Exodus 36:5

5 and they said to Moses, The people offereth more than is needful. (and they said to Moses, The people offereth more than is needed.)

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 Moses betook to them all the gifts of the sons of Israel. And when they were busy in their work each day, the people offered their avows early. (Moses brought them all the gifts of the Israelites. And while they were busy with their work each day, the people continued to bring their offerings each morning.)

4 Wherefore the workmen were compelled to come,

5 and they said to Moses, The people offereth more than is needful. (and they said to Moses, The people offereth more than is needed.)

6 Therefore Moses commanded to be cried by the voice of a crier, Neither man nor woman offer more anything in the work of [the] saintuary; and so it was ceased from gifts to be offered, (And so Moses commanded to be cried by the voice of a crier, No man or woman need offer anything more for the work of the sanctuary; and so they ceased from offering gifts,)

7 for the things offered sufficed, and were over-abundant (and indeed were more than enough).