Exodus 35:23 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Those possessing dyed fabrics, goat hair, and animal hides bring them as offerings.
The Context of Exodus 35:23
Those possessing colored fabrics and leather bring them as contributions.
What Does Exodus 35:23 Mean?
The text notes that whoever 'had found' or 'had with them' these materials brought them. This phrasing suggests that people offered what they already owned—dyed cloth they had woven or purchased, goat hair from their animals, hides from processing. The contribution was spontaneous, made from existing possessions rather than materials they had to acquire. Each person assessed what they had and brought it.
The fabric colors and materials listed had different origins and values. Blue and purple dyes came from Mediterranean trade; scarlet came from shellfish or insects; fine linen was locally produced from flax; goat hair came from their own herds; and animal hides represented hunting or animal husbandry success. Together, they represented the community's resources—from international trade to local production to personal herds. Everyone had something that fit somewhere in this project.
Frequently Asked Questions About Exodus 35:23
What does Exodus 35:23 mean?
Those possessing dyed fabrics, goat hair, and animal hides bring them as offerings.
What is the context of Exodus 35:23?
Those possessing colored fabrics and leather bring them as contributions.