Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible
Exodus 35:20-29
The People Bring Gifts In Abundance (Exodus 35:20).
‘And all the congregation of the children of Israel departed from the presence of Moses. And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, and brought Yahweh's offering, for the work of the Tent of Meeting, and for all its service, and for the holy garments. And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing-hearted, and brought brooches, and earrings, and signet-rings, and armlets, all jewels of gold; even every man that offered an offering of gold to Yahweh.'
When they heard Moses' words the people went away, and stirred in heart and spirit, as many as were made willing brought their offerings to Yahweh of jewellery, and ornaments and gold. Note that it included men and women. They gladly sacrificed their ornaments and jewellery. Many of them, of course, they had earlier abandoned at Yahweh's command (Exodus 33:5). But none of the people were left out and we may be sure that Yahweh noticed each contribution as He did the contribution of the widow woman in the Temple in the time of Jesus (Mark 12:42).
‘And every man, with whom was found bluey-violet, and purpley-red, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats' hair, and rams' skins dyed red, and dolphin skins, brought them. Every one who offered an offering of silver and bonze brought Yahweh's offering; and every man, with whom was found acacia wood for any work of the service, brought it. And all the women that were skilled (‘wise-hearted') span with their hands, and brought what they had spun, the bluey-violet, and the purpley-red, the scarlet, and the fine linen. And all the women whose heart stirred them up in skilfulness spun the goats' hair.'
Both men and women brought what they could, the men providing dyed cloth, fine linen, and so on, including acacia wood that they were keeping by for another purpose. And the enthusiastic women did the skilled work of spinning in their tents at home and then brought it to Moses' workers. Clearly goats' hair was seen as requiring special expertise.
‘And the rulers brought the onyx stones, and the stones to be set, for the ephod, and for the breastplate; and the spice, and the oil; for the light, and for the anointing oil, and for the sweet incense.'
The wealthier leaders brought the more valuable jewels, especially those which were required for the ephod and the breastpouch, and spice and oil. The latter being for the lamp, for the anointing oil and for the incense.
‘The children of Israel brought a freewill-offering to Yahweh; every man and woman, whose heart made them willing to bring, for all the work which Yahweh had commanded to be made through Moses.'
So all who were willing brought their gifts freely so as to complete the work which Yahweh had shown Moses as requiring to be done.