Exodus 30:11-16

The Atonement Money

11 The Lord spoke to Moses:

12 "When you take a census of the Israelites to register them, each of the men must pay a ransom for himself to the Lord as they are registered. Then no plague will come on them as they are registered.

13 Everyone who is registered must pay half a shekel^[a]/ 5 of an ounce of silver according to the sanctuary shekel (20 gerahs to the shekel). This half shekel is a contribution to the Lord.

14 Each man who is registered, 20 years old or more, must give this contribution to the Lord.

15 The wealthy may not give more, and the poor may not give less, than half a shekel when giving the contribution to the Lord to atone for^[b] your lives.

16 Take the atonement money^[c] from the Israelites and use it for the service of the tent of meeting. It will serve as a reminder for the Israelites before the Lord to atone for^[d] your lives."

Exodus 30:11-16 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 30

This chapter treats of the altar of incense, its form and use, Ex 30:1-10 of the ransom of the Israelites, with the half shekel when numbered, Ex 30:11-16 of the laver for the priests to wash their hands and feet at before service, Ex 30:17-21 of the anointing oil, the ingredients of it, and what was to be done with it, Ex 30:22-33, and of the perfume, the composition and use of it, Ex 30:34-38.

Footnotes

• [a]. About 2
• [b]. Or to ransom
• [c]. Lit the silver of the atonement
• [d]. Or to ransom