Exodus 38:25

KJV

And the silver of them that were numbered of the congregation [was] an hundred talents, and a thousand seven hundred and threescore and fifteen shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary:

KJV (with Strong's)

And the silver {H3701} of them that were numbered {H6485} of the congregation {H5712} was an hundred {H3967} talents {H3603}, and a thousand {H505} seven {H7651} hundred {H3967} and threescore and fifteen {H7657}{H2568} shekels {H8255}, after the shekel {H8255} of the sanctuary {H6944}:

Complete Jewish Bible

The silver given by the community weighed 100 talents 1,775 shekels [6,650 pounds], using the sanctuary shekel.

Berean Standard Bible

The silver from those numbered among the congregation totaled 100 talents and 1,775 shekels, according to the sanctuary shekel—

American Standard Version

And the silver of them that were numbered of the congregation was a hundred talents, and a thousand seven hundred and threescore and fifteen shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 38:25 provides a meticulous accounting of the silver collected from the numbered members of the Israelite congregation, totaling one hundred talents and one thousand seven hundred and threescore and fifteen shekels, all precisely measured "after the shekel of the sanctuary." This detailed record underscores the immense collective contribution of the people towards the Tabernacle's construction, particularly for its foundational elements, thereby highlighting divine demands for accuracy, integrity, and unified communal participation in sacred service.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Exodus 38:25 is strategically placed within the concluding section of the Tabernacle's construction narrative, specifically [Exodus 38:21-31](/exodus/38-21-31 "Exodus 38:21-31 - Inventory of Tabernacle Materials"), which provides a detailed inventory and accounting of all materials utilized. This meticulous record-keeping follows the preceding chapters that meticulously describe the actual craftsmanship and assembly of the Tabernacle and its furnishings ([Exodus 35-37](/exodus/35-37 "Exodus 35-37 - Construction of the Tabernacle")). The precise enumeration of gold, silver, and bronze in this section emphasizes the faithful fulfillment of God's exact instructions given earlier in the book ([Exodus 25-31](/exodus/25-31 "Exodus 25-31 - Divine Instructions for the Tabernacle")). This particular verse, focusing on the silver, directly relates to the divine command in [Exodus 30:11-16](/exodus/30-11-16 "Exodus 30:11-16 - The Half-Shekel Atonement Offering") for every numbered male twenty years and older to contribute a half-shekel of silver as an atonement offering for their souls. The accounting here serves as a powerful testament that the required offerings were indeed collected and meticulously recorded, demonstrating both human obedience and divine oversight throughout the entire sacred project.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting for this verse is the Israelite wilderness journey, a pivotal period of formative national identity and the establishment of their unique covenant relationship with Yahweh. The Tabernacle stood as the central pillar of their nomadic worship, serving as the portable dwelling place for God's tangible presence among His people. While censuses were common in the ancient Near East, often for military conscription or taxation, Israel's census here, inextricably linked to the half-shekel offering, carried a profound and unique theological significance: it was an act of atonement, a ransom for their lives, ensuring that all contributed equally to a communal act of worship and reconciliation. The "shekel of the sanctuary" was a standardized weight, critically important in an era where varying weights and measures could easily lead to fraud. This sacred standard, likely maintained by the priests, ensured absolute integrity and fairness in all sacred transactions, reflecting God's unwavering demand for honesty not only in worship but also in commercial dealings, thereby establishing a foundational precedent for ethical conduct within the burgeoning community. The vast quantity of silver mentioned also speaks to the economic capacity of the Israelites, even in the harsh wilderness, likely drawing from the considerable wealth they had taken from Egypt ([Exodus 12:35-36](/exodus/12-35-36 "Exodus 12:35-36 - Spoiling the Egyptians")).
* **Key Themes:** Exodus 38:25 significantly contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Exodus and the Pentateuch. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Prescription and Human Obedience**, demonstrating Israel's faithful adherence to God's detailed commands for the Tabernacle's construction, particularly the census and atonement offering ([Exodus 30:11-16](/exodus/30-11-16 "Exodus 30:11-16 - The Half-Shekel Atonement Offering")). Secondly, it underscores **Communal Participation and Corporate Responsibility**, emphasizing that the Tabernacle was a collective endeavor, with every individual contributing to the sacred space where God would dwell among them. This fosters a sense of unity and shared ownership in their covenant relationship. Thirdly, the use of silver from the atonement offering points to the theme of **Redemption and Atonement**, establishing the Tabernacle's foundation on the very act of ransom for their souls, a concept deeply woven into the fabric of Israelite worship and law (cf. [Leviticus 17:11](/leviticus/17-11 "Leviticus 17:11 - Life in the Blood")). Finally, the "shekel of the sanctuary" reinforces the theme of **Divine Standards and Integrity**, showcasing God's demand for precision, honesty, and ethical conduct in all matters, especially those pertaining to sacred worship and resources.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Silver (Hebrew, _keçeph'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to be pale," this term refers to the precious metal itself and, by implication, to money. In Exodus 38:25, it denotes the specific material collected from the Israelites for the Tabernacle's construction, particularly for its foundational sockets. Its pale, lustrous quality and inherent value made it a fitting medium for sacred contributions, often associated with redemption and purification in biblical thought.
* **Talent (Hebrew, _kikkār'_):** Originally meaning "a circle" or "a round loaf," this word evolved to denote a large unit of weight, specifically a "talent." In ancient Israel, a talent of silver was an immense quantity, typically estimated at around 75 pounds (approximately 34 kilograms). The mention of "one hundred talents" here underscores the colossal scale of the collective contribution and the substantial wealth involved in the Tabernacle project, reflecting both divine provision and communal generosity.
* **Shekel (Hebrew, _sheqel'_):** This term refers to a smaller, more common unit of weight, approximately 0.4 ounces (around 11.5 grams). The repeated phrase "shekel of the sanctuary" emphasizes a divinely ordained, standardized weight maintained by the Tabernacle authorities. This standard was crucial for ensuring precision, honesty, and consistency in all sacred offerings and measurements, preventing fraud and highlighting God's demand for integrity in worship and financial dealings within the community.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the silver of them that were numbered of the congregation":** This opening clause precisely identifies both the material and its source. The "silver" (Hebrew: _keçeph_) refers to the precious metal itself, while "them that were numbered" (from Hebrew: _pâqad_, "to muster, count") refers to the census taken of all Israelite males aged twenty years and older. This census was not merely for demographic purposes but was specifically linked to the half-shekel atonement offering ([Exodus 30:11-16](/exodus/30-11-16 "Exodus 30:11-16 - The Half-Shekel Atonement Offering")). The "congregation" (Hebrew: _ʻêdâh_, "a stated assemblage") signifies the entire community of Israel, emphasizing the collective and obligatory nature of this contribution from every eligible individual, ensuring universal participation in the sacred project.
* **"[was] an hundred talents, and a thousand seven hundred and threescore and fifteen shekels":** This segment provides the exact, meticulously recorded total quantity of silver collected. The precision of these figures—one hundred talents (a massive amount, approximately 7,500 pounds or 3,400 kg) and an additional 1,775 shekels—underscores the divine emphasis on accountability, exactness, and transparency in handling sacred resources. It also serves as a powerful testament to the Israelites' faithful obedience in providing the required offerings, reflecting their commitment to God's commands.
* **"after the shekel of the sanctuary":** This concluding phrase specifies the authoritative standard of measurement used for all the silver. The "shekel of the sanctuary" (Hebrew: _qôdesh_, "sacred, holy place") indicates that the silver was weighed according to the official, divinely sanctioned and unchangeable standard maintained at the Tabernacle. This standard was crucial for ensuring absolute accuracy, integrity, and fairness in all transactions related to sacred offerings, preventing any deviation from God's prescribed requirements and upholding the sanctity of the Tabernacle's construction.

