Exodus xxxv.
Notes & Commentary:
Ver. 2. Sabbath. The frequent repetition of this precept, cannot escape the notice of the attentive reader. The sabbath was a distinctive mark of the Jews, and was generally observed by them with the utmost care, and even with scrupulosity. (Haydock) — They were not allowed to do on it any thing that had the appearance of servility, if it could be avoided without serious inconveniences. But in any urgent necessity of the sick, &c., they might provide meat, and do other work, that could not be done before. They might also repel an enemy, water cattle, &c. Though a mere rest be positively ordered, the design of it shewed that the day was to be spent in religious duties, reading the Bible, &c. Josephus assures us, many were so diligent herein, as to know almost the whole law by heart. (Tirinus)
Ver. 3. No fire, to dress meat. The Rabbins say it is lawful to light a fire, to warm oneself, or for light. But they generally employ some other to do it for them. The Samaritans and Caraites look upon this as an evasion. (Calmet) — It was customary to light candles and dress meat before sun-set on Friday. On other festivals, even the greatest, this was not required, as they were not instituted chiefly in memory of God’s rest, as the sabbath was, chap. xii. 16. (Haydock)
Ver. 19. Vestments, in which the vessels of the tabernacle were folded up. (Vatable)
Ver. 22. And women, by the hands of their husbands, as the Hebrew and Septuagint intimate. — Tablets, (dextralia) ornaments worn on the right hand or arm.
Ver. 25. Spun. The wool, it seems, was dyed first, unless it were naturally of these colours. See Exodus xxv. 5. (Calmet)
Bible Text & Cross-references:
The sabbath. Offerings for making the tabernacle. Beseleel and Ooliab are called to the work.
1 And all the multitude of the children of Israel being gathered together,* he said to them: These are the things which the Lord hath commanded to be done:
2 Six days you shall do work; the seventh day shall be holy unto you, the sabbath and the rest of the Lord: he that shall do any work on it, shall be put to death.
3 You shall kindle no fire in any of your habitations on the sabbath day.
4 And Moses said to all the assembly of the children of Israel: This is the word the Lord hath commanded, saying:
5 Set aside with you first-fruits to the Lord. *Let every one that is willing and hath a ready heart, offer them to the Lord: gold, and silver, and brass,
6 Violet and purple, and scarlet twice dyed, and fine linen, goats’ hair,
7 And rams’ skins dyed red, and violet-coloured skins, setim-wood,
8 And oil to maintain lights, and to make ointment, and most sweet incense,
9 Onyx stones, and precious stones, for the adorning of the ephod and the rational.
10 Whosoever of you is wise, let him come, and make that which the Lord hath commanded:
11 To wit, the tabernacle and the roof thereof, and the cover, the rings, and the board-work with the bars, the pillars and the sockets:
12 The ark and the staves, the propitiatory, and the veil that is drawn before it:
13 The table with the bars and the vessels, and the loaves of proposition:
14 The candlestick to bear up the lights, the vessels thereof and the lamps, and the oil for the nourishing of fires:
15 The altar of incense, and the bars, and the oil of unction, and the incense of spices: the hanging at the door of the tabernacle:
16 The altar of holocaust, and its grate of brass, with the bars and vessels thereof: the laver and its foot:
17 The curtains of the court, with the pillars and the sockets, the hanging in the doors of the entry.
18 The pins of the tabernacle, and of the court, with their little cords:
19 The vestments that are to be used in the ministry of the sanctuary, the vesture of Aaron the high priest, and of his sons, to do the office of priesthood to me.
20 And all the multitude of the children of Israel going out from the presence of Moses,
21 Offered first-fruits to the Lord with a most ready and devout mind, to make the work of the tabernacle of the testimony. Whatsoever was necessary to the service and to the holy vestments,
22 Both men and women gave bracelets and ear-rings, rings and tablets: every vessel of gold was set aside to be offered to the Lord.
23 If any man had violet, and purple, and scarlet twice dyed, fine linen and goats’ hair, ramskins dyed red, and violet-coloured skins,
24 Metal of silver and brass, they offered it to the Lord, and setim-wood for divers uses.
25 The skilful women also gave such things as they had spun, violet, purple, and scarlet, and fine linen,
26 And goats’ hair, giving all of their own accord.
27 But the princes offered onyx stones, and precious stones, for the ephod and the rational,
28 And spices and oil for the lights, and for the preparing of ointment, and to make the incense of most sweet savour.
29 All, 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.
30 And Moses said to the children of Israel: *Behold, the Lord hath called by name Beseleel, the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Juda,
31 And hath filled him with the spirit of God, with wisdom and understanding, and knowledge and all learning,
32 To devise and to work in gold and silver and brass,
33 And in engraving stones, and in carpenters’ work. Whatsoever can be devised artificially,
34 He hath given in his heart: Ooliab also, the son of Achisamech, of the tribe of Dan:
35 Both of them hath he instructed with wisdom, to do carpenters’ work, and tapestry, and embroidery in blue and purple, and scarlet twice dyed, and fine linen, and to weave all things, and to invent all new things.
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1: Year of the World 2513.
5: Exodus xxv. 2.
30: Exodus xxxi. 2.