Exodus 30:12 - Exposition

When thou takest the sum . The sum had been taken roughly at the time of the exodus ( Exodus 12:37 ). Moses was now, it would seem, about to take it again, more accurately. No command had ever been given that the people should riot be numbered; and the Egyptian habit of compiling exact statistics naturally clung to one who had had an Egyptian training. A ransom . Rather "an expiation," "an atonement"—(as in Exodus 29:33 , Exodus 29:36 )—something to show that he was conscious of sin, and of his not deserving to be numbered among God's people. That there was no plague. "That they be not punished for undue pride and presumption. There is no thought of such a plague as was provoked by David's numbering ( 2 Samuel 24:15 ).