Exodus 38:26 Meaning and Explanation
“A bekah for every man, that is, half a shekel, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for every one that went to be numbered, from twenty years old and upward, for six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty men.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Each man twenty and older paid half a shekel, totaling contributions from 603,550 men.
The Context of Exodus 38:26
The census tax amount and the number of people who paid it.
What Does Exodus 38:26 Mean?
The specific amount required from each Israelite was a bekah—half a shekel of the sanctuary standard. This payment was collected from every man aged twenty and above who participated in the census, amounting to 603,550 men. The consistency of the amount (half a shekel per person) made the system simple and fair.
This structure reveals that the tabernacle was supported by the ordinary people of Israel, not by priests or special classes. The total contributions of common people generated the bulk of the silver used in the sanctuary, demonstrating that worship belongs to the entire community.
Exodus 38:26 in the Original Language
bekah (בֶּקַע, beqa) — half a shekel, used specifically for ransom or tax; derived from a root meaning 'to split.'
Frequently Asked Questions About Exodus 38:26
What does Exodus 38:26 mean?
Each man twenty and older paid half a shekel, totaling contributions from 603,550 men.
What is the context of Exodus 38:26?
The census tax amount and the number of people who paid it.