Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version “When you take a census of the Israelites to count them, each one must pay the LORD a ransom for his life at the time he is counted. Then no plague will come on them when you number them. New Living Translation “Whenever you take a census of the people of Israel, each man who is counted must pay a ransom for himself to the LORD. Then no plague will strike the people as you count them. English Standard Version “When you take the census of the people of Israel, then each shall give a ransom for his life to the LORD when you number them, that there be no plague among them when you number them. Berean Standard Bible “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. King James Bible 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. New King James Version “When you take the census of the children of Israel for their number, then every man shall give a ransom for himself to the LORD, when you number them, that there may be no plague among them when you number them. New American Standard Bible “When you take a census of the sons of Israel to count them, then each one of them shall give a ransom for himself to the LORD, when you count them, so that there will be no plague among them when you count them. NASB 1995 “When you take a census of the sons of Israel to number them, then each one of them shall give a ransom for himself to the LORD, when you number them, so that there will be no plague among them when you number them. NASB 1977 “When you take a census of the sons of Israel to number them, then each one of them shall give a ransom for himself to the LORD, when you number them, that there may be no plague among them when you number them. Legacy Standard Bible “When you take a census of the sons of Israel to number them, then each one of them shall give a price of atonement for himself to Yahweh when you number them, so that there will be no plague among them when you number them. Amplified Bible “When you take the census of the Israelites, each one shall give a ransom for himself to the LORD when you count them, so that no plague will come on them when you number them. Christian Standard Bible “When you take a census of the Israelites to register them, each of the men must pay a ransom for his life to the LORD as they are registered. Then no plague will come on them as they are registered. Holman Christian Standard Bible When you take a census of the Israelites to register them, each of the men must pay a ransom for himself to the LORD as they are registered. Then no plague will come on them as they are registered. American Standard Version When thou takest the sum of the children of Israel, according to those that are numbered of them, then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul unto Jehovah, when thou numberest them; that there be no plague among them, when thou numberest them. Contemporary English Version Find out how many grown men there are in Israel and require each of them to pay me to keep him safe from danger while you are counting them. English Revised Version When thou takest the sum of the children of Israel, according to those that are numbered of them, 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. GOD'S WORD® Translation "When you take a census of the Israelites, each person must pay the LORD a ransom for his life when he is counted. Then no plague will happen to them when they are counted. Good News Translation "When you take a census of the people of Israel, each man is to pay me a price for his life, so that no disaster will come on him while the census is being taken. International Standard Version "When you take a census of the Israelis to register them, each is to give a ransom for himself to the LORD when they're registered so there won't be a plague among them when they're registered. Majority Standard Bible ?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. NET Bible "When you take a census of the Israelites according to their number, then each man is to pay a ransom for his life to the LORD when you number them, so that there will be no plague among them when you number them. New Heart English Bible "When you take a census of the children of Israel, according to those who are numbered among them, then each man shall give a ransom for his soul to the LORD, when you number them; that there be no plague among them when you number them. Webster's Bible Translation When thou takest the sum of the children of Israel after their number, then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul to the LORD, when thou numberest them: that there may be no plague among them, when thou numberest them. World English Bible “When you take a census of the children of Israel, according to those who are counted among them, then each man shall give a ransom for his soul to Yahweh when you count them, that there be no plague among them when you count them. Literal Translations Literal Standard Version“When you take up the census of the sons of Israel for their numbers, then they have each given an atonement [for] his soul to YHWH in their being numbered, and there is no plague among them in their being numbered. Young's Literal Translation When thou takest up the sum of the sons of Israel for their numbers, then they have given each an atonement for his soul to Jehovah in their being numbered, and there is no plague among them in their being numbered. Smith's Literal Translation When thou shalt take up the head of the sons of Israel for their reviewing, and they gave each a ransom of his soul to Jehovah, and in reviewing them; and a stumble shall not be in them in reviewing them. