Exodus 30:15

15 The rich shall not give more and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel, when they give an offering unto the LORD to make an atonement for your souls.

Exodus 30:15 Meaning and 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 says, if he lived on alms, he was to beg it of others, or sell his clothes from off his back to pay it. This shows the equality of the redeemed and ransomed of the Lord; for though some sins and sinners are greater than others, and some are redeemed from more sins than others, yet all sins being infinite, as committed against an infinite God, but one price is paid for all, and that is the precious blood of Christ, the Son of God, an infinite and divine Person; hence all the ransomed ones have the same faith, righteousness, salvation, and eternal life:

when they give an offering unto the Lord, to make atonement for
your souls;
which have sinned, are liable to death for it, are the more excellent part of men, and require a great price for the redemption and ransom of them; and hence it is so great a blessing to be ransomed, because it is the ransom of the soul: and such is the efficacy of Christ's ransom, that it is a full atonement for the souls of men, and their sins, and completely delivers from sin, Satan, the law, death, and hell.


FOOTNOTES:

F25 Hilchot Shekalim, c. 1. sect. 1.

Exodus 30:15 In-Context

13 This they shall give, every one that passeth among them that are numbered: half a shekel according to the shekel of the sanctuary (a shekel is twenty gerahs); a half shekel shall be the offering to the LORD.
14 Every one who passeth among them that are numbered, from twenty years old and above, shall give an offering unto the LORD.
15 The rich shall not give more and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel, when they give an offering unto the LORD to make an atonement for your souls.
16 And thou shalt take the atonement money of the children of Israel, and shalt appoint it for the service of the tabernacle of the congregation, that it may be a memorial unto the children of Israel before the LORD, to make an atonement for your souls."
17 And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying,
Third Millennium Bible (TMB), New Authorized Version, Copyright 1998 by Deuel Enterprises, Inc., Gary, SD 57237. All rights reserved.