Discovery BoxExodus 36:3-7 
Context36:3 and they received from Moses all the offerings the Israelites had brought to do 1 the work for the service of the sanctuary, and they still continued to bring him a freewill offering each morning. 2 36:4 So all the skilled people who were doing all the work on the sanctuary came from the work 3 they were doing 36:5 and told Moses, “The people are bringing much more than 4 is needed for the completion 5 of the work which the Lord commanded us to do!” 6
36:6 Moses instructed them to take 7 his message 8 throughout the camp, saying, “Let no man or woman do any more work for the offering for the sanctuary.” So the people were restrained from bringing any more. 9 36:7 Now the materials were more than enough 10 for them to do all the work. 11
1 tn In the Hebrew text the infinitive “to do it” comes after “sanctuary”; it makes a smoother rendering in English to move it forward, rather than reading “brought for the work.”
2 tn Heb “in the morning, in the morning.”
3 tn Heb “a man, a man from his work”; or “each one from his work.”
4 tn The construction uses the verbal hendiadys: מַרְבִּים לְהָבִיא (marbim lÿhavi’) is the Hiphil participle followed (after the subject) by the Hiphil infinitive construct. It would read, “they multiply…to bring,” meaning, “they bring more” than is needed.
5 tn Heb “for the service” (so KJV, ASV).
6 tn The last clause is merely the infinitive with an object – “to do it.” It clearly means the skilled workers are to do it.
7 tn The verse simply reads, “and Moses commanded and they caused [a voice] to cross over in the camp.” The second preterite with the vav may be subordinated to the first clause, giving the intent (purpose or result).
8 tn Heb “voice.”
9 tn The verse ends with the infinitive serving as the object of the preposition: “from bringing.”
10 tn This part of the sentence comes from the final verb, the Hiphil infinitive – leave over, meaning, have more than enough (see BDB 451 s.v. יָתַר).
11 tn Heb “for all the work, to do it.”
sn This lengthy section (35:1-36:7) forms one of the most remarkable sections in the book. Here there is a mixture of God’s preparation of people to do the work and their willingness to give and to serve. It not only provides insight into this renewed community of believers, but it also provides a timeless message for the church. The point is clear enough: In response to God’s commission, and inspired by God’s Spirit, the faithful and willing people rally to support and participate in the
