Exodus 30:13 Meaning and Explanation
“This they shall give, every one that passeth among them that are numbered, half a shekel after the shekel of the sanctuary: (a shekel is twenty gerahs:) an half shekel shall be the offering of the LORD.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Each person gives half a shekel according to the sanctuary standard.
The Context of Exodus 30:13
God specifies the exact amount and standard for the census ransom.
What Does Exodus 30:13 Mean?
The half-shekel is a modest, standardized payment—not burdensome but meaningful. By using the sanctuary standard of weight, the payment is guaranteed accurate and just, reflecting God's concern for precision in worship.
This fixed amount applies equally to rich and poor alike, establishing a principle of equality before God in the obligation to maintain one's life through covenant obedience.
Exodus 30:13 in the Original Language
shekel (שֶׁקֶל), 'shekel' — a unit of weight and monetary value; the sanctuary shekel was the official standard against which all tabernacle offerings were weighed.
Frequently Asked Questions About Exodus 30:13
What does Exodus 30:13 mean?
Each person gives half a shekel according to the sanctuary standard.
What is the context of Exodus 30:13?
God specifies the exact amount and standard for the census ransom.