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Tuesday, July 22nd, 2025
the Week of Proper 11 / Ordinary 16
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Read the Bible

American Standard Version

Exodus 38:26

a beka a head, that is, half a shekel, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for every one that passed over to them that were numbered, from twenty years old and upward, for six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty men.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Bekah;   Census;   Religion;   Tabernacle;   Talent;   Tax;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Desert, Journey of Israel through the;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Talent;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Weights;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Money;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Bekah;   Census;   Tabernacle;   Talent;   Weights;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Census;   Changers of Money;   Mishael;   Weights and Measures;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Beka;   Half-Shekel Tax;   Weights and Measures;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Leviticus;   Numbers, Book of;   Tabernacle;   Text, Versions, and Languages of Ot;   Weights and Measures;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Census;   Silver;   Weights and Measures;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Tables of measures weights and money in the bible;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Money;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Tabernacle, the;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Beka;   Egypt;   Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin;   Moses;   Weights and Measures;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Exodus;   Heave-Offering;   Johanan B. Zakkai;   Numismatics;   Polemics and Polemical Literature;  

Parallel Translations

Hebrew Names Version
a beka a head, that is, half a shekel, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for everyone who passed over to those who were numbered, from twenty years old and upward, for six hundred three thousand five hundred fifty men.
King James Version
A bekah for every man, that is, half a shekel, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for every one that went to be numbered, from twenty years old and upward, for six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty men.
Lexham English Bible
It was a bekah for the individual, the half shekel according to the sanctuary shekel, for everyone who was counted, from twenty years old and above, for six hundred and three thousand five hundred and fifty.
New Century Version
All the men twenty years old or older were counted. There were 603,550 men, and each man had to pay one-fifth of an ounce of silver, as set by the Holy Place measure.
New English Translation
one beka per person, that is, a half shekel, according to the sanctuary shekel, for everyone who crossed over to those numbered, from twenty years old or older, 603,550 in all.
Amplified Bible
a beka for each man (that is, half a shekel according to the shekel of the sanctuary) for everyone who was counted, from twenty years old and upward, for 603,550 men.
New American Standard Bible
a beka a head (that is, half a shekel according to the shekel of the sanctuary), assessed to each one who passed over to those who were counted, from twenty years old and upward, for 603,550 men.
Geneva Bible (1587)
A portion for a man, that is, halfe a shekel after ye shekel of the Sanctuarie, for all them that were numbred from twentie yeere olde & aboue, among sixe hundreth thousande, and three thousand, and fiue hundreth and fiftie men.
Legacy Standard Bible
a beka a head (that is, half a shekel according to the shekel of the sanctuary), for each one who passed over to those who were numbered, from twenty years old and upward, for 603,550 men.
Contemporary English Version
Everyone who was counted paid the required amount, and there was a total of 603,550 men who were twenty years old or older.
Complete Jewish Bible
This was a beka per person, that is, half a shekel [one-fifth of an ounce], using the sanctuary shekel, for everyone twenty years old or older counted in the census, 603,550 men.
Darby Translation
a bekah the head—half a shekel, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, for every one that passed the numbering from twenty years old and upward, [of] the six hundred and three thousand five hundred and fifty.
English Standard Version
a beka a head (that is, half a shekel, by the shekel of the sanctuary), for everyone who was listed in the records, from twenty years old and upward, for 603,550 men.
George Lamsa Translation
A shekel for every head, that is half a shekel, by the weight of the sanctuary, for every one who was included in the number, from twenty years old and upward, for six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty men.
Good News Translation
This amount equaled the total paid by all persons enrolled in the census, each one paying the required amount, weighed according to the official standard. There were 603,550 men twenty years old or older enrolled in the census.
Christian Standard Bible®
one-fifth of an ounce per man, that is, half a shekel according to the sanctuary shekel, from everyone twenty years old or more who had crossed over to the registered group, 603,550 men.
Literal Translation
a bekah for a head, half a shekel, by the shekel of the holy place, for everyone passing over to those numbered, from a son of twenty years and upward, for six hundred and three thousand, five hundred and fifty persons .
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
so many heades so many half Sycles, after the Sycle of the Sanctuary, of all that were nombred from twentye yeare olde and aboue, euen sixe hundreth thousande, thre thousande, fyue hundreth and fiftye.
Bible in Basic English
A beka, that is, half a shekel by the holy scale, for everyone who was numbered; there were six hundred and three thousand, five hundred and fifty men of twenty years old and over.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
