Exodus 30:14 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Everyone who is numbered in the census, from twenty years old and upward, shall give the Lord 's offering.

NIV: All who cross over, those twenty years old or more, are to give an offering to the Lord.

NASB: Everyone who is counted, from twenty years old and over, shall give the contribution to the Lord.

CSB: Each man who is registered, twenty years old or more, must give this contribution to the Lord.

NLT: All who have reached their twentieth birthday must give this sacred offering to the Lord.

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

NKJV: Everyone included among those who are numbered, from twenty years old and above, shall give an offering to the Lord.

Exodus 30:11–16 describes a census tax used to support operations in the tabernacle (Exodus 25:8–9). This is set at a strictly equal amount for every person. The tax also symbolizes how each person has an identical need for redemption to approach a holy God (Mark 10:45). Later, this would reappear as a "temple tax" (Nehemiah 10:32) and feature in parts of Jesus' ministry in Jerusalem (Matthew 17:24).

Items described here function with other sacred objects (Exodus 25—28) constructed for the tabernacle (Exodus 25:8–9). One is a small gold-lined altar for incense. The other is a large bronze basin for ceremonial washing. The last two sets of instructions are for specially formulated anointing oil and sacred incense. Israel will establish a national tax to pay for these.

Much of Exodus is a description of the tabernacle and its components (Exodus 25—28). This is the last section of new designs given in this book. God will assign craftsmen to make the sacred objects (Exodus 31). But while Moses receives these instructions, Israel slips into idolatry (Exodus 32). The last several chapters of Exodus record how God's earlier instructions were followed with precision.

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.

Accessed 8/1/2025 6:28:45 PM