Exodus 36 Study Notes
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36:1-2 These verses, with 35:35, speak of the Lord providing wisdom and skill to those who would build the tabernacle. The heart, or inner core, of a person was spoken of as central to both willingness and skillfulness to do work in service to the Lord, even as it was spoken of as central to Pharaoh’s rebellion.
chashav
| Hebrew pronunciation | [khah SHAV] |
| CSB translation | plan, consider, design |
| Uses in Exodus | 13 |
| Uses in the OT | 124 |
| Focus passage | Exodus 35:32,35 |
Chashav is think (Ps 40:17), consider (Ps 77:5), or intend (1Sm 18:25), then plan (Jr 18:8) or devise (Mc 2:3). It is credit (Gn 15:6), charge with (Ps 32:2), value, or regard (Is 53:3-4). People invent (Am 6:5), contrive (Ps 35:20), or design (Ex 31:4). The participle denotes designer (Ex 38:23). Passives include be counted (Ps 44:22), considered (Neh 13:13), regarded (Gn 31:15), credited (Lv 7:18), or classified (Lv 25:31). Intensives signify calculate (Lv 25:27), require an accounting (2Kg 12:15), plot (Hs 7:15), scheme (Pr 24:8), or threaten (Jnh 1:4). The reflexive is consider oneself (Nm 23:9). The related noun machashavah occurs with chashav eighteen times as make plots (Dn 11:25), execute designs (2Ch 2:14), devise plans (Ezk 38:10) or strategies (Jr 49:20), and skillfully designed (2Ch 26:15). Machashavah is also inclination (Gn 6:5), thought (Is 55:7), purpose (Jr 51:29), and artistic (Ex 35:33).
36:7 In Egypt, the Israelites lacked straw for making bricks for Pharaoh (5:6-18). Now, thanks to the Lord’s gracious action on their behalf, there was more than enough of the silver, gold, and other beautiful materials that they would use to build a dwelling for the Lord.
36:8-40:33 Repeating the Lord’s instructions to Moses in describing the construction of the tabernacle emphasized the people’s commitment to making everything according to the Lord’s specifications and completing the work as he commanded (see note at 25:1-31:17).