Exodus 36:5

5 and they said to Moses, "The people are bringing more than we need to do the work the Lord commanded."

Exodus 36:5 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 36:5

And they spake unto Moses, saying
One in the name of the rest:

the people bring much more than enough for the service of the work,
which the Lord commanded to make;
they had taken an estimate of what was to be done, and of what was necessary for the doing of it, and of what the people brought for this service; and they found there was a great deal more brought than would be wanted, and therefore they thought proper to advise Moses of it, that no more might be brought: it is hard to say which is most to be wondered at, the great liberality of the people in contributing so freely and bountifully, and continuing to do so without being urged, or even asked; or the honesty of the workmen, one and all, who might have gone on to have received the gifts of the people by the hands of Moses, and what was superfluous might have converted to their own use; but instead of this, they agree as one man to let Moses know how the state of things was, and prevent the people from making any more contributions.

Exodus 36:5 In-Context

3 They received from Moses everything the people of Israel had brought as gifts to build the Holy Tent. The people continued to bring gifts each morning because they wanted to.

4 So all the skilled workers left the work they were doing on the Holy Tent,

5 and they said to Moses, "The people are bringing more than we need to do the work the Lord commanded."

6 Then Moses sent this command throughout the camp: "No man or woman should make anything else as a gift for the Holy Tent." So the people were kept from giving more,

7 because what they had was already more than enough to do all the work.