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleWhen thou shalt take the sum of the children of Israel according to their number, every one of them shall give a price for their souls to the Lord, and there shall be no scourge among them, when they shall be reckoned. Catholic Public Domain Version “When you have taken the sum of the sons of Israel, according to their number, each shall give a price for their souls to the Lord, and there will be no scourge among them, when they will be reviewed. New American Bible When you take a census of the Israelites who are to be enrolled, each one, as he is enrolled, shall give the LORD a ransom for his life, so that no plague may come upon them for being enrolled. New Revised Standard Version When you take a census of the Israelites to register them, at registration all of them shall give a ransom for their lives to the LORD, so that no plague may come upon them for being registered. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleWhen you receive the sum of the children of Israel after their number, then every man shall give a ransom for himself to the LORD, when you have numbered the people; that there be no plague among them, when you number them. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated “When you will receive a number of the children of Israel, for their number each man shall give the redemption of his soul to LORD JEHOVAH whenever you have numbered them, that no death shall be among them whenever you have numbered them. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917When thou takest the sum of the children of Israel, according to 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. Brenton Septuagint Translation If thou take account of the children of Israel in the surveying of them, and they shall give every one a ransom for his soul to the Lord, then there shall not be among them a destruction in the visiting of them. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Atonement Money11Then the LORD said to Moses, 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. 13Everyone who crosses over to those counted must pay a half shekel, according to the sanctuary shekel, which weighs twenty gerahs. This half shekel is an offering to the LORD.… Cross References Numbers 1:2-3 “Take a census of the whole congregation of Israel by their clans and families, listing every man by name, one by one. / You and Aaron are to number those who are twenty years of age or older by their divisions—everyone who can serve in Israel’s army. 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 24:1-2 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.” / So the king said to Joab the commander of his army, who was with him, “Go now throughout the tribes of Israel from Dan to Beersheba and register the troops, so that I may know their number.” 2 Samuel 24:10 After David had numbered the troops, his conscience was stricken and he said to the LORD, “I have sinned greatly in what I have done. Now, O LORD, I beg You to take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have acted very foolishly.” 1 Chronicles 21:1-2 Then Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel. / So David said to Joab and the commanders of the troops, “Go and count the Israelites from Beersheba to Dan and bring me a report, so that I may know their number.” 1 Chronicles 21:7-8 This command was also evil in the sight of God; so He struck Israel. / Then David said to God, “I have sinned greatly because I have done this thing. Now I beg You to take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have acted very foolishly.” Leviticus 27:2-3 “Speak to the Israelites and say to them, ‘When someone makes a special vow to the LORD involving the value of persons, / if the valuation concerns a male from twenty to sixty years of age, then your valuation shall be fifty shekels of silver, according to the sanctuary shekel. Leviticus 27:25 Every valuation will be according to the sanctuary shekel, twenty gerahs to the shekel. Nehemiah 10:32-33 We also place ourselves under the obligation to contribute a third of a shekel yearly for the service of the house of our God: / for the showbread, for the regular grain offerings and burnt offerings, for the Sabbath offerings, for the New Moons and appointed feasts, for the holy offerings, for the sin offerings to make atonement for Israel, and for all the duties of the house of our God. Matthew 17:24-27 After they had arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax came to Peter and asked, “Does your Teacher pay the two drachmas?” / “Yes,” he answered. When Peter entered the house, Jesus preempted him. “What do you think, Simon?” He asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect customs and taxes: from their own sons, or from others?” / “From others,” Peter answered. “Then the sons are exempt,” Jesus said to him. ... Romans 13:6-7 This is also why you pay taxes. For the authorities are God’s servants, who devote themselves to their work. / Pay everyone what you owe him: taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due. 1 Peter 1:18-19 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, / but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot. 1 Corinthians 6:20 you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body. 1 Corinthians 7:23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. 