Exodus 30:11-16

11 Then the LORD said to Moses,

12 “Whenever you take a census of the people of Israel, each man who is counted must pay a ransom for himself to the LORD . Then no plague will strike the people as you count them.

13 Each person who is counted must give a small piece of silver as a sacred offering to the LORD . (This payment is half a shekel, based on the sanctuary shekel, which equals twenty gerahs.)

14 All who have reached their twentieth birthday must give this sacred offering to the LORD .

15 When this offering is given to the LORD to purify your lives, making you right with him, the rich must not give more than the specified amount, and the poor must not give less.

16 Receive this ransom money from the Israelites, and use it for the care of the Tabernacle. It will bring the Israelites to the LORD ’s attention, and it will purify 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]. Or 0.2 ounces [6 grams].
• [b]. Or to make atonement for your lives; similarly in 30:16 .
• [c]. Hebrew Tent of Meeting; also in 30:18, 20, 26, 36 .