King James Version

What Does Exodus 35:25 Mean?

Exodus 35:25 in the King James Version says “And all the women that were wise hearted did spin with their hands, and brought that which they had spun, both of blue, ... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 35 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And all the women that were wise hearted did spin with their hands, and brought that which they had spun, both of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet , and of fine linen.

Exodus 35:25 · KJV


Context

23

And every man, with whom was found blue, and purple, and scarlet , and fine linen, and goats' hair, and red skins of rams, and badgers' skins, brought them.

24

Every one that did offer an offering of silver and brass brought the LORD'S offering: and every man, with whom was found shittim wood for any work of the service, brought it.

25

And all the women that were wise hearted did spin with their hands, and brought that which they had spun, both of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet , and of fine linen.

26

And all the women whose heart stirred them up in wisdom spun goats' hair.

27

And the rulers brought onyx stones, and stones to be set, for the ephod, and for the breastplate;


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The people bring bracelets (חָח, chach), earrings (נֶזֶם, nezem), rings (טַבַּעַת, tabba'at), and tablets (כּוּמָז, kumaz)—personal jewelry and ornamentation. These intimate possessions, worn on the body, represent giving one's very self to God. The willingness to part with personal adornment for God's dwelling contrasts sharply with Aaron's earlier collection of gold earrings to make the golden calf (32:2-3). The same gold that nearly destroyed Israel through idolatry now builds God's house through redemptive repurposing.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This jewelry likely came from Egypt (12:35-36) where both men and women wore extensive ornamentation. Gold jewelry was wealth in portable form—giving it required genuine sacrifice. The transformation of golden-calf gold into tabernacle gold represents redemption.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the giving of personal jewelry symbolize offering one's very self to God?
  2. What does the redemptive transformation of gold (from calf to tabernacle) teach about God's ability to redeem our failures?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וְכָל1 of 17
H3605

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

אִשָּׁ֥ה2 of 17

And all the women

H802

a woman

חַכְמַת3 of 17

that were wise

H2450

wise, (i.e., intelligent, skilful or artful)

לֵ֖ב4 of 17

hearted

H3820

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

בְּיָדֶ֣יהָ5 of 17

with their hands

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

טָו֑וּ6 of 17

did spin

H2901

to spin

וַיָּבִ֣יאוּ7 of 17

and brought

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

מַטְוֶ֗ה8 of 17

that which they had spun

H4299

something spun

אֶֽת9 of 17
H853

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

הַתְּכֵ֙לֶת֙10 of 17

both of blue

H8504

the cerulean mussel, i.e., the color (violet) obtained therefrom or stuff dyed therewith

וְאֶת11 of 17
H853

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

הָֽאַרְגָּמָ֔ן12 of 17

and of purple

H713

purple (the color or the dyed stuff)

אֶת13 of 17
H853

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

תּוֹלַ֥עַת14 of 17
H8438

a maggot (as voracious); specifically (often with ellipsis of h8144) the crimson-grub, but used only (in this connection) of the color from it, and cl

הַשָּׁנִ֖י15 of 17

and of scarlet

H8144

crimson, properly, the insect or its color, also stuff dyed with it

וְאֶת16 of 17
H853

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

הַשֵּֽׁשׁ׃17 of 17

and of fine linen

H8336

bleached stuff, i.e., white linen or (by analogy) marble


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 35:25 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 35:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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