Exodus 35 - Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The narrative of what relates to the construction of the sanctuary is now resumed from Exodus 31:18.

See Exodus 31:12.

This prohibition is here first distinctly expressed, but it is implied Exodus 16:23.

See Exodus 26:1-37. It has been already observed Exodus 25:10 that in the instructions for making the sanctuary, the ark of the covenant, as the principal thing belonging to it, is mentioned first; but in the practical order of the work, as it is here arranged, the tabernacle with its tent and covering come first.

The covering - This is not the same as the covering of Exodus 35:11, which denotes the covering of the tent (see Exodus 26:14): the word is used here for the entrance curtains (see Exodus 26:36; Exodus 27:16).

The word “tabernacle” משׁכן mı̂shkān is here used for the full name, the tabernacle of the tent of meeting. It denotes the entire structure.

The cloths of service to do service in the holy place - Rather; the garments of office to do service in the sanctuary, etc. See Exodus 31:10.

Bracelets - Rather, brooches.

Earrings - The Hebrew word signifies a ring, either for the nose (see Genesis 24:22) or for the ear Exodus 32:2; Genesis 35:4. That ear-rings, not nose-rings, are here meant is confirmed by what we know of early Hebrew and Egyptian customs.

Rings - Signet rings.

Tablets - More probably, armlets. It is most likely that all the articles mentioned in this verse were of gold. The indulgence of private luxury was thus given up for the honor of the Lord. Compare Exodus 30:18 note.

The precious stones Exodus 28:9 and spices were contributed by the rulers, who were more wealthy than the other Israelites.

Curious works, cunning work - Works of skill. Compare Exodus 30:4.

The engraver - The artificer, literally “one who cuts”: a general name for the workman, to which was added the name of the material in which he worked; thus the artificer in wood, or carpenter; the artificer in iron, or smith, etc. Exodus 35:32-33; Exodus 31:4-5 enumerate the branches of work committed to Bezaleel. What was under the charge of Aholiab is here for the first time clearly distinguished into the work of the skilled weaver, that of the embroiderer, and that of the weaver.

The cunning workman - The skilled weaver, literally, “the reckoner”. He might have been so called because he had nicely to count and calculate the threads in weaving figures after the manner of tapestry or carpet. His work was chiefly used in the curtains and veil of the tabernacle, in the ephod and the breastplate (Exodus 26:1, Exodus 26:31; Exodus 28:6, Exodus 28:15, etc.).

The embroiderer - He worked with a needle, either shaping his design in stitches of colored thread, or in pieces of colored cloth sewn upon the groundwork. His work was employed in the entrance curtains of the tent and the court, and in the girdle of the high priest Exodus 26:36; Exodus 27:16; Exodus 28:39.

The weaver - He appears to have worked in the loom in the ordinary way with materials of only a single color. The tissues made by him were used for the robe of the ephod and its binding, and for the coats of the priests Exodus 28:32; Exodus 39:22, Exodus 39:27.

These three classes of workers were men, while the spinners and dyers were women Exodus 35:25.