Keraia
Exodus 38

Exodus 38:26

An Inventory of Materials · Exodus 38:21–31
Read Exodus 38

Translations

Modern
…a beka per person, that is, half a shekel, according to the sanctuary shekel, from everyone twenty years of age or older who had crossed over to be numbered, a total of 603,550 men.
Traditional
A bekah for every man, that is, half a shekel, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for every one that went to be numbered, from twenty years old and upward, for six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty men.
Literal
…a bekah per head, that is, half a shekel, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, for everyone who had passed over to be numbered, from a son of twenty years old and above, for six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty.
Latin
Fuerunt præterea centum talenta argenti e quibus conflatæ sunt bases sanctuarii, et introitus, ubi velum pendet.

Original

Hebrew
English
…a beka per person, that is, half a shekel, according to the sanctuary shekel, from everyone twenty years of age or older who had crossed over to be numbered, a total of 603,550 men.

Notes

Exodus 38:26

  • For the earlier discussion of this tax, see 30:11–16. The sanctuary shekel was the standard used to measure other weights accurately.

  • 603,550: See study note on 12:37.

Exodus 38:21–29

The very large amount of metal listed here includes more than one metric ton (about 1,000 kilograms) of gold, almost four metric tons (about 4,000 kilograms) of silver, and two and a half metric tons (about 2,500 kilograms) of bronze.

This large supply shows how eager the Egyptians were to send the Israelites away. The Egyptians gave the Israelites whatever they asked for so that they would leave quickly (see 12:35–36).

Measurements

  • half a shekel: About 0.2 oz (5.7 g)

Parallels

Ezra 2:68–70 Nehemiah 7:70–73

Glossary

Beka, Bekah Biblical Concept of Law Book of Exodus Deuteronomy, Book of History of Israel Leviticus, Book of Tabernacle Weights and Measures

Topics

Bekah: A Half Shekel, About Thirty-One Cents Census: A Poll Tax to be Levied at Each Census: The Numbering of Israel by Moses Journey of Israel Through The Desert: To Mount Sinai: Second Numbering of the People Religion: National: Supported by Taxes Tabernacle: Value of the Substance Contributed For Talent: (A Weight Equal to Three-Thousand Shekels-About One Hundred Twenty-Five Pounds) Tax: Poll