The application of the "atonement money" is stated more distinctly in Exodus 38:27 , Exodus 38:28 . It was employed for the silver sockets that supported the boards of the tabernacle, and for the hooks, capitals, and connecting rods of the pillars which surrounded the court. Thus employed, it was a continual "memorial" in the eyes of the people, reminding each man of his privileges and duties read more
The Ransom of Souls. - Exodus 38:25-28. On comparing these words with those of Numbers 1:1-3, we may perhaps infer that the first passage relates to a mere counting of the adult Israelites at the time when the money was taken from each, and that what the latter passage enjoins was a formal enrolment of them according to their genealogies and their order of military service.A ransom for his soul - What the sincere worshipper thus paid was at once the fruit and the sign of his faith in the... read more
Altar of incense; tabernacle tax (30:1-16)The altar of incense was made of wood overlaid with gold. It was much smaller than the altar of burnt offering, was located in a different place and was designed for a different purpose. It was not used for sacrifices, but only for the burning of incense, offered each morning and evening. Incense was a substance produced by grinding and blending certain spices (see v. 34-38 below), and when burnt gave off thick white smoke and a strong smell. Its... read more
The rich = the rich one. "There is no difference "in the matter of atonement, Acts 10:34 .Romans 3:22 , Romans 3:23 ; Romans 10:12 . Then, all Israel without exception: but now "all" without distinction. offering . Hebrew heave offering. See on Exodus 29:27 , and compare App-43 . atonement . See note on Exodus 29:33 . read more
tabernacle = tent. Hebrew. 'ohel. App-40 . read more
THE HALF-SHEKEL TAX"And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying, When thou takest the sum of the children of Israel, according to those that are numbered of them, then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul unto Jehovah, when thou numberest them; that there be no plague among them. This they shall give, every one that passeth over unto them that are numbered; half a shekel after the shekel of the sanctuary (the shekel is twenty gerahs), half a shekel for an offering unto Jehovah. Every one... read more
The atonement money 30:11-16The directions regarding the tabernacle opened with instructions concerning contributions for its construction (Exodus 25:1-9). They close with this directive that every Israelite 20 years or older was to pay a flat fee of half a shekel during Israel’s census for the tabernacle’s maintenance (Numbers 1:2; Numbers 26:2). Everyone was to pay the same amount because the cost of everyone’s atonement was the same in the Lord’s sight."It was no ordinary tribute, therefore,... read more
The Altar of Incense. The Ransom Money. The Laver. The Anointing Oil. The Incense1-10. The Altar of Incense. The use of incense in worship was probably due to the worshipper’s desire to honour God by offering to Him what he enjoys himself. ’Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart’ (Proverbs 27:9). It served also to counteract the strong smell of burning flesh, and was therefore usually presented as an accompaniment of sacrifice, and offered either in censers (Leviticus 10:1; Leviticus 16:12;... read more
(14) From twenty years old and above.—A Hebrew was not reckoned full grown till twenty. At twenty the liability to military service began (Numbers 1:3;2 Chronicles 25:5). At twenty the Levites commenced their service in the sanctuary (1 Chronicles 23:24-27; 2 Chronicles 31:17; Ezra 3:8). read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 30:15
The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less. This is very emphatic testimony to the equal value of souls in God's sight. The payment was "the ransom of a soul" ( Exodus 30:12 )—an acknowledgment of God's mercy in sparing those whose life was justly forfeit. As each soul that he has created is equally precious in his sight, and as he designs equally the salvation of all—it was fitting that the same exact sum should be paid in every case. read more