Exodus 30:12

The Census Offering · Exodus 30:11–16
Read Exodus 30

Translations

Modern
“When you take a census of the Israelites to number them, each man must pay the LORD a ransom for his life when he is counted. Then no plague will come upon them when they are numbered.
Traditional
When thou takest the sum of the children of Israel after their number, then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul unto the Lord, when thou numberest them; that there be no plague among them, when thou numberest them.
Literal
“When you take up the census of the sons of Israel for their number, then they shall give each man a ransom for his soul to YHWH when numbering them, and there shall not be a plague among them when numbering them.
Latin
Quando tuleris summam filiorum Israël juxta numerum, dabunt singuli pretium pro animabus suis Domino, et non erit plaga in eis, cum fuerint recensiti.

Original

Hebrew
English
“When you take a census of the Israelites to number them, each man must pay the LORD a ransom for his life when he is counted. Then no plague will come upon them when they are numbered.

Notes

no plague: Compare 2 Samuel 24, where a plague followed King David’s unauthorized census. A king would often take a census for reasons of pride or control. Here the people are giving God a ransom for themselves. This standard payment would go into the tabernacle treasury and initially be used in the construction of the tabernacle (see Exodus 38:25–26).

Events

Parallels

2 Samuel 24:1–9 1 Chronicles 21:1–6

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Glossary

Biblical Concept of Law Book of Exodus Census Deuteronomy, Book of Dispersion of the Jews, Diaspora History of Israel Money Changer Ransom Tabernacle Tax, Taxation

Topics

Atonement by Money Atonement: Made by Animal Sacrifices Census: A Poll Tax to be Levied at Each Money: Atonement Ransom of a Man's Life Redemption: Typified: Atonement-Money Religion: National: Supported by Taxes Tabernacle: Tabernacle Tax Tax: Poll Tribute: The Jews Required to Pay Half a Shekel to God As