Exodus 38:24 kjv
All the gold that was occupied for the work in all the work of the holy place, even the gold of the offering, was twenty and nine talents, and seven hundred and thirty shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary.
Exodus 38:24 nkjv
All the gold that was used in all the work of the holy place, that is, the gold of the offering, was twenty-nine talents and seven hundred and thirty shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary.
Exodus 38:24 niv
The total amount of the gold from the wave offering used for all the work on the sanctuary was 29 talents and 730 shekels, according to the sanctuary shekel.
Exodus 38:24 esv
All the gold that was used for the work, in all the construction of the sanctuary, the gold from the offering, was twenty-nine talents and 730 shekels, by the shekel of the sanctuary.
Exodus 38:24 nlt
The people brought special offerings of gold totaling 2,193 pounds, as measured by the weight of the sanctuary shekel. This gold was used throughout the Tabernacle.
Exodus 38 24 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference (Short Note) |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 25:1-7 | The LORD said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites to bring me an offering… gold, silver and bronze..." | Initial command for offerings for the Tabernacle. |
| Exod 35:4-9 | Moses said to the whole Israelite community... "Take from among you an offering to the LORD..." | Invitation for voluntary offerings. |
| Exod 35:20-29 | All the people...came, every one whose heart stirred him to come, and brought the LORD's offering... | Israelites' willing response and immense generosity. |
| Exod 36:3-7 | They continued to bring him freewill offerings every morning. So much that the people had brought enough... | Overflowing generosity, more than sufficient. |
| Lev 27:30 | Every tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the trees, is the LORD's; it is holy to the LORD. | Principle of consecrated portions being holy. |
| Deut 16:17 | Everyone must bring a gift in proportion to the way the LORD your God has blessed you. | Principle of giving proportionate to blessing. |
| 1 Chr 29:3-9 | I give my personal treasury of gold and silver to the house of my God... and the people gave willingly... | David and people's abundant offerings for the Temple. |
| Ezra 1:4 | Cyrus decreed... any survivor, in whatever place he may sojourn, let the men of that place assist him with silver and gold, with goods and with beasts, besides freewill offerings for the house of God... | Freewill offerings for the second temple building. |
| Pro 3:9-10 | Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled... | Principle of honoring God with resources. |
| Pro 11:1 | A false balance is an abomination to the LORD, but a just weight is his delight. | Emphasis on honest, accurate weights. |
| Pro 20:23 | False weights are an abomination to the LORD, and dishonest scales are not good. | Reiteration of integrity in measures. |
| Mic 6:11 | Can I acquit wicked scales and a bag of deceptive weights? | Condemnation of dishonest weights. |
| Mal 3:10 | Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house... | Call for faithfulness in bringing offerings to God. |
| Lk 16:1-13 | Parable of the shrewd manager, teaches faithful stewardship over material possessions. | Stewardship and accountability with resources. |
| 1 Cor 4:2 | Moreover, it is required in stewards that one be found trustworthy. | Requirement of trustworthiness in handling entrusted resources. |
| 2 Cor 8:1-5 | The churches of Macedonia... gave themselves first to the Lord, and then by the will of God to us... | Example of cheerful, generous giving. |
| 2 Cor 9:7 | Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. | Giving from a cheerful heart, not under compulsion. |
| Phil 4:18-19 | I have received full payment, and more... a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. | Giving as a spiritual sacrifice pleasing to God. |
| Heb 9:1-5 | The first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary. | New Testament summary of the Tabernacle's design and contents. |
| 1 Pet 1:18-19 | Knowing that you were ransomed... not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ... | Contrasting gold (old covenant materials) with Christ's ultimate sacrifice. |
| Rev 21:3 | Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them... | Fulfillment of God's desire to dwell among His people. |
Exodus 38 verses
Exodus 38 24 Meaning
Exodus 38:24 reports the precise total quantity of gold contributed by the Israelite community through freewill offerings, which was then used in the construction of the Tabernacle and its sacred furnishings. It details the massive value of the material dedicated to God's dwelling place, highlighting both the generosity of the people and the meticulous accountability of the work overseen by Bezalel.
Exodus 38 24 Context
Exodus chapter 38 forms part of a meticulous accounting of the materials collected and used for the construction of the Tabernacle and its courtyard. This section, particularly verses 21-31, provides an inventory of the precious metals—gold, silver, and bronze—supplied by the Israelites. This detailed record highlights the faithful execution of God's commands (given in Exod 25-31) by Bezalel, Oholiab, and the skilled craftsmen, confirming that the vast resources voluntarily offered by the people were meticulously managed and fully applied to the sacred purpose. The chapter underscores the orderliness, transparency, and divine provision inherent in God's plan for His dwelling among His people, serving as a public audit to verify integrity.
