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:

EXODUS 38:25KJV
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Exodus 38:25 (KJV)

What does Exodus 38:25 mean?

Exodus 38:25 records the total amount of silver collected from the Israelites who were counted in the census: one hundred talents and 1,775 shekels, measured by the standard used in the sanctuary. This verse gives a specific accounting of the silver contributed by the people for use in constructing the tabernacle.

In this part of Exodus, Moses is overseeing the building of the tabernacle, and the verse is part of a detailed record of the materials gathered from the community. The silver came from those who were "numbered" in the census, meaning every eligible Israelite gave a set amount. This careful listing shows the importance of transparency and accountability in handling offerings for sacred purposes.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 38:25

  • "Silver" (כֶּסֶף, keseph): This word refers to the precious metal collected, highlighting its value and the significant contribution made by the people.
  • "Numbered" (פָּקַד, paqad): This term means those who were counted or registered, indicating that the silver was collected from each person included in the census, not just from voluntary gifts.
  • "Shekel" (שֶׁקֶל, sheqel): The shekel was a standard unit of weight and currency. The verse specifies that the measurement used was the "shekel of the sanctuary," which was a precise standard to ensure fairness.
  • "Sanctuary" (קֹדֶשׁ, qodesh): This word refers to the holy place, and here it means that the weights and measures used were those officially recognized for sacred use, not ordinary market standards.

Why Exodus 38:25 matters

  • Exodus 38:25 helps clear up how the materials for the tabernacle were gathered—not through random donations, but through a systematic census contribution, showing order and fairness.
  • The verse emphasizes the importance of accurate record-keeping and accountability in matters related to communal worship and offerings.
  • This accounting connects to the broader theme in Exodus of the Israelites' collective responsibility in building a place for God's presence, making each person's contribution meaningful and counted.

Where else these words appear

“shekels” Hebrew H8255 · used in 54 verses

  • Genesis 23:15 My lord, hearken unto me: the land is worth four hundred shekels of silver; what is that betwixt me and thee? bury therefore thy dead.
  • Numbers 3:47 Thou shalt even take five shekels apiece by the poll, after the shekel of the sanctuary shalt thou take them:(the shekel is twenty gerahs:)
  • Joshua 7:21 When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it.

“talents” Hebrew H3603 · used in 55 verses

  • Genesis 13:10 And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.
  • 2 Samuel 18:23 But howsoever, said he, let me run. And he said unto him, Run. Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and overran Cushi.
  • 1 Chronicles 29:4 Even three thousand talents of gold, of the gold of Ophir, and seven thousand talents of refined silver, to overlay the walls of the houses withal:

“fifteen” Hebrew H7657 · used in 90 verses

  • Genesis 4:24 If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold.
  • Numbers 7:79 His offering was one silver charger, the weight whereof was an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering:
  • 2 Chronicles 2:2 And Solomon told out threescore and ten thousand men to bear burdens, and fourscore thousand to hew in the mountain, and three thousand and six hundred to oversee them.

“congregation” Hebrew H5712 · used in 140 verses

  • Exodus 12:3 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:
  • Numbers 15:25 And the priest shall make an atonement for all the congregation of the children of Israel, and it shall be forgiven them; for it is ignorance: and they shall bring their offering, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD, and their sin offering before the LORD, for their ignorance:
  • Numbers 31:16 Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD.