The collection of materials for the Tabernacle in (Exodus 35:1-35) is, in the Hebrew Bible, a straightforward account of voluntary giving. The Targum Jonathan inserts miracles that make the donations look like a collaboration between earth and heaven.

The most remarkable addition: "the clouds of heaven went to the Phison, and drew up from thence onyx stones, and stones for infilling, to enchase the ephod and the breastplate, and spread them upon the face of the wilderness." The Phison is one of the four rivers flowing from the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:11). Heavenly clouds traveled there, collected precious stones from Eden's riverbed, and scattered them across the desert floor for the princes of Israel to gather.

Then the clouds went back for a second trip. "The clouds of heaven returned, and went to the garden of Eden, and took from thence choice aromatics, and oil of olives for the light, and pure balsam for the anointing oil, and for the sweet incense." The Tabernacle's spices and oil came directly from Paradise.

The human contributions were extraordinary too. The women "whose hearts were moved in wisdom spun goats' hair while upon their bodies, and sheared them, being alive." They spun the thread while the hair was still attached to living goats, a feat of skill the Talmud later debates as nearly impossible.

Everyone who donated was described as "filled with the Spirit of prophecy." The Targum elevates voluntary giving from generosity to prophetic inspiration. The people did not simply want to build a sanctuary. The Spirit moved them.

Bezalel is introduced as filled "with the Spirit of prophecy from before the Lord," not just with skill. His assistant Oholiab from the tribe of Dan was given the ability "to teach art-work to the rest of the artificers." The Tabernacle was built by prophets who doubled as master craftsmen and teachers.