Exodus – Chapter 35

Old Testament35 Verses

Chapter Summary

"And all the multitude of the children of Israel being gathered together, he said to them: These are the things which the Lord hath…" — so begins Exodus 35. The chapter centers on Moses and Aaron. Across its 35 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and wisdom for daily living. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1And all the multitude of the children of Israel being gathered together, he said to them: These are the things which the Lord hath commanded to be done:

2Six days you shall do work; the seventh day shall be holy unto you, the sabbath and the rest of the Lord: he that shall do any work on it, shall be put to death.

3You shall kindle no fire in any of your habitations on the sabbath day.

4And Moses said to all the assembly of the children of Israel: This is the word the Lord hath commanded, saying:

5Set aside with you firstfruits to the Lord. Let every one that is willing and hath a ready heart, offer them to the Lord: gold, and silver, and brass,

6Violet and purple, and scarlet twice dyed, and fine linen, goats' hair,

7And rams' skins dyed red, and violet coloured skins, setim wood,

8And oil to maintain lights, and to make ointment, and most sweet incense,

9Onyx stones, and precious stones, for the adorning of the ephod and the rational.

10Whosoever of you is wise, let him come, and make that which the Lord hath commanded:

11To wit, the tabernacle, and the roof thereof, and the cover, the rings, and the board-work with the bars, the pillars and the sockets:

12The ark and the staves, the propitiatory, and the veil that is drawn before it:

13The table with the bars and the vessels, and the loaves of proposition:

14The candlestick to bear up the lights, the vessels thereof and the lamps, and the oil for the nourishing of fires:

15The altar of incense, and the bars, and the oil of unction, and the incense of spices: the hanging at the door of the tabernacle:

16The altar of holocaust, and its grate of brass, with the bars and vessels thereof: the laver and its foot:

17The curtains of the court, with the pillars and the sockets, the hanging in the doors of the entry.

18The pins of the tabernacle, and of the court, with their little cords:

19The vestments that are to be used in the ministry of the sanctuary, the vesture of Aaron the high priest, and of his sons, to do the office of priesthood to me.

20And all the multitude of the children of Israel going out from the presence of Moses,

21Offered firstfruits to the Lord with a most ready and devout mind, to make the work of the tabernacle of the testimony. Whatever was necessary to the service and to the holy vestments,

22Both men and women gave bracelets and earrings, rings and tablets: every vessel of gold was set aside to be offered to the Lord.

23If any man had violet, and purple, and scarlet twice dyed, fine linen and goats' hair, ramskins dyed red, and violet coloured skins,

24Metal of silver and brass, they offered it to the Lord, and setim wood for divers uses.

25The skilful women also gave such things as they had spun, violet, purple, and scarlet, and fine linen,

26And goats' hair, giving all of their own accord.

27But the princes offered onyx stones, and precious stones, for the ephod and the rational,

28And spices and oil for the lights, and for the preparing of ointment, and to make the incense of most sweet savour.

29All, both men and women, with devout mind offered gifts, that the works might be done which the Lord had commanded by the hand of Moses. All the children of Israel dedicated voluntary offerings to the Lord.

30And Moses said to the children of Israel: Behold, the Lord hath called by name Beseleel, the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Juda,

31And hath filled him with the spirit of God, with wisdom and understanding, and knowledge, and all learning,

32To devise and to work in gold and silver and brass,

33And in engraving stones, and in carpenters' work. Whatsoever can be devised artificially,

34He hath given in his heart: Ooliab also, the son of Achisamech, of the tribe of Dan:

35Both of them hath he instructed with wisdom, to do carpenters' work, and tapestry, and embroidery in blue and purple, and scarlet twice dyed, and fine linen, and to weave all things, and to invent all new things.

Important Verses in Exodus 35

And all the multitude of the children of Israel being gathered together, he said to them: These are the things which the Lord hath commanded to be done:

Exodus 35:1

Set aside with you firstfruits to the Lord. Let every one that is willing and hath a ready heart, offer them to the Lord: gold, and silver, and brass,

Exodus 35:5

Offered firstfruits to the Lord with a most ready and devout mind, to make the work of the tabernacle of the testimony. Whatever was necessary to the service and to the holy vestments,

Exodus 35:21

And hath filled him with the spirit of God, with wisdom and understanding, and knowledge, and all learning,

Exodus 35:31

Historical Context

Exodus addresses israel in every generation, commanded to remember the Passover as a perpetual memorial within the broader story of God's covenant people. Chapter 35 of 40 moves toward the climax of the book as earlier promises and conflicts converge. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 35 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Moses and Aaron appear at the center of the events recorded here. The chapter begins: "And all the multitude of the children of Israel being gathered together, he said to them: These are the things which…" The chapter ends with: "Both of them hath he instructed with wisdom, to do carpenters' work, and tapestry, and embroidery in blue and purple,…" The wider setting of Exodus is this: Exodus recounts the defining event of the Old Testament: God's liberation of Israel from slavery in Egypt under Pharaoh, most likely Ramesses II. Scholarly and ecclesial tradition places the composition of Exodus around Describes events of the 13th century BC; reached final written form between the 10th and 5th centuries BC.

Who Wrote It

Traditionally attributed to Moses, with later inspired editing

When It Was Written

Describes events of the 13th century BC; reached final written form between the 10th and 5th centuries BC

Catholic Commentary

Read at the narrative level, this chapter describes real persons, decisions, and consequences within liberation, law, and worship. A pivotal line is verse 1: "And all the multitude of the children of Israel being gathered together, he said to them: These are the things which the Lord hath commanded to be done:" The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

Catholic exegesis reads Exodus 35 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. the Church sees the Exodus as prefiguring Baptism and the Eucharist (CIC 1221, 1363). St. Leo the Great and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 355).

The moral and spiritual import remains timely: The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.. St. Jerome insisted that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ; this chapter offers material for meditation, examination of conscience, and deeper love of God.

Main Teachings

  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • True wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord and is a gift of the Holy Spirit.
  • Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.

People in This Chapter

Moses4 mentionsAaron1 mention

Reflection for Today

Catholic exegesis approaches Exodus Chapter 35 with reverence, seeking both the literal sense and the spiritual meaning ordered to Christ.

Catholic theology recognizes that liberation, law, and worship is not an abstract idea but a reality encountered in prayer, sacraments, and charity. This chapter contributes to that vision by stressing forgiveness and reconciliation.

Consider praying with this chapter again at day's end, offering God gratitude for one insight received. The Church encourages daily contact with Scripture (CIC 74) so that Christ's mind may be formed in us.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Exodus Chapter 35 about?

Exodus 35 contains 35 verses. It opens with "And all the multitude of the children of Israel being gathered together, he said to them: These are the things which…" and closes with "Both of them hath he instructed with wisdom, to do carpenters' work, and tapestry, and embroidery in blue and purple,…". The book as a whole is narrative, law, and liturgical instruction.

What is a key verse in Exodus 35?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "And all the multitude of the children of Israel being gathered together, he said to them: These are the things which the Lord hath commanded to be done:" It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Exodus Chapter 35?

This chapter mentions Moses, Aaron.

Who wrote Exodus and when?

Traditionally attributed to Moses, with later inspired editing. Describes events of the 13th century BC; reached final written form between the 10th and 5th centuries BC.

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