#### Literary Devices
The meticulous detail presented in Exodus 38:25, particularly the exact enumeration of weights and measures, prominently features **Precision** and **Numerology**. This precise accounting is far more than mere record-keeping; it underscores the divine demand for exactness, order, and integrity in all matters pertaining to the Tabernacle and sacred service. The sheer volume of silver mentioned also implies **Emphasis**, highlighting the extraordinary generosity and collective effort of the Israelites, demonstrating their full commitment to the divine instructions. Furthermore, the silver itself carries profound **Symbolism**, representing purification, redemption, and the collective atonement of the people, as it was the specific currency mandated for the "ransom for their souls" ([Exodus 30:12](/exodus/30-12 "Exodus 30:12 - The Ransom for Their Souls")). The consistent mention of "shekel of the sanctuary" also functions as a form of **Repetition**, powerfully reinforcing the overarching theme of divine standards, unswerving integrity, and the sanctity of the Tabernacle's construction.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 38:25 powerfully illustrates several profound theological themes central to Israel's covenant relationship with God. It demonstrates God's meticulous attention to detail and His unwavering demand for integrity, accountability, and order in the handling of sacred resources. The collective contribution of silver, rooted in the atonement offering, underscores the foundational principle that every individual, regardless of their social standing or material wealth, has an equal and indispensable part in supporting the dwelling place of God and in their own redemption. This communal effort formed the very physical and symbolic foundation of the Tabernacle, signifying that God's presence rested upon the people's redeemed lives and obedient offerings. This act of giving was not merely transactional but a profound expression of covenant faithfulness, a tangible manifestation of their corporate identity as God's chosen people, and a testament to their unified commitment to His divine purposes.