Exodus 38 24 Word analysis
- All the gold (כָּל־הַזָּהָב֙ - kol-hazahav): "All" emphasizes the complete totality, suggesting that every part of the contributed gold was meticulously accounted for and used. It signifies thoroughness and completeness in dedication.
- that was used for the work (הֶעָשׂ֣וּי בַּמְּלָאכָה֙ - he'asuy bamelakah): This highlights the direct purpose and application of the gold. "The work" (melakah) refers to the skilled craftsmanship involved in constructing the Tabernacle, showing the gold was transformed into divine service.
- in all the work of the holy place (בְּכָל־מְלֶ֣אכֶת הַקֹּ֔דֶשׁ - bekhol-meleket haqqodesh): Reinforces the specific, consecrated nature of the work. "Holy place" (haqqodesh) strictly defines the Tabernacle as distinct from any secular use, affirming its exclusive dedication to God. This separation of the sacred from the profane is a fundamental biblical concept.
- that is, the gold of the offering (זְהַ֣ב הַתְּנוּפָ֑ה - zahav hattaqufah): Clarifies the origin of the gold. Tenuphah refers to a "wave offering," typically signifying something lifted up before the Lord, implying a freewill contribution, voluntarily given. This highlights the heart of the givers, as it was a willing, generous donation, not a compulsory tax. This generous outpouring also recalls how the Israelites received vast wealth from the Egyptians during the exodus (Exod 12:35-36), emphasizing God's provision even through their former oppressors.
- was twenty-nine talents (תְשַׁ֣ע וְעֶשְׂרִ֣ים כִּכָּר֙ - tesha ve'esrim kikar): A kikar, or "talent," was a significant unit of weight, approximately 75 pounds (or about 34 kilograms). Twenty-nine talents translates to a massive amount—over a ton (around 986 kilograms) of gold. This staggering quantity testifies to the immense value placed on God's dwelling and the people's collective wealth and dedication. It visually conveys the magnitude of God's glory and the resources dedicated to His presence.
- and 730 shekels (וּשְׁבַ֣ע מֵא֥וֹת וּשְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים שֶׁ֑קֶל - u-sheva me'ot u-shloshim sheqel): A shekel was a smaller unit, about 0.4 ounces (11 grams). This level of detailed measurement—down to the exact number of shekels—emphasizes precision and meticulous accountability. It underscores that every particle was accounted for, reflecting God's desire for accuracy and integrity in service and finance within the sacred realm.
- by the shekel of the sanctuary (בְּשֶׁ֣קֶל הַקֹּ֔דֶשׁ - besheqel haqqodesh): This phrase indicates a specific, standardized, and uncorrupted system of measurement maintained at the Tabernacle. Unlike various commercial weights that could fluctuate or be manipulated, the "sanctuary shekel" ensured divine accuracy and honesty in all matters related to sacred offerings and exchanges. It points to a divine standard for integrity, fairness, and justice, a strong polemic against dishonest business practices prevalent in ancient cultures (and still today).
Exodus 38 24 Bonus section
The massive quantity of gold reported in this verse is believed by many scholars to have largely originated from the spoils taken by the Israelites from Egypt during their hasty departure (Exod 12:35-36). This transformation of plundered wealth into an offering for God's Tabernacle demonstrates God's sovereignty over earthly riches and His ability to provide for His purposes even through unexpected means and past oppression. It symbolizes the repurposing of secular wealth for sacred ends, turning the instruments of bondage into tools of worship.
Exodus 38 24 Commentary
Exodus 38:24 encapsulates the spiritual and practical culmination of Israel's initial Tabernacle offerings. It is a precise and meticulous financial statement, documenting the massive scale of their gold contribution for God's holy dwelling. This verse showcases the people's extraordinary generosity—voluntarily giving out of a "stirred heart"—and the transparency and accountability of those overseeing the work. The immense value of gold consecrated demonstrates Israel's commitment to prioritizing God's presence among them, recognizing that no expense was too great for His glory. The strict use of "the shekel of the sanctuary" underlines the divine standard of integrity required in all aspects of worship and administration, reflecting God's holy nature which demands absolute truth and precision. It served as an audit, validating that Bezalel and the craftsmen faithfully completed the task according to God's detailed blueprints, not embezzling any portion of the sacred contributions. Ultimately, it signifies not merely a material count but a testament to devoted hearts manifesting faith through lavish giving for the habitation of God.