Exodus 38:25
And the silver of them that were numbered of the congregation was an hundred talents, and a thousand seven hundred and threescore and fifteen shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary:
Original Language Analysis
וְכֶ֛סֶף
And the silver
H3701
וְכֶ֛סֶף
And the silver
Strong's:
H3701
Word #:
1 of 13
silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
פְּקוּדֵ֥י
of them that were numbered
H6485
פְּקוּדֵ֥י
of them that were numbered
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
2 of 13
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
הָֽעֵדָ֖ה
of the congregation
H5712
הָֽעֵדָ֖ה
of the congregation
Strong's:
H5712
Word #:
3 of 13
a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd)
כִּכָּ֑ר
talents
H3603
כִּכָּ֑ר
talents
Strong's:
H3603
Word #:
5 of 13
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
וְאֶלֶף֩
and a thousand
H505
וְאֶלֶף֩
and a thousand
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
6 of 13
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
וּשְׁבַ֨ע
seven
H7651
וּשְׁבַ֨ע
seven
Strong's:
H7651
Word #:
7 of 13
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 #:
11 of 13
probably a weight; used as a commercial standard
Historical Context
The half-shekel atonement tax (Exodus 30:13-16) was mandatory, not voluntary—unlike gold and bronze offerings. This distinction emphasized redemption's universal necessity: all need ransom, regardless of wealth or status. The total silver (approximately 100 talents) perfectly matched the ninety-six sockets needed (forty-eight for boards, forty-eight for pillars) plus silver for capitals and connecting rods.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the tabernacle standing on silver from every Israelite's ransom teach about the church standing on comprehensive redemption?
- How does the mandatory atonement tax (versus voluntary offerings) illustrate redemption's universal necessity?
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Analysis & Commentary
Silver 'of them that were numbered of the congregation' (כֶּסֶף פְּקוּדֵי הָעֵדָה, keseph pekudei ha-edah)—one hundred talents and 1,775 shekels (approximately 7,500-8,500 pounds)—came specifically from the census atonement tax (half-shekel per person, Exodus 30:13). This redemption money formed the silver sockets supporting the tabernacle, teaching that God's dwelling stands entirely on purchased redemption. Every Israelite's ransom contributed to the foundation, demonstrating that the church stands on comprehensive atonement—every believer's redemption supports the whole structure. No one's ransom was too small; everyone's contribution mattered.