* [Exodus 30:11-16](/exodus/30-11-16 "The Half-Shekel Atonement Offering")
* [Exodus 38:27](/exodus/38-27 "Use of Silver for Tabernacle Sockets")
* [2 Corinthians 9:7](/2_corinthians/9-7 "Cheerful Giving")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The precise accounting of silver in Exodus 38:25 serves as a timeless and profound reminder of God's unwavering expectation for integrity, transparency, and meticulous stewardship in all matters, especially those concerning His sacred work and resources. Just as every numbered Israelite male contributed equally to the Tabernacle's foundational structure, so too are believers today called to participate actively, equitably, and with intentionality in building the spiritual house of God—the Church. This verse challenges us to deeply consider our own stewardship—not only of financial resources but also of our precious time, unique talents, and spiritual gifts—with the same meticulous care, obedience, and communal spirit demonstrated by the Israelites. It powerfully reminds us that even seemingly small, individual contributions, when offered collectively, cheerfully, and with unwavering integrity, can form the robust and enduring foundation for God's dwelling and His transformative work in the world, fostering a deep sense of communal ownership, shared purpose, and profound unity within the body of Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous accounting in Exodus 38:25 challenge our contemporary approach to stewardship and financial integrity in ministry and personal giving today?**
* **Considering that every numbered man contributed equally, what profound lessons does this teach us about collective responsibility, shared sacrifice, and unified participation in building God's kingdom in our current context?**
* **In what practical and spiritual ways can our seemingly "small" individual contributions—whether time, talent, or treasure—collectively form the vital "foundations" of God's ongoing work in our local communities and globally?**

### FAQ
**Why was silver specifically used for the Tabernacle's foundations?**

Answer: The silver collected from the half-shekel atonement offering was primarily used for casting the sockets (bases) for the boards of the Tabernacle and for the pillars of the veil, as meticulously detailed in [Exodus 38:27](/exodus/38-27 "Exodus 38:27 - Silver for Tabernacle Sockets"). This choice was profoundly symbolic and theologically significant. Silver, a metal often associated with redemption, purification, and ransom in biblical contexts, was explicitly derived from the "ransom for their souls" ([Exodus 30:12](/exodus/30-12 "Exodus 30:12 - The Ransom for Their Souls")). Therefore, the very physical foundation of God's dwelling among His people was literally built upon the collective atonement and redemption of the congregation. This powerfully signified that God's holy presence was established and sustained on the basis of His people's reconciled and redeemed status, making their restored relationship with Him the bedrock of their communal worship and ongoing covenant.

**What is the significance of "the shekel of the sanctuary"?**

Answer: The "shekel of the sanctuary" refers to a divinely mandated, standardized, and official unit of weight used exclusively for sacred purposes within the Tabernacle system. In ancient times, weights and measures could vary significantly, creating opportunities for fraud and dishonesty in commercial transactions. By specifying "the shekel of the sanctuary," God unequivocally mandated a fixed, unchangeable, and universally applied standard for all contributions and measurements related to the Tabernacle. This prevented any manipulation, deceit, or deviation from God's prescribed requirements for offerings, reflecting God's absolute demand for integrity, fairness, and truthfulness in all aspects of His people's lives—both in their worship and in their daily commerce. It set a profound divine precedent for ethical conduct, accountability, and unwavering honesty within the covenant community.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 38:25, with its meticulous accounting of silver collected for the Tabernacle's foundational elements, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The silver, explicitly derived from the half-shekel atonement offering, served as a "ransom for their souls" ([Exodus 30:12](/exodus/30-12 "Exodus 30:12 - The Ransom for Their Souls")), thereby powerfully foreshadowing the perfect, complete, and infinitely valuable ransom paid by Christ. He is the true [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), offering His precious life as "a ransom for many" (cf. [Matthew 20:28](/matthew/20-28 "Matthew 20:28 - The Ransom for Many") and [Mark 10:45](/mark/10-45 "Mark 10:45 - The Son of Man Came to Serve")). Just as the collective silver formed the physical and symbolic foundation of God's dwelling among ancient Israel, Christ Himself is the spiritual cornerstone and the very bedrock foundation of God's new dwelling place—the Church (cf. [Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19-22 "Ephesians 2:19-22 - Christ as the Cornerstone of the Church") and [1 Corinthians 3:11](/1_corinthians/3-11 "1 Corinthians 3:11 - Christ the Only Foundation")). Every believer, like the individual Israelites contributing their half-shekel, is a "living stone" ([1 Peter 2:4-5](/1_peter/2-4-5 "1 Peter 2:4-5 - Living Stones Built on Christ")) being built upon this foundational Christ, forming a spiritual house for God's indwelling by the Spirit. Thus, the meticulous accounting of the silver in Exodus 38:25 points beyond itself to the infinite value, perfect sufficiency, and complete efficacy of Christ's atoning work, upon which the entire glorious edifice of our salvation, reconciliation with God, and God's eternal presence among us is securely and eternally built.

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

Exodus 30:12

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.