Exodus 38 26

Exodus 38:26 kjv

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.

Exodus 38:26 nkjv

a bekah for each man (that is, half a shekel, according to the shekel of the sanctuary), for everyone included in the numbering from twenty years old and above, for six hundred and three thousand, five hundred and fifty men.

Exodus 38:26 niv

one beka per person, that is, half a shekel, according to the sanctuary shekel, from everyone who had crossed over to those counted, twenty years old or more, a total of 603,550 men.

Exodus 38:26 esv

a beka a head (that is, half a shekel, by the shekel of the sanctuary), for everyone who was listed in the records, from twenty years old and upward, for 603,550 men.

Exodus 38:26 nlt

This silver came from the tax collected from each man registered in the census. (The tax is one beka, which is half a shekel, based on the sanctuary shekel.) The tax was collected from 603,550 men who had reached their twentieth birthday.

Exodus 38 verses

Exodus 38 26 Meaning

Exodus 38:26 details the specific amount of silver collected from each eligible Israelite man for the construction of the Tabernacle. It states that each individual paid a fixed amount, a "beka," which was half a shekel, measured according to the standard "shekel of the sanctuary." This obligatory payment was collected from every male counted in the census, who was twenty years old or older, resulting in a total count of 603,550 men contributing. The collected silver was primarily used for the silver sockets supporting the Tabernacle framework and its court, symbolizing atonement and the foundational support of God's dwelling among His people.

Exodus 38 26 Context

Exodus 38:26 is situated within the latter part of the book of Exodus, specifically in the detailed account of the Tabernacle's construction. Chapters 35-39 describe the practical execution of the commands God gave to Moses on Mount Sinai regarding the sacred tent of meeting. This particular verse forms part of the inventory of the materials used, especially focusing on the silver. The immediate context (Exod 38:25-28) details the specific quantities of gold, silver, and bronze, and how the silver, in particular, was gathered through the mandated half-shekel census tax previously described in Exodus 30:11-16. This historical context reveals the practical outworking of God's command for His dwelling place, emphasizing meticulous detail and communal participation, and highlighting that the Tabernacle was literally founded upon the redemption money paid by each individual Israelite for his soul. The Israelite community at Sinai was transitioning from nomadic life to an organized people with a central place of worship, necessitating structure, resources, and shared responsibility.

Exodus 38 26 Word analysis

• a beka: (בֶּקַע - beqa') Meaning "split" or "half." This term specifies the exact amount. Its use emphasizes that it was a precise, undivided half, not subject to individual discretion or wealth, underscoring equality in contribution.
• for a head: (לַגֻּלְגֹּלֶת - laggulgōleth) Literally "to the skull," signifying "per person" or "per capita." This highlights individual accountability and the universal application of the requirement for all eligible males.
• that is, half a shekel: This explanatory phrase clarifies "beka" for the reader, leaving no ambiguity regarding the exact weight.
• according to the shekel of the sanctuary: (בְּשֶׁקֶל הַקֹּדֶשׁ - bešeqel haqqōdeš) This crucial phrase signifies a divinely established and unvarying standard of weight, distinct from common market weights which could fluctuate or be manipulated. It ensured integrity, fairness, and holiness in matters pertaining to God's worship and resources, making the contribution sacred and fixed.
• for every one who was listed: (לְכֹל הָעֹבֵר עַל־הַפְּקֻדִים - ləḵōl hā‘ōḇēr ‘al-happəqūdîm) Meaning "for everyone who passed over the numbered ones" or "who was counted in the enrollment." This indicates the inclusivity of the obligation for all who met the demographic criteria, not just the wealthy or willing. It connects the financial contribution directly to the official census.
• from twenty years old and upward: This specifies the demographic for the census and, consequently, the payment. This age marked maturity, accountability, and eligibility for military service in ancient Israel, indicating full adult responsibility within the community.
• for 603,550 men: This precise number confirms the census count as recorded in Numbers 1, highlighting the immense size of the Israelite community and God's detailed knowledge and organization of His people. It signifies the collective effort and the magnitude of the resources needed.

Words-group analysis:

• "a beka for a head, that is, half a shekel": This grouping firmly establishes the individual contribution as equal for all, regardless of socio-economic status. It powerfully conveys the principle that when it comes to atonement and one's standing before God, all are equally dependent and must contribute the same.
• "according to the shekel of the sanctuary": This phrase establishes a non-negotiable, sacred standard for measurement. It prevents any deviation or dishonesty, underscoring the divine order and sanctity applied even to practical aspects of worship, reflecting God's holy and just character.
• "for every one who was listed, from twenty years old and upward": This grouping defines the obligated population. It stresses collective responsibility; every eligible male participated in laying the physical foundation of God's dwelling, just as all were encompassed in the atonement concept associated with this payment.

Exodus 38 26 Bonus section

The silver collected from this census was uniquely designated. Unlike the voluntary offerings of gold, silver, and bronze detailed earlier, this specific silver was primarily used for the silver bases or sockets (adanim) upon which the boards of the Tabernacle and its court were erected (Exod 38:27). This detail carries significant symbolic weight: the physical structure of God's dwelling place rested literally and metaphorically on the silver of atonement, reminding the Israelites that God's presence among them was founded upon the redemption of their souls. The precise calculation and accounting of the materials, especially the silver derived from the specific census, underscore God's orderly nature and the accountability expected in matters related to His worship and kingdom. It reveals the careful and direct fulfillment of the command given in Exodus 30, linking the theory of divine command to its practical execution in the wilderness.

Exodus 38 26 Commentary

Exodus 38:26 serves as a profound testimony to several divine principles concerning God's people and His dwelling. It shows the meticulous divine ordering, not only in the Tabernacle's design but also in its funding. The half-shekel was a census tax for atonement, establishing that the Tabernacle's very foundation rested upon the redemption of God's people (Exod 38:27). The universality of this tax—a "beka" for every head, rich or poor paying the same—emphasized that all stood equally in need of atonement before God and were equally invited to participate in sustaining His presence among them. The "shekel of the sanctuary" highlights God's demand for accuracy and holiness in all matters pertaining to Him, underscoring that His requirements are precise and unchangeable. This verse foreshadows New Testament truths where Christ, as the ultimate payment, makes redemption equally available to all who believe, forming a spiritual temple of believers (Eph 2:21-22). The collection ensured not only the physical building but also the spiritual truth of a community collectively invested in and built upon divine redemption.