Exodus 30:14

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Every one that passeth {H5674} among them that are numbered {H6485}, from twenty {H6242} years {H8141} old {H1121} and above {H4605}, shall give {H5414} an offering {H8641} unto the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Everyone over twenty years of age who is subject to the census is to give this offering to ADONAI -

Berean Standard Bible

Everyone twenty years of age or older who crosses over must give this offering to the LORD.

American Standard Version

Every one that passeth over unto them that are numbered, from twenty years old and upward, shall give the offering of Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 30:14 mandates a universal contribution to the Lord from every Israelite man aged twenty years and older who was counted in the census. This offering, often referred to as "atonement money," was a fixed half-shekel for all, regardless of their economic status, emphasizing both equality before God and collective responsibility. The funds collected were designated for the service and maintenance of the Tabernacle, serving as a symbolic ransom for their souls and underscoring the community's unified participation in their spiritual life and worship.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is intricately woven into the broader fabric of Exodus chapters 25-31, a section primarily dedicated to God's detailed instructions for the construction, furnishing, and ongoing maintenance of the Tabernacle. This portable sanctuary was to be the focal point of God's dwelling among His people. Specifically, [Exodus 30:14](/exodus/30-14 "Exodus 30:14 - The Universal Requirement for the Half-Shekel Offering") directly follows the initial command for a census and the stipulation of the atonement money in [Exodus 30:11-13](/exodus/30-11-13 "Exodus 30:11-13 - The Census and Atonement Money"). It serves to clarify the precise age requirement for this mandatory contribution, reinforcing its universal and non-negotiable nature for all eligible males. The subsequent verses, [Exodus 30:15-16](/exodus/30-15-16 "Exodus 30:15-16 - Equality and Purpose of the Offering"), further elaborate on the principle of equality in giving and the divine purpose of the offering: for the Tabernacle's service and as an atonement for their souls.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The command in [Exodus 30:14](/exodus/30-14 "Exodus 30:14 - The Census and Atonement Offering") emerges in the immediate aftermath of the Israelites' miraculous deliverance from Egyptian bondage and the foundational covenant established at Mount Sinai. As a nascent nation, transitioning from slavery to self-governance under divine law, the establishment of the Tabernacle was paramount to their identity and worship. Censuses in ancient Israel were not mere demographic surveys but often carried significant theological or practical implications, such as military conscription or, in this case, for a sacred offering intrinsically linked to the nation's spiritual well-being. This specific offering was distinct from general taxation; it was a sacred contribution solely for the upkeep of the Tabernacle, its furnishings, and the provision of essential items like anointing oil and incense. The concept of "atonement" (Hebrew: *kopher*) was central, signifying a "covering" or "ransom," serving as a profound reminder that their lives belonged to God and required symbolic redemption to avert divine judgment or plague, particularly when numbered.
* **Key Themes:** [Exodus 30:14](/exodus/30-14 "Exodus 30:14 - The Requirement for the Atonement Offering") contributes significantly to several key themes prevalent throughout the book of Exodus. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Provision**, as God Himself institutes this command, dictating the terms of the offering and its purpose. Secondly, it highlights **Covenant Responsibility**, emphasizing that every individual within the covenant community bears a mandatory obligation to contribute to the maintenance of God's dwelling place and the nation's spiritual life. Thirdly, the passage introduces and reinforces the crucial theme of **Atonement and Redemption**, where a symbolic ransom is required for the soul, foreshadowing the ultimate need for a covering for sin. Fourthly, the context of this verse (especially [Exodus 30:15](/exodus/30-15 "Exodus 30:15 - Equality of the Atonement Offering")) powerfully establishes the theme of **Equality Before God**, demonstrating that rich and poor alike stand on the same ground in their need for atonement and their responsibility to God. Finally, it speaks to the theme of **Corporate Worship and Community**, as the collective contributions enable the communal worship life centered around the Tabernacle, uniting the people in their devotion to the Lord.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Passeth (Hebrew, _ʻâbar'_):** This verb signifies "to cross over," "to go through," or "to pass among." In the context of a census, it refers to the act of being counted or registered as one of the people. It implies inclusion in the official enumeration, thereby bringing one under the obligation of the command. The one who "passes among them that are numbered" is the one who is subject to the divine accounting.
* **Numbered (Hebrew, _pâqad'_):** This term means "to visit," "to muster," "to oversee," or "to count." When used in relation to a census, it denotes a divine or authoritative counting of the people, often with a specific purpose or consequence. Here, being "numbered" directly triggers the requirement for the atonement offering, indicating that the act of being counted by God carries a sacred responsibility and implies accountability.
* **Offering (Hebrew, _tᵉrûwmâh'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to lift up," this noun refers to a "heave offering" or "contribution" that is "set apart" or "lifted up" for sacred use. It distinguishes this contribution from a common tax, marking it as a consecrated gift presented to God. The *terumah* was a holy portion, signifying that the half-shekel was not merely a financial transaction but a sacred dedication to the Lord's service and the maintenance of His dwelling place.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Every one that passeth among them that are numbered":** This opening clause establishes the universal scope of the command. It refers to every individual who is officially counted in the census, emphasizing that no eligible person is exempt from this obligation. The phrase "passeth among them" vividly describes the process of being included in the official count, thereby incurring the sacred responsibility.
* **"from twenty years old and above":** This specifies the precise age qualification for the mandatory offering. In ancient Israelite society, twenty years old marked the transition into full adult responsibility, particularly concerning military service and participation in the community's civic and religious life (cf. [Numbers 1:3](/numbers/1-3 "Numbers 1:3 - Census for Military Service")). This age signified full accountability within the covenant community and before God.
* **"shall give an offering unto the LORD":** This declares both the nature and the ultimate recipient of the contribution. It is not a voluntary donation but a mandatory "offering" (*terumah*), and it is given directly "unto the LORD." This highlights the sacred purpose of the contribution, emphasizing its divine ownership and its dedication to God's purposes for the Tabernacle and the spiritual well-being of the entire nation.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 30:14 employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Mandate/Command**, as the verse uses imperative language ("shall give") to express a divine decree rather than a suggestion. This authoritative tone underscores the non-negotiable and obligatory nature of the offering for all eligible individuals. **Inclusivity** is powerfully conveyed through the phrase "Every one that passeth among them that are numbered," which emphasizes that this obligation applies universally to all adult males, without exception, setting the stage for the principle of equality detailed in the subsequent verse. Furthermore, there is a strong element of **Symbolism** embedded within the act of giving. The offering itself, though a monetary contribution, symbolizes a life consecrated to God, a ransom paid for the soul, and a collective participation in the sacred life of the community. The very act of being "numbered" and then giving represents a recognition of divine ownership over life and the inherent need for atonement.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 30:14, read in conjunction with its immediate context, lays down foundational theological principles that resonate throughout biblical theology. It powerfully illustrates the concept of universal responsibility within the covenant community, where every individual, regardless of their social standing or economic wealth, has a mandatory part to play in supporting God's work and maintaining the purity of worship. More profoundly, it introduces and reinforces the critical theme of atonement, where a symbolic ransom is required for the soul, serving as a constant reminder to humanity of its fallen state and the perpetual need for divine provision to bridge the chasm between a holy God and sinful people. The mandated equality of the offering—rich and poor giving the exact same amount—underscores that all are equally in need of God's grace and stand on the same ground before Him, their worth and standing not tied to material possessions but to their identity as His covenant people. This offering also highlights the divine ownership of all life and resources, as the contribution is explicitly given "unto the LORD" for His sacred purposes.