For euery man an halfe weyght, euen halfe a sicle, after the sicle of the sanctuarie, for all them that went to be numbred, from twentie yere olde and aboue, euen for sixe hundred thousande and three thousande, and fiue hundreth and fiftie men.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
a beka a head, that is, half a shekel, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for every one that passed over to them that are numbered, from twenty years old and upward, for six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty men.
King James Version (1611)
A Bekah for euery man, that is, halfe a shekel, after the shekel of the Sanctuary, for euery one that went to be numbred, from twentie yeeres olde and vpward, for sixe hundred thousand, and three thousand, and fiue hundred, and fiftie men.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
He made the brazen laver, and the brazen base of it of the mirrors of the women that fasted, who fasted by the doors of the tabernacle of witness, in the day in which he set it up.
English Revised Version
a beka a head, that is, half a shekel, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for every one that passed over to them that were numbered, from twenty years old and upward, for six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty men.
Berean Standard Bible
a beka per person, that is, half a shekel, according to the sanctuary shekel, from everyone twenty years of age or older who had crossed over to be numbered, a total of 603,550 men.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Ferthermore, an hundrid talentis of siluer weren, of whiche the foundementis of the seyntuarie weren yotun togidere, and of the entryng, where the veil hangith;
Young's Literal Translation
a bekah for a poll (half a shekel, by the shekel of the sanctuary,) for every one who is passing over unto those numbered, from a son of twenty years and upwards, for six hundred thousand, and three thousand, and five hundred and fifty.
Update Bible Version
a beka a head, [that is], half a shekel, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for every one that passed over to those that were numbered, from twenty years old and upward, for six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty men.
Webster's Bible Translation
A bekah for every man, [that is], half a shekel, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for every one that went to be numbered, from twenty years old and upward, for six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty [men].
World English Bible
a beka a head, that is, half a shekel, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for everyone who passed over to those who were numbered, from twenty years old and upward, for six hundred three thousand five hundred fifty men.
New King James Version
a bekah for each man (that is, half a shekel, according to the shekel of the sanctuary), for everyone included in the numbering from twenty years old and above, for six hundred and three thousand, five hundred and fifty men.
New Living Translation
This silver came from the tax collected from each man registered in the census. (The tax is one beka, which is half a shekel, based on the sanctuary shekel.) The tax was collected from 603,550 men who had reached their twentieth birthday.
New Life Bible
Each one of the men who were twenty years old and older, added up to 603,550 men, gave only a small weight of silver.
New Revised Standard
a beka a head (that is, half a shekel, measured by the sanctuary shekel), for everyone who was counted in the census, from twenty years old and upward, for six hundred three thousand, five hundred fifty men.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
a bekah per head, that is a half shekel, by the shekel of the sanctuary, for all that passed over to them who had been numbered, from twenty years old and upwards, for six hundred and three thousand, and five hundred and fifty.
Douay-Rheims Bible
There were moreover a hundred talents of silver, whereof were cast the sockets of the sanctuary, and of the entry where the veil hangeth.
Revised Standard Version
a beka a head (that is, half a shekel, by the shekel of the sanctuary), for every one who was numbered in the census, from twenty years old and upward, for six hundred and three thousand, five hundred and fifty men.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
a beka a head (that is, half a shekel according to the shekel of the sanctuary), for each one who passed over to those who were numbered, from twenty years old and upward, for 603,550 men.

Contextual Overview

21 This is the sum of the things for the tabernacle, even the tabernacle of the testimony, as they were counted, according to the commandment of Moses, for the service of the Levites, by the hand of Ithamar, the son of Aaron the priest. 22 And Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, made all that Jehovah commanded Moses. 23 And with him was Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver, and a skilful workman, and an embroiderer in blue, and in purple, and in scarlet, and in fine linen. 24 All the gold that was used for the work in all the work of the sanctuary, even the gold of the offering, was twenty and nine talents, and seven hundred and thirty shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary. 25 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: 26 a beka a head, that is, half a shekel, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for every one that passed over to them that were numbered, from twenty years old and upward, for six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty men. 27 And the hundred talents of silver were for casting the sockets of the sanctuary, and the sockets of the veil; a hundred sockets for the hundred talents, a talent for a socket. 28 And of the thousand seven hundred seventy and five shekels he made hooks for the pillars, and overlaid their capitals, and made fillets for them. 29 And the brass of the offering was seventy talents, and two thousand and four hundred shekels. 30 And therewith he made the sockets to the door of the tent of meeting, and the brazen altar, and the brazen grating for it, and all the vessels of the altar,

