Exodus 25:3

3. Gold, and silver, and brass Sceptics have been fond of asking whence the Hebrews in the wilderness could have obtained such quantifies of the precious metals as the tabernacle required . It is not difficult to answer: (1 . ) They probably possessed some of the treasures which belonged to their ancient fathers, and of which they had not been despoiled in Egypt. (2.) They obtained great quantities of gold and silver from the Egyptians on their departure from their land. See Exodus 12:35-36, and notes on Exodus 3:22, and Exodus 11:2. (3 . ) Much spoil of the Egyptian army probably fell into their hands at the Red sea . See Exodus 14:30, note . (4 . ) They doubtless obtained much spoil of the defeated Amalekites, (Exodus 17:8-13. ) (5 . ) Finally, we are not to imagine that in the Sinaitic peninsula the Hebrews were cut off from all communication with other peoples . Great caravans frequently traversed these deserts, (comp . Genesis 37:25; Genesis 37:28,) and doubtless then, as in a later time merchantmen of “all the kings of Arabia, and of the governors of the country,” (1 Kings 10:14-17,) carried to and fro with them large quantities of precious metals; and these, as well as other material needed for any of their purposes, could have been obtained by the Israelites .