וַיִּקְח֞וּ מִלִּפְנֵ֣י מֹשֶׁ֗ה אֵ֤ת כָּל־הַתְּרוּמָה֙ אֲשֶׁ֨ר הֵבִ֜יאוּ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל לִמְלֶ֛אכֶת עֲבֹדַ֥ת הַקֹּ֖דֶשׁ לַעֲשֹׂ֣ת אֹתָ֑הּ וְ֠הֵם הֵבִ֨יאוּ אֵלָ֥יו עֹ֛וד נְדָבָ֖ה בַּבֹּ֥קֶר בַּבֹּֽקֶר׃ (Exodus 36:3)
Overview: Rhythm of Giving in Syntactic Form
This verse from Exodus 36:3 captures an ongoing act of generosity through syntactic repetition and coordinated verb structures. The phrase בַּבֹּקֶר בַּבֹּקֶר (“morning by morning”) is not merely poetic—it’s syntactically pivotal, signaling habitual action and the temporal rhythm of donation. The structure reflects the continual, almost ritualistic outpouring of offerings by the people for the work of the tabernacle.
Clause Structure and Coordination
The verse contains two main clauses, joined by the conjunction וְ:
1. וַיִּקְח֞וּ מִלִּפְנֵ֣י מֹשֶׁ֗ה אֵ֤ת כָּל־הַתְּרוּמָה֙
“And they took from before Moshe all the contribution…”
2. וְ֠הֵם הֵבִ֨יאוּ אֵלָ֥יו עֹ֛וד נְדָבָ֖ה בַּבֹּ֥קֶר בַּבֹּֽקֶר
“And they brought to him yet another freewill offering, morning by morning.”
These are juxtaposed actions, showing both collection and continued giving.
Word Order and Thematic Fronting
– The first clause begins with the wayyiqtol verb וַיִּקְח֞וּ, a narrative form placing the verbal action first, typical of Biblical Hebrew narrative flow.
– The object אֵ֤ת כָּל־הַתְּרוּמָה֙ is emphasized after a short prepositional phrase מִלִּפְנֵי מֹשֶׁה, creating a focal point on what was taken—not just any item, but the entire contribution.
In the second clause, a pronoun וְ֠הֵם is fronted for emphasis, reiterating the subject before the verb הֵבִ֨יאוּ, showing intentional contrast and highlighting agency.
Nominal and Verbal Phrases: Distributive Syntax
– כָּל־הַתְּרוּמָה (“all the contribution”) is a quantified construct, drawing attention to the totality of the offerings.
– לִמְלֶ֛אכֶת עֲבֹדַ֥ת הַקֹּ֖דֶשׁ – a complex construct chain meaning “for the work of the service of holiness,” syntactically compressed but semantically rich.
– עֹוד נְדָבָה – “yet another freewill offering,” where עֹוד expresses additionality, and נְדָבָה is an unqualified noun emphasizing the nature of the offering.
Tense, Aspect, and Mood: Continuous Action
– וַיִּקְחוּ and הֵבִיאוּ are both wayyiqtol forms, narrating past events with sequential force.
– The repeated temporal phrase בַּבֹּקֶר בַּבֹּקֶר adds a habitual frame: these are iterative actions, not one-time gifts.
Discourse Flow and Temporal Emphasis
The use of narrative verb forms interspersed with temporal intensifiers (“morning by morning”) guides the reader’s attention through time, reinforcing that the giving did not cease. It is a syntactic representation of devotion and constancy.
The Grammar of Willing Spirits
The verse’s syntax mirrors the people’s generosity: coordinated verbs show shared participation; repeated time phrases express unceasing contribution. It is as though the syntax breathes with the same rhythm as the people’s hearts, delivering gifts each dawn with renewed intent.
Morning After Morning, Clause After Clause
Exodus 36:3 models how syntax can encode movement, repetition, and intent. The people’s offerings build not just a sanctuary—but a grammar of faithfulness, recorded forever in the rhythm of בַּבֹּקֶר בַּבֹּקֶר.
