King James Version
What Does Exodus 25:3 Mean?
“And this is the offering which ye shall take of them; gold, and silver, and brass, offering: or, heave offering”
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
5
And rams' skins dyed red, and badgers' skins, and shittim wood,
Commentary
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers(3) **Gold, and silver, and brass.**—The Israelites had brought out of Egypt (1) their ancestral wealth—the possessions of Abraham and the accumulations of Joseph, and (2) the rich gifts received from the Egyptians at the moment of their departure. They had added to their wealth by the plunder of the Amalekites. Thus they possessed a considerable store of the precious metals; and there is no difficulty in supposing that they furnished the gold needed for the tabernacle without seriously impoverishing themselves. The silver, which was of small amount comparatively, appears ultimately to have been furnished in another way (Exodus 30:12-16; Exodus 38:25-28) The brass, or rather bronze, for brass seems to have been unknown at this time, was small in amount (Exodus 38:29), and of no great value. It would have constituted no serious drain on the resources of the people.
Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.
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 25:3 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 25:3
Cross-references from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge