Exodus 30:12-16

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 30:12

When thou takest the sum of the children of Israel, after their number ,.... An account of them, how many they are; which was sometimes done, and was proper to be done, especially in time of war; though the present case seems to be for the sake of raising money for the tabernacle and the service of it: then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul unto the Lord, when thou numberest them ; which was not done yearly, nor was it perpetual; we have but two instances of it after this... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 30:13

This they shall give, everyone that passeth among them that are numbered ,.... And their number, according to Jarchi, was known by what was paid; for he says the sum was taken not by heads, but everyone gave the half shekel, and by counting them the number was known, as follows: half a shekel after the shekel of the sanctuary ; that is, after the standard of a shekel kept in the sanctuary as a rule for all; and so Jarchi paraphrases it,"according to the weight of a shekel, which I have... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 30:14

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

John Gill

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

John Gill

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 30:12

Then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul - This was a very important ordinance, and should be seriously considered. See Exodus 30:13 ; (note). read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 30:13

Half a shekel - Each of the Israelites was ordered to give as a ransom for his soul (i.e., for his life) half a shekel, according to the shekel of the sanctuary. From this we may learn, That the life of every man was considered as being forfeited to Divine justice. That the redemption money given, which was doubtless used in the service of the sanctuary, was ultimately devoted to the use and profit of those who gave it. That the standard by which the value of coin was ascertained, was... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 30:12

Verse 12 12.When thou takest the sum of the children of Israel. The tribute which God here demands at the taking of the census, is very fitly annexed to the First Commandment; for God, in making them tributary to Himself, shews that they were under His jurisdiction and power; and because He had purchased them to Himself, He willed that this voluntary gift of acknowledgment should be paid to Him. Princes, in numbering their subjects, make an estimate of their power; but God, who needs not the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 30:1-38

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

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