Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 2. That they bring me an offering] The offering here mentioned is the hmwrt terumah, a kind of free-will offering, consisting of any thing that was necessary for the occasion. It signifies properly any thing that was lifted up, the heave-offering, because in presenting it to God it was lifted up to be laid on his altar; but see on "chap. xxix. 27". God requires that they should build him a tent, suited in some sort to his dignity and eminence, because he was to act as their king, and to dwell among them; and they were to consider themselves as his subjects, and in this character to bring him presents, which was considered to be the duty of every subject appearing before his prince. See chap. xxiii. 15.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-9 - God chose the people of Israel to be a peculiar people to himself above all people, and he himself would be their King. He ordered royal palace to be set up among them for himself, called a sanctuary or holy place, or habitation. There he showed his presence among them And because in the wilderness they dwelt in tents, this royal palac was ordered to be a tabernacle, that it might move with them. The people were to furnish Moses with the materials, by their own fre will. The best use we can make of our worldly wealth, is to honour God with it in works of piety and charity. We should ask, not only, What must we do? but, What may we do for God? Whatever they gave, they mus give it cheerfully, not grudgingly, for God loves a cheerful giver, 2C 9:7. What is laid out in the service of God, we must reckon wel bestowed; and whatsoever is done in God's service, must be done by his direction. (Ex 25:10-22)
Original Hebrew דבר1696 אל413 בני1121 ישׂראל3478 ויקחו3947 לי תרומה8641 מאת853 כל3605 אישׁ376 אשׁר834 ידבנו5068 לבו3820 תקחו3947 את853 תרומתי׃8641
