King James Version

What Does Exodus 30:12 Mean?

Exodus 30:12 in the King James Version says “When thou takest the sum of the children of Israel after their number, then shall they give every man a ransom for his s... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 30 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

When thou takest the sum of the children of Israel after their number, then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul unto the LORD, when thou numberest them; that there be no plague among them, when thou numberest them. their number: Heb. them that are to be numbered

Exodus 30:12 · KJV


Context

10

And Aaron shall make an atonement upon the horns of it once in a year with the blood of the sin offering of atonements: once in the year shall he make atonement upon it throughout your generations: it is most holy unto the LORD.

11

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

12

When thou takest the sum of the children of Israel after their number, then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul unto the LORD, when thou numberest them; that there be no plague among them, when thou numberest them. their number: Heb. them that are to be numbered

13

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.

14

Every one that passeth among them that are numbered, from twenty years old and above, shall give an offering unto the LORD.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The half-shekel atonement money (ransom for souls) demonstrates that all are equally valued before God—rich and poor pay the same. No one can pay more or less for their soul; redemption has fixed price. This prefigures how Christ's atonement has equal value for all—not more for the worthy, not less for the unworthy. The silver (redemption metal) collected supported tabernacle service, showing that redeemed people fund God's ongoing work.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The half-shekel (approximately 0.2 ounces of silver) was collected during census-taking, serving both as atonement money and practical support for the tabernacle. This became an annual temple tax in later periods.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does equal payment (rich and poor) teach about the equality of Christ's redemption?
  2. How do redeemed people support God's ongoing work in the world?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
כִּ֣י1 of 20
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

תִשָּׂ֞א2 of 20

When thou takest

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

אֶת3 of 20
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

רֹ֥אשׁ4 of 20

the sum

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

בְּנֵֽי5 of 20

of the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵל֮6 of 20

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

בִּפְקֹ֥ד7 of 20

after their number

H6485

to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc

וְנָ֨תְנ֜וּ8 of 20

then shall they give

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

אִ֣ישׁ9 of 20

every man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

כֹּ֧פֶר10 of 20

a ransom

H3724

properly, a cover, i.e., (literally) a village (as covered in)

נַפְשׁ֛וֹ11 of 20

for his soul

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

לַֽיהוָ֖ה12 of 20

unto the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

בִּפְקֹ֥ד13 of 20

after their number

H6485

to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc

אֹתָ֑ם14 of 20
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

וְלֹֽא15 of 20
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יִהְיֶ֥ה16 of 20
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

בָהֶ֛ם17 of 20
H0
נֶ֖גֶף18 of 20

them that there be no plague

H5063

a trip (of the foot); figuratively, an infliction (of disease)

בִּפְקֹ֥ד19 of 20

after their number

H6485

to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc

אֹתָֽם׃20 of 20
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Exodus. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Exodus 30:12 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Exodus 30:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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