Bible Strands
Exodus 35:29
So 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.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Moses addresses the Israelite congregation after issuing the tabernacle building command in Exodus 35:4. The men and women respond by bringing freewill offerings for the work the LORD directed through Moses.
The words — The Hebrew נָדַב (na.Dav) literally means "it impelled," describing the internal motivation that moves the people. Paired with לִבָּם (li.ba/m), "their heart," it emphasizes voluntary internal prompting rather than external obligation.
The thread — This motif of heart-driven giving reappears in Exodus 35:21, where those whose "spirit prompted him" bring offerings, and echoes in 2 Corinthians 9:7, which instructs believers to give what they have "decided in his heart." The pattern links Old Testament tabernacle contributions with New Testament voluntary generosity.
Why it lands — The text requires readers to distinguish between commanded duty and voluntary response. It establishes that acceptable contribution to God's work originates from internal prompting rather than external compulsion.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
The 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.
Cross-references
- 2 Corinthians 9:7 Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.
- Exodus 35:4 Moses also told the whole congregation of Israel, “This is what the LORD has commanded:
- Exodus 35:21 And 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.
- Exodus 36:3 They received from Moses all the contributions that the Israelites had brought to carry out the service of constructing the sanctuary. Meanwhile, the people continued to bring freewill offerings morning after morning,
- Deuteronomy 4:2 You must not add to or subtract from what I command you, so that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God that I am giving you.
- Deuteronomy 11:32 be careful to follow all the statutes and ordinances that I am setting before you today.
- Deuteronomy 12:32 See that you do everything I command you; do not add to it or subtract from it.
- Judges 5:2 “When the princes take the lead in Israel, when the people volunteer, bless the LORD.
- Judges 5:9 My heart is with the princes of Israel, with the volunteers among the people. Bless the LORD!
- 1 Chronicles 29:3 Moreover, because of my delight in the house of my God, I now give for it my personal treasures of gold and silver, over and above all that I have provided for this holy temple: