Adam Clarke Bible CommentaryExodus 35

And Moses gathered - The principal subjects in this chapter have been already largely considered in the notes on chapters 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, and 31, and to those the reader is particularly desired to refer, together with the parallel texts in the margin.

Ye shall kindle no fire - The Jews understand this precept as forbidding the kindling of fire only for the purpose of doing work or dressing victuals; but to give them light and heat, they judge it lawful to light a fire on the Sabbath day, though themselves rarely kindle it-they get Christians to do this work for them.

, Exodus 35:6;

See, on these metals and colors, Exodus 25:3; (note), Exodus 25:4; (note), etc.

Rams' skins, etc. - See Exodus 25:5.

Oil for the light - See Exodus 25:6.

Onyx stones - See Exodus 25:7.

The tabernacle - See Exodus 25:8.

The ark - See Exodus 25:10-17.

The table - See Exodus 25:23-28.

The candlestick - See Exodus 25:31-39.

The incense altar - The golden altar, see Exodus 30:1-10.

The altar of burnt-offering - The brazen altar, see Exodus 27:1-8.

The hangings of the court - See Exodus 27:9.

The clothes of service - Probably aprons, towels, and such like, used in the common service, and different from the vestments for Aaron and his sons. See these latter described Exodus 28:1, etc.

Every one whose heart stirred him up - Literally, whose heart was lifted up - whose affections were set on the work, being cordially engaged in the service of God.

As many as were willing-hearted - For no one was forced to lend his help in this sacred work; all was a free-will offering to the Lord.

Bracelets - חח chach, whatever hooks together; ornaments for the wrists, arms, legs, or neck.

Ear-rings - נזם nezem, see this explained Genesis 24:22; (note).

Rings - טבעת tabbaath, from טבי taba, to penetrate, enter into; probably rings for the fingers.

Tablets - כומז cumaz, a word only used here and in Numbers 31:50, supposed to be a girdle to support the breasts.

All the women that were wise-hearted did spin - They had before learned this art, they were wise-hearted; and now they practice it, and God condescends to require and accept their services. In building this house of God, all were ambitious to do something by which they might testify their piety to God, and their love for his worship. The spinning practiced at this time was simple, and required little apparatus. It was the plain distaff or twirling pin, which might be easily made out of any wood they met with in the wilderness.

The rulers brought onyx stones - These being persons of consequence, might be naturally expected to furnish the more scarce and costly articles. See how all join in this service! The men worked and brought offerings, the women spun and brought their ornaments, the rulers united with them, and delivered up their jewels! and all the children of Israel brought a willing offering unto the Lord, Exodus 36:29.

The Lord hath called by name Bezaleel - See this subject discussed at large in the note on Exodus 28:3; (note), where the subject of superseding the work of the hand by the extra use of machinery is particularly considered.

1. From the nature of the offerings made for the service of the tabernacle, we see of what sort the spoils were which the Israelites brought out of Egypt: gold, silver, brass, blue, purple, scarlet, fine linen, rams' skins dyed red, what we call badgers' skins, oil, spices, incense, onyx stones, and other stones, the names of which are not here mentioned. They must also have brought looms, spinning wheels, instruments for cutting precious stones, anvils, hammers, furnaces, melting-pots, with a vast variety of tools for the different artists employed on the work of the tabernacle, viz., smiths, joiners, carvers, gilders, etc.