13 Each one who crosses over to those already counted is to give a half shekel,[1] according to the sanctuary shekel, which weighs twenty gerahs. This half shekel is an offering to the Lord.

Other Translations of Exodus 30:13

King James Version

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.

English Standard Version

13 Each one who is numbered in the census shall give this: half a shekelA shekel was about 2/5 ounce or 11 grams according to the shekel of the sanctuary (the shekel is twenty gerahs),A gerah was about 1/50 ounce or 0.6 gram half a shekel as an offering to the Lord.

The Message

13 Everyone who gets counted is to give a half-shekel (using the standard Sanctuary shekel of a fifth of an ounce to the shekel) - a half-shekel offering to God.

New King James Version

13 This is what everyone among those who are numbered shall give: half a shekel according to the shekel of the sanctuary (a shekel is twenty gerahs). The half-shekel shall be an offering to the Lord.

New Living Translation

13 Each person who is counted must give a small piece of silver as a sacred offering to the Lord . (This payment is half a shekel, based on the sanctuary shekel, which equals twenty gerahs.)

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 30:13

Commentary on Exodus 30:11-16

(Read Exodus 30:11-16)

The tribute was half a shekel, about fifteen pence of our money. The rich were not to give more, nor the poor less; the souls of the rich and poor are alike precious, and God is no respecter of persons, Acts 10:34; Job 34:19. In other offerings men were to give according to their wordly ability; but this, which was the ransom of the soul, must be alike for all. The souls of all are of equal value, equally in danger, and all equally need a ransom. The money raised was to be used in the service of the tabernacle. Those who have the benefit, must not grudge the necessary charges of God's public worship. Money cannot make atonement for the soul, but it may be used for the honour of Him who has made the atonement, and for the maintenance of the gospel by which the atonement is applied.