translation_id: net-engnet

book_id: EXO

label: NET study note

text: See on this H. Routtenberg, “The Laws of the Sabbath: Biblical Sources,” Dor le Dor 6 (1977): 41-43, 99-101, 153-55, 204-6; G. Robinson, “The Idea of Rest in the Old Testament and the Search for the Basic Character of Sabbath,” ZAW 92 (1980): 32-43.


text: Kindling a fire receives special attention here because the people thought that kindling a fire was not work, but only a preparation for some kind of work. The Law makes sure that this too was not done. But see also G. Robinson, “The Prohibition of Strange Fire in Ancient Israel: A Look at the Case of Gathering Wood and Kindling Fire on the Sabbath,” VT 28 (1978): 301-17.


text: The presence of these three verses in this place has raised all kinds of questions. It may be that after the renewal of the covenant the people needed a reminder to obey God, and obeying the sign of the covenant was the starting point. But there is more to it than this; it is part of the narrative design of the book. It is the artistic design that puts the filling of the Spirit section ( 31:1-11 ) prior to the Sabbath laws ( 31:12-18 ) before the idolatry section, and then after the renewal there is the Sabbath reminder ( 35:1-3 ) before the filling of the Spirit material ( 35:4-36:7 ).


text: The book now turns to record how all the work of the sanctuary was done. This next unit picks up on the ideas in Exod 31:1-11 . But it adds several features. The first part is the instruction of God for all people to give willingly ( 35:4-19 ); the next section tells how the faithful brought an offering for the service of the tabernacle ( 35:20-29 ); the next section tells how God set some apart with special gifts ( 35:30-35 ), and finally, the narrative reports how the faithful people of God enthusiastically began the work ( 36:1-7 ).


text: U. Cassuto notes that the expression “with whom was found” does not rule out the idea that these folks went out and cut down acacia trees ( Exodus , 458). It is unlikely that they had much wood in their tents.


text: The expression means that God has given them the ability and the desire to teach others how to do the work. The infinitive construct “to teach” is related to the word Torah, “instruction, guide, law.” They will be able to direct others in the work.