Exodus 38:26 - a beka a head, that is, half a shekel, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for everyone who passed over to those who were counted, from twenty years old and upward, for six hundred three thousand five hundred fifty men.
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What does "Exodus 38:26" mean?
This verse from Exodus 38:26 explains the amount and purpose of a census tax collected from the Israelites during the time they were in the wilderness. Let's break it down:
"a beka a head, that is, half a shekel, after the shekel of the sanctuary": This specifies the amount of the tax. A "beka" was an ancient unit of weight. It's clarified that one beka is equal to half a shekel. Importantly, it's "after the shekel of the sanctuary." This means the standard weight of the shekel used for this purpose was the official weight maintained at the sanctuary, ensuring fairness and accuracy.
"for everyone who passed over to those who were counted, from twenty years old and upward": This identifies who was required to pay the tax. Only men who were 20 years old or older were subject to this tax. The phrase "passed over to those who were counted" refers to the act of being included in the census. It's a specific phrase related to the process of being counted.
"for six hundred three thousand five hundred fifty men": This gives the total number of men who were counted and paid the tax. This number is also mentioned in other parts of Exodus and Numbers as the number of men of fighting age in the Israelite camp.
In summary, Exodus 38:26 states that a tax of half a shekel (measured by the sanctuary's standard) was levied on every Israelite man aged 20 years or older who was included in the census, and the total number of men counted and taxed was 603,550.
Significance and Purpose:
Census: The verse is part of a larger narrative about taking a census of the Israelite men. Censuses were important for various reasons, including military readiness, taxation, and determining the distribution of land.
Redemption Money/Atonement: The half-shekel was understood as a "redemption money" or "atonement money" for each individual. This is indicated in Exodus 30:11-16, which provides the instructions for taking the census and collecting this tax. It served as a symbolic offering to God, acknowledging His ownership and providing atonement. The act of each person giving equally may also have symbolized their equal standing before God.
Construction of the Tabernacle: Exodus 38 details the use of the silver collected from this tax in the construction of the Tabernacle, specifically for the sockets of the pillars and the hooks. Thus, the tax had a practical purpose in funding the sacred space.
Equality and Unity: By requiring the same amount from everyone, regardless of wealth, the tax promoted a sense of equality and unity among the Israelites. Rich and poor alike contributed the same amount to the service of the sanctuary.
In essence, this verse is a concise record of a key element in the organizational and religious life of the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings. It highlights the importance of census taking, the concept of atonement, and the communal funding of the Tabernacle, all framed within a system that aimed for fairness and equality.
Exodus 38:26 - a beka a head, that is, half a shekel, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for everyone who passed over to those who were counted, from twenty years old and upward, for six hundred three thousand five hundred fifty men.
What does "Exodus 38:26" mean?
This verse from Exodus 38:26 explains the amount and purpose of a census tax collected from the Israelites during the time they were in the wilderness. Let's break it down:
"a beka a head, that is, half a shekel, after the shekel of the sanctuary": This specifies the amount of the tax. A "beka" was an ancient unit of weight. It's clarified that one beka is equal to half a shekel. Importantly, it's "after the shekel of the sanctuary." This means the standard weight of the shekel used for this purpose was the official weight maintained at the sanctuary, ensuring fairness and accuracy.
"for everyone who passed over to those who were counted, from twenty years old and upward": This identifies who was required to pay the tax. Only men who were 20 years old or older were subject to this tax. The phrase "passed over to those who were counted" refers to the act of being included in the census. It's a specific phrase related to the process of being counted.
"for six hundred three thousand five hundred fifty men": This gives the total number of men who were counted and paid the tax. This number is also mentioned in other parts of Exodus and Numbers as the number of men of fighting age in the Israelite camp.
In summary, Exodus 38:26 states that a tax of half a shekel (measured by the sanctuary's standard) was levied on every Israelite man aged 20 years or older who was included in the census, and the total number of men counted and taxed was 603,550.
Significance and Purpose:
Census: The verse is part of a larger narrative about taking a census of the Israelite men. Censuses were important for various reasons, including military readiness, taxation, and determining the distribution of land.
Redemption Money/Atonement: The half-shekel was understood as a "redemption money" or "atonement money" for each individual. This is indicated in Exodus 30:11-16, which provides the instructions for taking the census and collecting this tax. It served as a symbolic offering to God, acknowledging His ownership and providing atonement. The act of each person giving equally may also have symbolized their equal standing before God.
Construction of the Tabernacle: Exodus 38 details the use of the silver collected from this tax in the construction of the Tabernacle, specifically for the sockets of the pillars and the hooks. Thus, the tax had a practical purpose in funding the sacred space.
Equality and Unity: By requiring the same amount from everyone, regardless of wealth, the tax promoted a sense of equality and unity among the Israelites. Rich and poor alike contributed the same amount to the service of the sanctuary.
In essence, this verse is a concise record of a key element in the organizational and religious life of the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings. It highlights the importance of census taking, the concept of atonement, and the communal funding of the Tabernacle, all framed within a system that aimed for fairness and equality.