx stones, and precious stones, for the ephod and the rational,
28And spices and oil for the lights, and for the preparing of ointment, and to make the incense of most sweet savour.
29All, both men and women, with devout mind offered gifts, that the works might be done which the Lord had commanded by the hand of Moses. All the children of Israel dedicated voluntary offerings to the Lord.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · Exodus 35:20
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that Exodus 35:20-29 portrays an ideal response to God's call: a whole community giving freely, premeditatedly, and joyfully. Adam Clarke notes the phrase “heart stirred him up” is literally “whose heart was lifted up,” implying deep affection for the work. John Calvin emphasizes that the people left Moses’ presence, went to their tents, and considered what they would give, their liberality is praiseworthy because it was deliberate, not impulsive. The Cambridge Bible calls the scene “an ideal picture of a community ready and eager to contribute liberally.” Matthew Henry observes that the offerings were not coerced; each person gave as the Spirit moved them. Across traditions, the central point is clear: God desires offerings that originate in a willing heart, not from obligation or pressure.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: The people responded freely with a wide range of materials and skills to build the tabernacle, motivated by inner prompting from their hearts and spirits, not by compulsion.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning of 'departed from the presence of Moses' | The people physically left Moses and went to their tents; they did not give on the spot but considered first. | Calvin and others emphasize this shows premeditated generosity; some wonder whether it simply reflects narrative sequence without theological weight. |
| Role of women in the offering | Women actively contributed goods (jewelry, yarn) and skilled labor (spinning). Their participation was essential and recognized. | The phrase 'wise-hearted' is interpreted either as 'skilful' (technical spinning ability) or as 'spiritually wise' (led by God’s wisdom). Both readings affirm the value of women's work. |
| Contributions of the rulers | The rulers brought the most costly items (onyx stones, spices, oil). They served as examples of generous giving. | Some see this as setting a pattern for leadership; others point out they simply had more valuable possessions, and their offering is recorded to show that all levels of society participated. |
| Relation to the golden calf incident | The generous response contrasts with the earlier rebellion and demonstrates the community's renewed commitment. | Some commentators (e.g., Jamieson-Fausset-Brown) see the offering partly as an expression of repentance; others (e.g., Calvin) note the sequence is not strictly chronological and downplay a direct causal link. |
Historical & Cultural Context
This passage occurs just after Moses has descended from Mount Sinai and conveyed God's detailed instructions for the tabernacle (Exodus 25, 31). The people have recently sinned with the golden calf, and the covenant has been renewed. Now Moses appeals for materials and skilled labor. The phrase “departed from the presence of Moses” (v.20) is significant: the people heard the call, went to their tents, and took time to decide what to give. Calvin remarks that this premeditation makes their offering more valuable than a spontaneous impulse, which often leads to regret.
The items listed reflect what the Israelites brought from Egypt: gold jewelry (brooches, earrings, signet rings, armlets), yarn of blue, purple, scarlet, fine linen, goat hair, acacia wood, and precious stones. These were not commodities found in the wilderness; they were treasured possessions originally given to them by the Egyptians at the exodus (Exodus 12:35-36). Giving them up for the sanctuary was a real sacrifice of personal luxury. The women’s spinning is highlighted; spinning was a common household craft, yet here it was offered as a skilled contribution to God’s house. The rulers brought onyx stones and spices, more costly items, in keeping with their greater resources. The entire passage underscores that every social group participated: ordinary men and women, the poor (offering goat hair and yarn), and the wealthy (offering jewels and metals). No one was coerced; the repeated phrases “whose heart stirred him up” and “whose spirit made willing” (vv.21, 22, 26, 29) root the giving in inner motivation, not external pressure.
Textual Notes
The supplied sources note no significant textual variants for Exodus 35:20-29. The Hebrew text is stable across manuscripts. The main differences among English translations reflect how to render specific items (e.g., “badgers’ skins” vs. “dolphin skins” for תְּחָשִׁים, or “brooches” vs. “bracelets” for חָח), but these do not affect the overall meaning of the passage.
Reception History
From the early church onward, Exodus 35:20-29 has been held up as a model of freewill giving and lay participation in worship. The passage was often cited by church fathers like Chrysostom and Augustine to encourage spontaneous generosity for building churches and supporting the poor. In the Reformation, Calvin and Luther used it to argue that true worship arises from a willing heart, not from compulsory tithes or ecclesiastical pressure. Jewish tradition likewise has seen this moment as a paradigm for giving to the sanctuary, emphasizing that every person, rich, poor, male, female, could contribute what they had. The passage remains a key text for teaching stewardship and the idea that God values the giver’s heart above the size of the gift.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- The Call to Give: Moses’ summons is a test of the heart, will the people respond willingly? God does not demand a specific amount but a free response (v.21).
- The Response of the People: Every person whose heart moved them brought something, gold, yarn, wood, skill. The offering was comprehensive, involving materials, labor, and leadership (vv.22-28).
- The Result: A freewill offering enough for the whole work. The community’s unity and generosity mirror the pattern of God’s own generosity (v.29).
Five-point outline
- Motivation from Within: The offering originates in a heart lifted up and a spirit made willing, not in external pressure (v.21).
- Universality of Participation: Both men and women, skilled and unskilled, rich and poor, everyone who was willing contributed (vv.22-24).
- Skill as Offering: The “wise-hearted” women spun yarn; their craft was given as a gift for the sanctuary (vv.25-26).
- Leadership by Example: The rulers brought the most precious and costly items, setting a pattern of sacrificial giving (vv.27-28).
- Voluntary Completion: The passage ends with a summary: all gave freely, and the work was done as God commanded (v.29).
