Verse 23. - Red skins of rams. The words are the same as those translated "rams' skins dyed red" in Exodus 25:5. The earlier rendering is the better one. Badger skins. Rather, "seal skins." See the comment on Exodus 25:5.
35:20-29 Without a willing mind, costly offerings would be abhorred; with it, the smallest will be accepted. Our hearts are willing, when we cheerfully assist in promoting the cause of God. Those who are diligent and contented in employments considered mean, are as much accepted of God as those engaged in splendid services. The women who spun the goats' hair were wise-hearted, because they did it heartily to the Lord. Thus the labourer, mechanic, or servant who attends to his work in the faith and fear of God, may be as wise, for his place, as the most useful minister, and he equally accepted of the Lord. Our wisdom and duty consist in giving God the glory and use of our talents, be they many or few.
And every man with whom was found blue, and purple, and scarlet,.... Wool or yarn of either of the colours; unless it can be supposed there might be with some of them the ingredients with which colours were made, brought with them out of Egypt:
and fine linen; they had brought out of Egypt, and for which that country was famous:
and goats' hair; which in those countries was so long as to be shorn like the wool of sheep:
and red skins of the rams; died red, for it does not mean any that were naturally so, of which none are known:
and badgers' skins; see Exodus 25:5 of each of these, such who had them in their possession, and their hearts were willing to part with them:
brought them; to Moses, to the tabernacle or tent where he was.
Badgers' skins.--See Note 2 on Exodus 25:5.
and fine linen; they had brought out of Egypt, and for which that country was famous:
and goats' hair; which in those countries was so long as to be shorn like the wool of sheep:
and red skins of the rams; died red, for it does not mean any that were naturally so, of which none are known:
and badgers' skins; see Exodus 25:5 of each of these, such who had them in their possession, and their hearts were willing to part with them:
brought them; to Moses, to the tabernacle or tent where he was.