And they came is literally “And they entered.” The place to which they came is not indicated, but we may presume that it was wherever Moses was. The contrast of the first word, And they came, with the first word in verse 20, “and they departed,” may be understood as “they returned to Moses.” But those who came back included every one whose heart stirred him, literally “every man whom his heart lifted him.” This included the women as well. The same idea is repeated in different words, and every one whose spirit moved him, literally “and every [one] whom his spirit urged him.” Translators should use figurative expressions like this if it is natural style in the receptor language.

These two parallel clauses are interpreted in different ways: “everyone who was willing and whose heart moved him” (New International Version); “all those who were eager and willing to give” (Translator’s Old Testament); “everyone, as his heart suggested and his spirit prompted” (New American Bible); “everyone who was so minded [brought] of his own free will” (Revised English Bible). New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh has “everyone who excelled in ability” for the first clause, but there is not sufficient textual support for this interpretation. Good News Translation again combines the two clauses into one, “everyone who wished to do so.” But this does not adequately represent the intended emphasis.

And brought the LORD’s offering is literally “they caused to enter the offering of Yahweh.” The word for offering literally means something lifted up or dedicated. (See 25.2.) In this case it consisted of the various items listed in the following verses. The LORD’s offering, of course, should be understood as “an offering to the LORD” (Good News Translation). To be used for the tent of meeting means that these items were to be used in the construction of the tabernacle and its furnishings. Tent of meeting is the literal rendering of ʾohel moʿed, but it should be obvious that the tabernacle (mishkan) is intended here. (See the discussion at 27.21.)

And for all its service, literally “and for all its work,” means “everything needed for use in worship” (Good News Translation), or “to maintain the daily worship” (Translator’s Old Testament). And for the holy garments is the same expression as in verse 19. Here it probably refers to the vestments both for Aaron and for his sons. (See the comment at 28.2.)

Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .