Exodus 25:2
ESV
"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.
NIV
"Tell the Israelites to bring me an offering. You are to receive the offering for me from everyone whose heart prompts them to give.
NASB
Tell the sons of Israel to take a contribution for Me; from everyone whose heart moves him you shall take My contribution.
CSB
"Tell the Israelites to take an offering for me. You are to take my offering from everyone who is willing to give.
NLT
Tell the people of Israel to bring me their sacred offerings. Accept the contributions from all whose hearts are moved to offer them.
KJV
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.
NKJV
“Speak to the children of Israel, that they bring Me an offering. From everyone who gives it willingly with his heart you shall take My offering.
What does Exodus 25:2 mean?
The Lord (Exodus 25:1) instructs Moses to call for voluntary contributions from the people of Israel. These will be used to create religious objects used under the Mosaic covenant (Exodus 19:5–6; 2 Chronicles 5:10). Some giving under the Law was required and precisely calculated (Exodus 30:13; Deuteronomy 14:22–29). Yet here the exchange is to be voluntary (2 Corinthians 9:7).The items sought include precious metals, building resources, fine cloth, and other goods. Israel may have acquired some of these during the months since they were freed (Exodus 19:1). The battle with Amalek may have produced some spoil (Exodus 17:8, 13). Other materials would have been among the gifts given to Israelites by panicking Egyptians (Exodus 11:2–3; 12:33–36). Since the objects would require time to manufacture, these resources were also things the Hebrews could seek out from friendlier neighboring groups.
