King James Version

What Does Exodus 25:2 Mean?

Exodus 25:2 in the King James Version says “Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering. bring me: Heb. take for me offering: or, heave offering

Exodus 25:2 · KJV


Context

1

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

2

Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering. bring me: Heb. take for me offering: or, heave offering

3

And this is the offering which ye shall take of them; gold, and silver, and brass, offering: or, heave offering

4

And blue, and purple, and scarlet , and fine linen, and goats' hair, fine: or, silk


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The offering must be voluntary ('willing heart'), establishing that true worship flows from love, not compulsion. Every material listed—gold, silver, bronze, fine linens, precious stones—carried symbolic significance, with gold representing deity, silver redemption, and bronze judgment. These materials, gained from Egypt through God's judgment, now serve His glory, picturing redemption's transformation.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Israelites possessed these materials through the plundering of Egypt (Exodus 12:35-36), God's provision that enabled tabernacle construction. This demonstrated that God equips His people for the worship He commands.

Reflection Questions

  1. Does your worship flow from obligation or from a heart made willing by grace?
  2. How has God transformed 'plunder' from your past into resources for His glory?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
דַּבֵּר֙1 of 16

Speak

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

אֶל2 of 16
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בְּנֵ֣י3 of 16

unto the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל4 of 16

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

תִּקְח֖וּ5 of 16

that they bring

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

לִ֖י6 of 16
H0
תְּרֽוּמָתִֽי׃7 of 16

me an offering

H8641

a present (as offered up), especially in sacrifice or as tribute

מֵאֵ֤ת8 of 16
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל9 of 16
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אִישׁ֙10 of 16

of every man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר11 of 16
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יִדְּבֶ֣נּוּ12 of 16

that giveth it willingly

H5068

to impel; hence, to volunteer (as a soldier), to present spontaneously

לִבּ֔וֹ13 of 16

with his heart

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

תִּקְח֖וּ14 of 16

that they bring

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אֶת15 of 16
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

תְּרֽוּמָתִֽי׃16 of 16

me an offering

H8641

a present (as offered up), especially in sacrifice or as tribute


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Exodus. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Exodus 25:2 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Exodus 25:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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