And the brass of the offering was seventy talents, and two thousand and four hundred shekels.

EXODUS 38:29KJV
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Exodus 38:29 (KJV)

What does Exodus 38:29 mean?

Exodus 38:29 reports that the people of Israel contributed a total of seventy talents and two thousand four hundred shekels of bronze as part of their offerings for constructing the Tabernacle. This verse records the exact amount of bronze collected, emphasizing the careful accounting of materials given for the sanctuary.

The verse is part of a section where Moses, or the narrator, lists the materials gathered from the Israelites for building the Tabernacle in the wilderness. The focus here is on the bronze, which would be used for various furnishings and structural elements. By stating the precise quantities, the text highlights both the generosity of the people and the organized management of the resources for this sacred project.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 38:29

  • "brass" (נְחֹשֶׁת, neḥoshet): This word is often understood as "bronze" rather than modern "brass," referring to a copper alloy used in ancient times. Its mention points to the practical and valuable nature of the materials used in the Tabernacle.
  • "offering" (תְּרוּמָה, terumah): This term means a contribution or offering set apart for a special purpose, highlighting that the materials were given voluntarily for God's dwelling place.
  • "talents" (כִּכָּר, kikkar) and "shekels" (שֶׁקֶל, sheqel): These are ancient units of weight, not coins. A "talent" was a large measure, while a "shekel" was much smaller, showing the scale and precision of the record.

Why Exodus 38:29 matters

  • The verse shows the transparency and accountability in handling resources dedicated to a sacred purpose, which would have reassured the community that their offerings were used properly.
  • By listing the exact amount of bronze, Exodus 38:29 connects to the broader theme of communal participation and generosity in building the Tabernacle.
  • The careful record-keeping here helps readers appreciate the logistical effort involved in constructing the Tabernacle and the collective commitment of the Israelites.

Where else these words appear

“offering” Hebrew H8573 · used in 28 verses

  • Exodus 29:24 And thou shalt put all in the hands of Aaron, and in the hands of his sons; and shalt wave them for a wave offering before the LORD.
  • Leviticus 9:21 And the breasts and the right shoulder Aaron waved for a wave offering before the LORD; as Moses commanded.
  • Numbers 6:20 And the priest shall wave them for a wave offering before the LORD: this is holy for the priest, with the wave breast and heave shoulder: and after that the Nazarite may drink wine.

“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:

“seventy” 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.