Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Exodus 30:15
The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel, when [they] give an offering unto the LORD, to make an atonement for your souls.
15. Rich and poor are to contribute alike, for both stand in the same relation towards Jehovah.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
This was partly to teach them that all souls are of equal worth in themselves and price with God; that there is no respect of persons with God, and in Gods worship and service, but gospel graces, ordinances, and privileges are common and equal to all, Exo 12; 16:18; Gal 3:28; Col 3:11; that all persons are alike obnoxious to Divine justice, and are redeemed by one and the same price: partly to check the arrogance and vanity of the rich, who are very apt to despise the poor; and partly that by this means the number of the people might be exactly known when occasion required it.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel,…. Which shows that the Israelites were alike in the esteem of God, their worldly circumstances making no difference; their souls being alike, the same ransom price was given for them; and that they were all to have an equal share in the service and sanctuary of God, and the price was set so low, that the poorest man might be able to pay it: and even Maimonides y says, if he lived on alms, he was to beg it of others, or sell his clothes from off his back to pay it. This shows the equality of the redeemed and ransomed of the Lord; for though some sins and sinners are greater than others, and some are redeemed from more sins than others, yet all sins being infinite, as committed against an infinite God, but one price is paid for all, and that is the precious blood of Christ, the Son of God, an infinite and divine Person; hence all the ransomed ones have the same faith, righteousness, salvation, and eternal life:
when they give an offering unto the Lord, to make atonement for your souls; which have sinned, are liable to death for it, are the more excellent part of men, and require a great price for the redemption and ransom of them; and hence it is so great a blessing to be ransomed, because it is the ransom of the soul: and such is the efficacy of Christ’s ransom, that it is a full atonement for the souls of men, and their sins, and completely delivers from sin, Satan, the law, death, and hell.
y Hilchot Shekalim, c. 1. sect. 1.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(15) The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less.See Note 2 on Exo. 30:12.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
15. The rich shall not give more This apportioning the same amount to rich and poor showed that in the meeting of Jehovah at the sanctuary all stood upon the same level. It is well to have some forms of offering which will impress this lesson. In making an atonement for souls the rich have no advantage over the poor.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Exo 30:15 The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel, when [they] give an offering unto the LORD, to make an atonement for your souls.
Ver. 15. The rich shall not give more. ] They are both of a price, because in spirituals they are equal. 2Pe 1:1
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Exodus
RANSOM FOR SOULS-II.
Exo 30:15
This tax was exacted on numbering the people. It was a very small amount, about fifteen pence, so it was clearly symbolical in its significance. Notice-
I. The broad principle of equality of all souls in the sight of God. Contrast the reign of caste and class in heathendom with the democracy of Judaism and of Christianity.
II. The universal sinfulness. Payment of the tax was a confession that all were alike in this: not that all were equally sinful, but all were sinful, whatever variations of degree might exist.
‘There is no difference, for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.’
III. The one ransom. It was a prophecy of which we know the meaning. Recall the incident of the ‘stater’ in the fish’s mouth.
Christ declares His exemption from the tax. Yet He voluntarily comes under it, and He provides the payment of it for Himself and for Peter.
He does so by a miracle.
The Apostle has to ‘take and give it’; so faith is called into exercise.
Thus there is but one Sacrifice for all; and the poorest can exercise faith and the richest can do no more. ‘None other name.’
Fuente: Expositions Of Holy Scripture by Alexander MacLaren
The rich = the rich one. “There is no difference “in the matter of atonement, Act 10:34. Rom 3:22, Rom 3:23; Rom 10:12. Then, all Israel without exception: but now “all” without distinction.
offering. Hebrew heave offering. See on Exo 29:27, and compare App-43.
atonement. See note on Exo 29:33.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
rich: Job 34:19, Pro 22:2, Eph 6:9, Col 3:25
give more: Heb. multiply
give less than: Heb. diminish, an atonement. Exo 30:12, Lev 17:11, Num 31:50, 2Sa 21:3
Reciprocal: Gen 23:15 – shekels Exo 38:26 – bekah Lev 14:29 – General Eze 45:16 – the people
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
30:15 The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel, when [they] give an offering unto the LORD, {i} to make an atonement for your souls.
(i) That God should be merciful to you.