* [Exodus 30:15](/exodus/30-15 "Exodus 30:15 - Equality of the Atonement Offering")
* [Leviticus 27:25](/leviticus/27-25 "Leviticus 27:25 - The Shekel of the Sanctuary")
* [Numbers 3:47](/numbers/3-47 "Numbers 3:47 - Redemption Money for the Firstborn")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The ancient command in Exodus 30:14, though rooted in the specific context of the Tabernacle and an Israelite census, carries timeless principles that are profoundly applicable to believers today. It calls us to a deep recognition of our universal responsibility within the body of Christ. Just as every Israelite man had a mandatory part in sustaining the Tabernacle, so too is every Christian called to contribute to the mission and ministries of the Church, whether through faithful financial stewardship, the generous devotion of time, or the diligent deployment of spiritual gifts and talents. The principle of equality, where rich and poor gave the same fixed amount, serves as a powerful challenge to our modern perspectives on giving; it reminds us that God values the heart, willingness, and obedience behind our contributions far more than the sheer quantity. It underscores that our standing before God is not predicated on our material wealth or social status, but on our shared need for His grace and our unified identity in Christ. Furthermore, this passage encourages us to view all our contributions—be they financial, temporal, or talent-based—not as mere obligations or transactions, but as sacred offerings "unto the LORD," acts of worship that actively support the ongoing work of spreading the Gospel, nurturing disciples, and serving the world, all as an expression of profound gratitude for the ultimate atonement provided for our souls.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific ways do I recognize and actively fulfill my universal responsibility to contribute to the body of Christ today?**
* **How does the principle of equality in giving, as seen in this passage, challenge or affirm my current perspective on financial contributions to the church and other ministries?**
* **Do I consistently view my contributions of time, talent, and treasure as a sacred offering "unto the LORD," motivated by worship and obedience, or do I sometimes perceive them as mere obligations?**

