Every one that passeth among them that are numbered, from twenty years old and above ,.... Even Levites, Israelites, proselytes, and servants freed, but not women, bond servants, or children F24 Misn. Shekalim, c. 1. sect. 1,3. : shall give an offering to the Lord ; the half shekel before mentioned. read more
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
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
The golden altar and the perfume. The golden altar was of small dimensions, a cubit in length, a cubit in breadth, and two cubits high. It was a true altar, as shown by its square shape, and by its horns. Its place was immediately in front of the vail dividing the two portions of the sanctuary, with the innermost or' which—the holy of holies—it was regarded as having the more intimate connection ( 1 Kings 6:22 ; Hebrews 9:4 ). The command was that Aaron should burn upon it sweet... read more
The numbering of Israel and their ransom. I. THE NUMBERING OF THE PEOPLE , AN EMBLEM OF THE JUDGMENT . God's claims were brought home to them; their unworthiness was contrasted with the place assigned to them as the people whom God had visited with his light and salvation. When we remember that we are the Lord's, and the light of that just claim is shed upon our life, it is to our shame and confusion. But life will be read at last in this very light! II. THE ... read more
The atonement money. It pertained to the full admission of Israel to theocratic privilege, that, the nation as a whole having been admitted into covenant, a formal registration should be made of at least the grown part of the community. Directions were accordingly issued for the taking of a census, which had also in view a more complete military organisation of the nation than as yet existed. The males of the tribes from twenty years old and upwards were to be made to pass before Jehovah,... read more
The atonement money. Remark three things:— I. THE ATONEMENT MONEY WAS REQUIRED OF ALL . "All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" ( Romans 3:23 ). "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us" ( 1 John 1:8 ). There was to be no exemption. Moses and Aaron were to bring their half-shekel no less than the others; the priests had to make the offering, just the same as the laity; the rulers, as much as the common people. The... read more
From twenty years old and upward . Twenty was the age at which an Israelite was reckoned a man; at twenty he became liable to serve in the wars ( 2 Chronicles 25:5 ), and entered otherwise on the duties of citizenship. At twenty the Levites began their service in the temple ( 1 Chronicles 23:24 , 1 Chronicles 23:27 ; 2 Chronicles 31:17 ; Ezra 3:8 ). read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 30:11-16
Some observe that the repetition of those words, The Lord spoke unto Moses, here and afterwards (Exod. 30:17, 22, 34), intimates that God did not deliver these precepts to Moses in the mount, in a continued discourse, but with many intermissions, giving him time either to write what was said to him or at least to charge his memory with it. Christ gave instructions to his disciples as they were able to hear them. Moses is here ordered to levy money upon the people by way of poll, so much a... read more