Exodus 38:24
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.
Original Language Analysis
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
1 of 19
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
זְהַ֣ב
All the gold
H2091
זְהַ֣ב
All the gold
Strong's:
H2091
Word #:
2 of 19
gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky
הֶֽעָשׂוּי֙
that was occupied
H6213
הֶֽעָשׂוּי֙
that was occupied
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
3 of 19
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
מְלֶ֣אכֶת
for the work
H4399
מְלֶ֣אכֶת
for the work
Strong's:
H4399
Word #:
4 of 19
properly, deputyship, i.e., ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor)
בְּכֹ֖ל
H3605
בְּכֹ֖ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
5 of 19
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מְלֶ֣אכֶת
for the work
H4399
מְלֶ֣אכֶת
for the work
Strong's:
H4399
Word #:
6 of 19
properly, deputyship, i.e., ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor)
הַקֹּֽדֶשׁ׃
of the holy
H6944
הַקֹּֽדֶשׁ׃
of the holy
Strong's:
H6944
Word #:
7 of 19
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
וַיְהִ֣י׀
H1961
וַיְהִ֣י׀
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
8 of 19
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
זְהַ֣ב
All the gold
H2091
זְהַ֣ב
All the gold
Strong's:
H2091
Word #:
9 of 19
gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky
הַתְּנוּפָ֗ה
of the offering
H8573
הַתְּנוּפָ֗ה
of the offering
Strong's:
H8573
Word #:
10 of 19
a brandishing (in threat); by implication, tumult; specifically, the official undulation of sacrificial offerings
כִּכָּ֔ר
talents
H3603
כִּכָּ֔ר
talents
Strong's:
H3603
Word #:
13 of 19
a circle, i.e., (by implication) a circumjacent tract or region, especially the ghor or valley of the jordan; also a (round) loaf; also a talent (or l
וּשְׁבַ֨ע
and seven
H7651
וּשְׁבַ֨ע
and seven
Strong's:
H7651
Word #:
14 of 19
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
בְּשֶׁ֥קֶל
after the shekel
H8255
בְּשֶׁ֥קֶל
after the shekel
Strong's:
H8255
Word #:
17 of 19
probably a weight; used as a commercial standard
Cross References
Leviticus 27:25And all thy estimations shall be according to the shekel of the sanctuary: twenty gerahs shall be the shekel.Numbers 18:16And those that are to be redeemed from a month old shalt thou redeem, according to thine estimation, for the money of five shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, which is twenty gerahs.Numbers 3:47Thou shalt even take five shekels apiece by the poll, after the shekel of the sanctuary shalt thou take them: (the shekel is twenty gerahs:)
Historical Context
The sanctuary shekel was standardized weight (approximately 0.4 ounces) ensuring consistent measurement. The gold came from Egypt's plunder (12:35-36), voluntary offerings (35:22), and possibly trade. This enormous quantity overlaid the ark, mercy seat, table, incense altar, and cherubim—making the Most Holy Place and Holy Place radiant with reflected lamplight.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the enormous gold quantity dedicated to God's dwelling teach about appropriate valuation of His presence?
- How does using standardized sanctuary weights illustrate the importance of honest dealing even in sacred work?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The gold total—'twenty and nine talents, and seven hundred and thirty shekels' (approximately 1,900-2,200 pounds) 'after the shekel of the sanctuary'—represents enormous wealth consecrated to God's dwelling. The specific standard ('shekel of the sanctuary') ensured accuracy and prevented fraud through variable weights. This massive gold quantity (worth millions in today's terms) demonstrates that building God's house justifies substantial investment, teaching that nothing is too valuable for His glory. The willingness to dedicate such wealth shows genuine valuation of God's presence.