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

bekah: Exodus 30:13, Exodus 30:15, Exodus 30:16

every man: Heb. a poll, Numbers 1:46

six hundred: Exodus 12:37, Numbers 1:46

Reciprocal: Exodus 30:12 - takest Numbers 1:2 - Take ye the sum Numbers 2:32 - General Numbers 11:21 - General Numbers 26:2 - General 2 Chronicles 25:6 - an hundred talents of silver Matthew 17:24 - tribute

Cross-References

Genesis 4:1
And the man knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man with the help of Jehovah.
Genesis 37:33
And he knew it, and said, It is my son's coat; an evil beast hath devoured him; Joseph is without doubt torn in pieces.
Genesis 38:2
And Judah saw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite whose name was Shua; and he took her, and went in unto her.
Genesis 38:3
And she conceived, and bare a son; and he called his name Er.
Genesis 38:11
Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter-in-law, Remain a widow in thy father's house, till Shelah my son be grown up; for he said, Lest he also die, like his brethren. And Tamar went and dwelt in her father's house.
Genesis 38:12
And in process of time Shua's daughter, the wife of Judah, died; and Judah was comforted, and went up unto his sheep-shearers to Timnah, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite.
Genesis 38:14
And she put off from her the garments of her widowhood, and covered herself with her veil, and wrapped herself, and sat in the gate of Enaim, which is by the way to Timnah; for she saw that Shelah was grown up, and she was not given unto him to wife.
1 Samuel 24:17
And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I; for thou hast rendered unto me good, whereas I have rendered unto thee evil.
2 Samuel 16:22
So they spread Absalom a tent upon the top of the house; and Absalom went in unto his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel.
2 Samuel 20:3
And David came to his house at Jerusalem; and the king took the ten women his concubines, whom he had left to keep the house, and put them in ward, and provided them with sustenance, but went not in unto them. So they were shut up unto the day of their death, living in widowhood.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

A bekah for every man, [that is], half a shekel, after the shekel of the sanctuary,.... A half shekel was called a "bekah", from בקע, "bakah", to divide; because it was a shekel divided into two parts:

for everyone that went to be numbered, from twenty years and upwards; in order to give a ransom, and make an atonement for their souls, as was ordered Exodus 30:12

for six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty [men]; so that from the time of their coming out of Egypt, which was now about six months ago, there was an increase of 3550 of the above age; see Exodus 12:37.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

A bekah - Literally, “a half”: the words “half a shekel,” etc. appear to be inserted only for emphasis, to enforce the accuracy to be observed in the payment. See Exodus 30:13. Respecting the capitation and the numbering of the people, see Exodus 30:12.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Exodus 38:26. A bekah for every man — The Hebrew word בקי beka, from בקי baka, to divide, separate into two, seems to signify, not a particular coin, but a shekel broken or cut in two; so, anciently, our farthing was a penny divided in the midst and then subdivided, so that each division contained the fourth part of the penny; hence its name fourthing or fourthling, since corrupted into farthing.

THERE appear to be three particular reasons why much riches should be employed in the construction of the tabernacle, c.

1. To impress the people's minds with the glory and dignity of the Divine Majesty, and the importance of his service.

2. To take out of their hands the occasion of covetousness for as they brought much spoils out of Egypt, and could have little if any use for gold and silver in the wilderness, where it does not appear that they had much intercourse with any other people, and were miraculously supported, so that they did not need their riches, it was right to employ that in the worship of God which otherwise might have engendered that love which is the root of all evil.

3. To prevent pride and vainglory, by leading them to give up to the Divine service even the ornaments of their persons, which would have had too direct a tendency to divert their minds from better things. Thus God's worship was rendered august and respectable, incitements to sin and low desires removed, and the people instructed to consider nothing valuable, but as far as it might be employed to the glory and in the service of God.


 
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