Exodus 36:3 - and they received from Moses all the offering which the children of Israel had brought for the work of the service of the sanctuary, with which to make it. They brought yet to him freewill offerings every morning.

Generated Verse: Exodus 36:3

What does "Exodus 36:3" mean?


Exodus 36:3 describes the abundance and generosity of the Israelites in contributing to the construction of the Tabernacle. Let's break down the verse:

"and they received from Moses all the offering which the children of Israel had brought for the work of the service of the sanctuary, with which to make it": This means that the craftsmen (likely overseen by Bezalel and Oholiab, mentioned earlier in Exodus) were receiving all the contributions that the Israelites had given for the building of the Tabernacle (the sanctuary). The contributions were meant to be used for "the work of the service of the sanctuary," meaning the building and furnishing of the Tabernacle.

"They brought yet to him freewill offerings every morning.": This highlights the continuing generosity of the Israelites. Even after giving a substantial amount initially, they continued to bring "freewill offerings" every morning. "Freewill offerings" were offerings given voluntarily, exceeding any required or compulsory offering. The people were so eager to contribute to God's house that they gave willingly and regularly.

In summary, the verse illustrates:

The completion of the initial collection: The craftsmen had received all the offerings that had been initially given.
Overwhelming generosity: The people were exceptionally generous and eager to support the construction of the Tabernacle.
Ongoing contributions: They were not just one-time givers; they brought offerings regularly and voluntarily, indicating a deep commitment and enthusiasm.

Contextual Significance:

This verse is significant because it shows the enthusiasm and dedication of the Israelites in serving God. It is a contrast to their earlier doubts and rebellion. Their willingness to give so freely and consistently demonstrates a renewed commitment to God and His covenant. It also set the stage for the later verses in Exodus 36, where there are no further offering accepted as the craftsmen receive more than is needed, and the workers must be restrained from accepting more offerings.