John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 30:16
And thou shall take the atonement money of the children of Israel ,.... The half shekel, the ransom of their souls: and shall appoint it for the service of the tabernacle of the congregation ; for the building of the tabernacle, for the repairs of it, and for the sacrifices offered in it; particularly we find that this first collection this way was appropriated to the silver sockets of the sanctuary, and the vail, for the silver hooks, and for the pillars, Exodus 38:27 , that it may... read more
John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 30:15
The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel ,.... Which shows that the Israelites were alike in the esteem of God, their worldly circumstances making no difference; their souls being alike, the same ransom price was given for them; and that they were all to have an equal share in the service and sanctuary of God, and the price was set so low, that the poorest man might be able to pay it: and even Maimonides F25 Hilchot Shekalim, c. 1. sect. 1. ... read more