### FAQ

**Was this offering a tax, and what was its primary purpose?**

Answer: While it was a mandatory contribution, it was not a general tax for governmental purposes in the modern sense. Its primary purpose, as explicitly stated in [Exodus 30:12](/exodus/30-12 "Exodus 30:12 - The Ransom for the Soul"), was "a ransom for their souls" or "atonement money." It was a sacred offering specifically designated for the service and maintenance of the Tabernacle, which was the dwelling place of God among His people. This offering served as a symbolic act of redemption, serving as a constant reminder to the Israelites that their lives belonged to God and required a covering for sin to avert divine judgment.

**Why was the age requirement "from twenty years old and above"?**

Answer: In ancient Israelite society, twenty years old was the recognized age for full adult responsibility, particularly for military service and full participation in the community's civic and religious affairs. [Numbers 1:3](/numbers/1-3 "Numbers 1:3 - Census for Military Service") confirms this age for those "able to go forth to war." By requiring the offering from this specific age, God designated those who were considered fully accountable and capable of contributing to the national and spiritual life of Israel. It marked their transition from childhood dependence to mature responsibility within the covenant community, signifying their readiness to bear the full weight of their obligations to God and their nation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 30:14, with its emphasis on a mandatory offering for atonement, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The half-shekel offering was a symbolic "ransom for their souls," a temporary and repeated covering for sin that perpetually pointed to a greater, definitive reality. Christ, however, is the true and final [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), offering Himself as the once-for-all, perfect sacrifice. His sacrificial death on the cross was the complete and ultimate [propitiation for our sins](/1_john/2-2 "1 John 2:2 - Christ, the Propitiation for Our Sins"), a ransom paid not with perishable silver or gold, but with His own precious blood ([1 Peter 1:18-19](/1_peter/1-18-19 "1 Peter 1:18-19 - Redeemed by Precious Blood")). Unlike the half-shekel, which required human contribution, Christ's atonement is a free gift of grace, universally available to "every one" who believes, regardless of their earthly status or wealth, for "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" ([Romans 3:23-24](/romans/3-23-24 "Romans 3:23-24 - Justification by Grace")). He is the ultimate "offering unto the LORD," not merely for the upkeep of a physical sanctuary, but for the eternal reconciliation of humanity to God, establishing a new and living way into the heavenly sanctuary through His own blood ([Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")). In Christ, the principle of equality before God reaches its zenith, as all who are "numbered" among His redeemed are equally saved and made righteous by His singular, all-sufficient work.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Numbers 1:20

And the children of Reuben, Israel's eldest son, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, by their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

Numbers 26:2

Take the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, from twenty years old and upward, throughout their fathers' house, all that are able to go to war in Israel.

Numbers 32:11

Surely none of the men that came up out of Egypt, from twenty years old and upward, shall see the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob; because they have not wholly followed me:

Numbers 1:3

From twenty years old and upward, all that are able to go forth to war in Israel: thou and Aaron shall number them by their armies.

Numbers 14:29

Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, which have murmured against me,

Numbers 1:18

And they assembled all the congregation together on the first [day] of the second month, and they declared their pedigrees after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, by their polls.