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.
Each man paid a bekah (which is half a shekel, measured by the sanctuary's standard weight) for everyone who was counted in the census. This included all men from twenty years old and older, totaling 603,550 men.
This verse records that every adult man in Israel contributed half a shekel to the sanctuary, and the census counted 603,550 men aged twenty and older.
📚 Historical Context
In the book of Exodus, after the Israelites escaped from Egypt and were wandering in the wilderness, God commanded Moses to conduct a census of all men aged 20 and older as part of preparing for the Tabernacle's construction. Each man was required to contribute half a shekel, known as a bekah, as an atonement offering to ransom his life and support the sacred tent's expenses. This practice highlighted the equality of all Israelites before God and ensured the community's shared responsibility for worship.
Explore Similar Verses
Ask the AI Assistant
Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.