Illustration hooks
- A church building campaign where members donate not only money but also skills: a carpenter builds pews, a chef cooks meals for workers, a retired accountant manages finances. Each gives what they have.
- A family decides together to forgo a vacation or a major purchase to sponsor a mission project, each member contributing something personal, children give their allowance, parents give professional time.
- A community after a natural disaster: everyone brings what they can, food, tools, time, no one waits to be told, but those who are able just start helping.
Questions your congregation is asking
- How do I know if my giving is “willing” enough? Does God care about the attitude behind the gift?
- What can I offer if I don’t have much money or obvious skills? Does my small contribution really matter?
- Should we as a church only accept money, or should we invite people to give their time, talents, and material goods for special projects?
Leading a Discussion
Read Exodus 35:20-29 together. Notice that the people leave Moses, go to their tents, and then return with offerings. This pause suggests they did not give on impulse; they gave after thought and deliberation. As you discuss, consider how your own giving, of time, money, skills, might be more deliberate and heart-driven.
Discussion questions
- What kinds of items did the people bring? Who brought what? (vv.22-28)
- Why does the text repeatedly use phrases like “whose heart stirred him up” and “whose spirit made willing”? What does that tell you about the kind of giving God values?
- Calvin notes that the people went first to their tents to consider; their offering was premeditated. How does premeditation affect the quality of a gift compared to a spontaneous one?
- The women are described as “wise-hearted” (vv.25-26) and they spun as their contribution. What does this say about using professional or household skills for God’s work?
- The rulers gave onyx stones and spices, more costly items (vv.27-28). How does leadership set a tone for generosity in a community?
- In what ways might the shadow of the golden calf (Exodus 32) affect how we read this generous response? Is the freewill offering a kind of repentance?
- Think of a time you gave something that cost you personally, time, money, a treasured object. How did your heart feel during and after the gift? What does this teach about the connection between giving and worship?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Exodus 25:2 | “Speak to the children of Israel, that they take an offering for me. From everyone whose heart makes him willing you shall take my offering. |
| Exodus 35:5 | ‘Take from among you an offering to Yahweh. Whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it as Yahweh’s offering: gold, silver, bronze, |
| Exodus 36:2 | Moses called Bezalel and Oholiab, and every wise-hearted man, in whose heart Yahweh had put wisdom, even everyone whose heart stirred him up to come to the work to do it. |
| Judges 5:3 | “Hear, you kings! Give ear, you princes! I, even I, will sing to Yahweh. I will sing praise to Yahweh, the God of Israel. |
| Judges 5:9 | My heart is toward the governors of Israel, who offered themselves willingly among the people. Bless Yahweh! |
| Judges 5:12 | ‘Awake, awake, Deborah! Awake, awake, utter a song! Arise, Barak, and lead away your captives, you son of Abinoam.’ |
| II Samuel 7:27 | For you, Yahweh of Armies, the God of Israel, have revealed to your servant, saying, ‘I will build you a house.’ Therefore your servant has found in his heart to pray this prayer to you. |
| I Chronicles 28:2 | Then David the king stood up on his feet and said, “Hear me, my brothers and my people! As for me, it was in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of Yahweh’s covenant, and for the footstool of our God; and I had prepared for the building. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
11 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke emphasizes the voluntary nature of the offering for the tabernacle: no one was compelled. Every person, whether men working, women spinning, or rulers bringing costly jewels, gave freely according to their ability. The unifying motive was a willing heart, not obligation.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes clarifies the precise Hebrew terms for these gifts: "bracelets" are actually brooches, and "tablets" are armlets, while the earrings are indeed for the ear, not the nose. He notes that all these items were gold, personal luxuries the Israelites willingly gave up for the honor of the Lord.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin stresses that the people’s offerings were not forced or impulsive but came from deliberate, inward prompting. He notes they went to their tents to consider what to give, making their generosity more praiseworthy. He also assures the poor that their willing gifts, however small, are no less acceptable to God than the rich man’s costly contributions.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The commentator highlights the ideal picture of a community where ordinary people, women, and rulers each contributed willingly according to their ability. Men brought gold and materials, women spun yarn, and rulers gave precious stones, spices, and oil. The offerings supported daily worship but did not include provisions for the daily burnt offerings or presence-bread.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva note emphasizes that the people’s giving was entirely voluntary, prompted by God’s work in their hearts. No compulsion or command drove them; each person brought offerings because their spirit was made willing and their heart was stirred with knowledge and eagerness for the Lord’s work.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill emphasizes that the willingness to give for the tabernacle came entirely from God's grace, not human nature. He notes that the rulers are listed last, which some Jewish interpreters see as slowness in giving, though they brought precious stones others could not provide. Every gift, whether gold or goats' hair, was acceptable when offered willingly.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB notes that the people's extraordinary generosity sprang from several motives working together: remembrance of their recent sin, love for God, and gratitude for His favor. He also highlights that women took the lead in offering their personal ornaments, a striking proof of religion's power among a people who prized such jewelry.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil-Delitzsch draws attention to
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange contrasts this voluntary, joyful giving for the tabernacle with the earlier, cowardly summons for the golden calf. He sees New Testament qualities in the people's spontaneous generosity, noting that the offerings became so abundant Moses had to restrain them.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry emphasizes that the people did not delay; they heard God's will from Moses and immediately went home to act on it. His focus is on their willing hearts, stirred by the Spirit, bringing whatever they had for the tabernacle's work without any compulsion.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley stresses that the people gave not from external pressure but from an inner willingness produced by God's Spirit. Their offering flowed from love for God, desire for his presence, gratitude for his past acts, and faith in his future promises. The willingness itself was the Spirit's work in their hearts.