Bible Strands
Exodus 30:12
“When you take a census of the Israelites to number them, each man must pay the LORD a ransom for his life when he is counted. Then no plague will come upon them when they are numbered.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The LORD gives Moses instructions for conducting a census of the Israelites.
The words — תִשָּׂ֞א (ti.Sa') means "you will take" and רֹ֥אשׁ (rosh) denotes "the sum" or headcount of the people of Israel. וְ/נָ֨תְנ֜וּ (ve./Na.te.Nu) translates as "and they will give" the required payment.
The thread — The silver collected from this census is recorded as totaling 100 talents and 1,775 shekels in Exodus 38:25. A later attempt at a census by Joab in 1 Chronicles 27:24 results in wrath coming upon Israel.
Why it lands — The text requires a ransom payment when numbering the people to prevent a plague. It establishes a fixed measure that each counted individual must provide to the LORD.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Numbers 31:50 So we have brought to the LORD an offering of the gold articles each man acquired—armlets, bracelets, rings, earrings, and necklaces—to make atonement for ourselves before the LORD.”
- Exodus 38:25 The silver from those numbered among the congregation totaled 100 talents and 1,775 shekels, according to the sanctuary shekel—
- 1 Chronicles 27:24 Joab son of Zeruiah began to count the men but did not finish. For because of this census wrath came upon Israel, and the number was not entered in the Book of the Chronicles of King David.
- 1 Peter 1:18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers,
- Psalms 49:7 No man can possibly redeem his brother or pay his ransom to God.
- Matthew 20:28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
- Numbers 1:2 “Take a census of the whole congregation of Israel by their clans and families, listing every man by name, one by one.
- Numbers 26:2 “Take a census of the whole congregation of Israel by the houses of their fathers—all those twenty years of age or older who can serve in the army of Israel.”
- 2 Samuel 24:1 Again the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He stirred up David against them, saying, “Go and take a census of Israel and Judah.”
- 1 Chronicles 21:12 between three years of famine, three months of being swept away before your enemies and overtaken by their swords, or three days of the sword of the LORD—days of plague upon the land, with the angel of the LORD ravaging every part of Israel.’ Now then, decide how I should reply to Him who sent me.”