Exodus 30:12

Authorized King James Version

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When thou takest the sum of the children of Israel after their number, then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul unto the LORD, when thou numberest them; that there be no plague among them, when thou numberest them.

Original Language Analysis

כִּ֣י H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 1 of 20
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
תִשָּׂ֞א When thou takest H5375
תִשָּׂ֞א When thou takest
Strong's: H5375
Word #: 2 of 20
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 3 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
רֹ֥אשׁ the sum H7218
רֹ֥אשׁ the sum
Strong's: H7218
Word #: 4 of 20
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
בְּנֵֽי of the children H1121
בְּנֵֽי of the children
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 5 of 20
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵל֮ of Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵל֮ of Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 6 of 20
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
בִּפְקֹ֥ד after their number H6485
בִּפְקֹ֥ד after their number
Strong's: H6485
Word #: 7 of 20
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
וְנָ֨תְנ֜וּ then shall they give H5414
וְנָ֨תְנ֜וּ then shall they give
Strong's: H5414
Word #: 8 of 20
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אִ֣ישׁ every man H376
אִ֣ישׁ every man
Strong's: H376
Word #: 9 of 20
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
כֹּ֧פֶר a ransom H3724
כֹּ֧פֶר a ransom
Strong's: H3724
Word #: 10 of 20
properly, a cover, i.e., (literally) a village (as covered in)
נַפְשׁ֛וֹ for his soul H5315
נַפְשׁ֛וֹ for his soul
Strong's: H5315
Word #: 11 of 20
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
לַֽיהוָ֖ה unto the LORD H3068
לַֽיהוָ֖ה unto the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 12 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
בִּפְקֹ֥ד after their number H6485
בִּפְקֹ֥ד after their number
Strong's: H6485
Word #: 13 of 20
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
אֹתָ֑ם H853
אֹתָ֑ם
Strong's: H853
Word #: 14 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְלֹֽא H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 15 of 20
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִהְיֶ֥ה H1961
יִהְיֶ֥ה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 16 of 20
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בָהֶ֛ם H0
בָהֶ֛ם
Strong's: H0
Word #: 17 of 20
נֶ֖גֶף them that there be no plague H5063
נֶ֖גֶף them that there be no plague
Strong's: H5063
Word #: 18 of 20
a trip (of the foot); figuratively, an infliction (of disease)
בִּפְקֹ֥ד after their number H6485
בִּפְקֹ֥ד after their number
Strong's: H6485
Word #: 19 of 20
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
אֹתָֽם׃ H853
אֹתָֽם׃
Strong's: H853
Word #: 20 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

Analysis & Commentary

The half-shekel atonement money (ransom for souls) demonstrates that all are equally valued before God—rich and poor pay the same. No one can pay more or less for their soul; redemption has fixed price. This prefigures how Christ's atonement has equal value for all—not more for the worthy, not less for the unworthy. The silver (redemption metal) collected supported tabernacle service, showing that redeemed people fund God's ongoing work.

Historical Context

The half-shekel (approximately 0.2 ounces of silver) was collected during census-taking, serving both as atonement money and practical support for the tabernacle. This became an annual temple tax in later periods.

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