“Speak to the people of Israel, that they take for me a contribution. From every man whose heart moves him you shall receive the contribution for me.
English Standard Version (ESV)
God's invitation for contributions isn't just about building a physical structure; it's about inviting participation from a willing heart. The emphasis isn't on the size of the gift, but on the internal disposition of the giver, highlighting that true worship flows from a heart moved by God.
“Speak to the people of Israel, that they take for me a contribution. From every man whose heart moves him you shall receive the contribution for me.
English Standard Version (ESV)
God has just given Moses the Ten Commandments, and now it's time for Israel to build a dwelling place for God among them—a tabernacle. Moses is instructed to ask the people to bring voluntary contributions of various materials needed for its construction, emphasizing that God desires gifts given willingly from the heart.
When God wants to build something amazing, He doesn't just command it into existence. He invites us to be part of it!
In Exodus 25:2, God tells Moses, 'Speak to the people of Israel, that they take for me a contribution.' This isn't a tax or a demand; it's an invitation. God, who owns everything, wants to build a special dwelling place for Himself among His people. But instead of just making it appear, He asks them to bring Him the materials. This sets a foundational principle: God often works through the willing participation of His people. He desires to partner with us, to see our hearts engaged in His purposes.
God's priority isn't the amount given, but the attitude of the giver. What makes a gift truly valuable to Him?
The verse emphasizes the condition for taking the contribution: 'From every man whose heart moves him you shall receive the contribution for me.' This highlights that God's primary concern is the heart's disposition. He isn't looking for forced donations or grudging offerings. The Hebrew phrase translated as 'whose heart moves him' speaks of an inner impulse, a willingness that springs from a heart stirred by God's presence and purposes. It's about a free-will offering, driven by love and devotion, not obligation. This principle is crucial: our offerings, whether time, talents, or treasure, are most precious to God when they come from a heart that is genuinely willing and moved by Him.
Understand the original words
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terumah · Hebrew Noun
An offering or gift presented to God, typically for the service of the tabernacle or temple. It signifies a voluntary act of worship and dedication of resources to the Lord.
leb · Hebrew Noun
In biblical psychology, the heart is the center of human intellect, emotion, will, and moral character. It is the seat of the inner life where a person's true intentions and decisions are formed.
This verse directly echoes the sentiment of Exodus 25:2, emphasizing that God delights in gifts given cheerfully and from the heart, not under compulsion.
1 Chronicles 29:14King David and the people of Israel demonstrated the same willing spirit described in Exodus 25:2 when they contributed generously and joyfully for the building of the temple.
Philippians 4:18This passage shows that Paul considered gifts received from believers as a fragrant offering and a sacrifice acceptable to God, mirroring the principle in Exodus 25:2 where offerings were brought to God.
Romans 12:1This verse calls for believers to offer their bodies as living sacrifices, which is a spiritual act of worship that aligns with the principle of giving willingly and wholeheartedly as seen in Exodus 25:2.
gillExodus 25:2: "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."
Speak unto the children of Israel,.... That is, when he should go down from the mountain to the camp: that they bring me an offering; the Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan call it a "separation": something separated from their substance, and devoted to the service of God, and for the use of the sanctuary afterwards to be built: of every…
pulpitExodus 25:2: "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."
Verse 2. - Speak unto the children of Israel that they bring me an offering. The word translated "offering" is that commonly rendered" heave-offering;" but it seems to be used here (as in Exodus 30:13; Exodus 35:5, etc.) in a generic sense. The propriety of the people, when God was about establishing his habitation among them, presenti…
God's invitation for contributions isn't just about building a physical structure; it's about inviting participation from a willing heart. The emphasis isn't on the size of the gift, but on the internal disposition of the giver, highlighting that true worship flows from a heart moved by God.
God has just given Moses the Ten Commandments, and now it's time for Israel to build a dwelling place for God among them—a tabernacle. Moses is instructed to ask the people to bring voluntary contributions of various materials needed for its construction, emphasizing that God desires gifts given willingly from the heart.
God has just given Moses the Ten Commandments, and now it's time for Israel to build a dwelling place for God among them—a tabernacle. Moses is instructed to ask the people to bring voluntary contributions of various materials needed for its construction, emphasizing that God desires gifts given willingly from the heart.
"“Speak to the people of Israel, that they take for me a contribution. From every man whose heart moves him you shall receive the contribution for me." — God's invitation for contributions isn't just about building a physical structure; it's about inviting participation from a willing heart. The emphasis isn't on the size of the gift, but on the inter…
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Last reviewed October 2026