Clarke's Bible Commentary - Exodus 25:3
Verse 3. This is the offering] There were three kinds of metals: 1. GOLD, bhz zahab, which may properly signify wrought gold; what was bright and resplendent, as the word implies. In Job xxviii. 15, 16, 17, 19, gold is mentioned five times, and four of the words are different in the original.
1. rwgs SEGOR, from rgs sagar, to shut up; gold in the mine, or shut up in its ore. 2. µtk KETHEM, from µtk catham, to sign, seal, or stamp; gold made current by being coined; standard or sterling gold, exhibiting the stamp expressive of its value. 3. bhz ZAHAB, wrought gold, pure, highly polished gold; probably what was used for overlaying or gilding. 4. zp PAZ, denoting solidity, compactness, and strength; probably gold formed into different kinds of plate, as it is joined in ver. 17 of the above chapter with ylk keley, vessels. The zahab, or pure gold, is here mentioned, because it was in a state that rendered it capable of being variously manufactured for the service of the sanctuary.
2. SILVER, Psk keseph, from casaph, to be pale, wan, or white; so called from its well-known colour.
3. BRASS, tjn nechosheth, copper; unless we suppose that the factitious metal commonly called brass is intended: this is formed by a combination of the oxide or ore of zinc, called lapis calaminaris, with copper. Brass seems to have been very anciently in use, as we find it mentioned Gen. iv. 22; and the preparation of copper, to transform it into this factitious metal, seems to be very pointedly referred to Job xxviii. 2: Iron is taken out of the earth, and brass is molten out of the stone; hwjn qwxy ba eben yatsuk nechushah, translated by the Vulgate, Lapis, solutus calore, in aes vertitur, "The stone, liquefied by heat, is turned into brass." Is it going too far to say that the stone here may refer to the lapis calaminaris, which was used to turn the copper into brass? Because brass was capable of so fine a polish as to become exceedingly bright, and keep its lustre a considerable time, hence it was used for all weapons of war and defensive armour among ancient nations; and copper seems to have been in no repute, but for its use in making brass.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-9 - God chose the people of Israel to be a peculiar people to himself above all people, and he himself would be their King. He ordered royal palace to be set up among them for himself, called a sanctuary or holy place, or habitation. There he showed his presence among them And because in the wilderness they dwelt in tents, this royal palac was ordered to be a tabernacle, that it might move with them. The people were to furnish Moses with the materials, by their own fre will. The best use we can make of our worldly wealth, is to honour God with it in works of piety and charity. We should ask, not only, What must we do? but, What may we do for God? Whatever they gave, they mus give it cheerfully, not grudgingly, for God loves a cheerful giver, 2C 9:7. What is laid out in the service of God, we must reckon wel bestowed; and whatsoever is done in God's service, must be done by his direction. (Ex 25:10-22)
Original Hebrew
וזאת 2063 התרומה 8641 אשׁר 834 תקחו 3947 מאתם 853 זהב 2091 וכסף 3701 ונחשׁת׃ 5178