2 Corinthians 8:12-14 For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have. / It is not our intention that others may be relieved while you are burdened, but that there may be equality. / At the present time, your surplus will meet their need, so that in turn their surplus will meet your need. This way there will be equality. Treasury of Scripture When you take the sum of the children of Israel after their number, then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul to the LORD, when you number them; that there be no plague among them, when you number them. takest Exodus 38:25,26 And the silver of them that were numbered of the congregation was an hundred talents, and a thousand seven hundred and threescore and fifteen shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary: … Numbers 1:2-5 Take ye the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, after their families, by the house of their fathers, with the number of their names, every male by their polls; … Numbers 26:2-4 Take the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, from twenty years old and upward, throughout their fathers' house, all that are able to go to war in Israel… their number. Numbers 31:50 We have therefore brought an oblation for the LORD, what every man hath gotten, of jewels of gold, chains, and bracelets, rings, earrings, and tablets, to make an atonement for our souls before the LORD. 2 Chronicles 24:6 And the king called for Jehoiada the chief, and said unto him, Why hast thou not required of the Levites to bring in out of Judah and out of Jerusalem the collection, according to the commandment of Moses the servant of the LORD, and of the congregation of Israel, for the tabernacle of witness? Job 33:24 Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom. no plague 2 Samuel 24:2-15 For the king said to Joab the captain of the host, which was with him, Go now through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan even to Beersheba, and number ye the people, that I may know the number of the people… 1 Chronicles 21:12,14 Either three years' famine; or three months to be destroyed before thy foes, while that the sword of thine enemies overtaketh thee; or else three days the sword of the LORD, even the pestilence, in the land, and the angel of the LORD destroying throughout all the coasts of Israel. Now therefore advise thyself what word I shall bring again to him that sent me… 1 Chronicles 27:24 Joab the son of Zeruiah began to number, but he finished not, because there fell wrath for it against Israel; neither was the number put in the account of the chronicles of king David. Jump to Previous Atonement Census Children Count Counted Disease Israel Israelites Life Numbered Numberest Numbers Pay Plague Price Ransom Soul Sum TimeJump to Next Atonement Census Children Count Counted Disease Israel Israelites Life Numbered Numberest Numbers Pay Plague Price Ransom Soul Sum TimeExodus 30 1. The altar of incense11. The ransom of souls 17. The bronze basin 22. The holy anointing oil 34. The composition of the incense When you take a census of the Israelites to number them In ancient Israel, a census was not merely a population count but a significant event often associated with military or religious purposes. The act of numbering the people was seen as an assertion of ownership or control, which is why it required divine sanction. In 2 Samuel 24, David's unauthorized census led to a plague, highlighting the seriousness of this act. The census here is divinely instructed, indicating God's sovereignty over Israel. 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 Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe leader of the Israelites, who received the law from God on Mount Sinai, including the instructions for the census. 2. Israelites The chosen people of God, who were to be counted in the census and required to pay a ransom. 3. God (Yahweh) The one true God who commanded the census and the ransom payment to prevent a plague. 4. Census The act of counting the Israelites, which was to be accompanied by a ransom payment to avoid divine judgment. 5. Ransom Payment A half-shekel offering required from each Israelite as a means of atonement and protection from a plague. Teaching Points The Importance of ObedienceGod's instructions are precise and must be followed to avoid consequences. The ransom payment was a specific command to prevent a plague. Atonement and Redemption The ransom symbolizes the need for atonement, pointing to the ultimate redemption through Christ's sacrifice. Communal Responsibility Each individual had to contribute to the ransom, highlighting the collective responsibility of the community in worship and obedience. God's Sovereignty and Justice The requirement of a ransom underscores God's sovereignty and the seriousness of sin, which demands justice and atonement. Spiritual Reflection The census and ransom invite believers to reflect on their spiritual state and the cost of redemption, encouraging gratitude for Christ's sacrifice.THE RANSOM OF SOULS. (12) When thou takest the sum of the children of Israel.--A formal enrolment and registration seems to be intended. Hitherto, nothing but a rough estimate of the number had been attempted (Exodus 12:37); now that a covenant had been made with God, an exact account of those who were within the covenant was needed. Moses, apparently, was contemplating such an exact enumeration when the command contained in this text was given him. It would be natural for one trained in Egyptian habits to desire such exact statistical knowledge. (For the minuteness and fulness of the Egyptian statistics of the time, see Records of the Past, vol. ii., pp. 19-28; vol. iv. pp. 46, 47; vol. vi. pp. 35-69, &c.) Then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul.--On being formally enrolled among the people of God, it would be brought home to every man how unworthy he was of such favour, how necessary it was that atonement should in some way or other be made for him. God therefore appointed a way--the same way for all--in order to teach strongly that all souls were of equal value in His sight, and that unworthiness, whatever its degree, required the same expiation. That there be no plague among them.--If a man did not feel his need of "ransom," and gladly pay the small sum at which the ransom was fixed, he would show himself so proud and presumptuous that he might well provoke a Divine "plague," or punishment. Verse 12. - When thou takest the sum. The sum had been taken roughly at the time of the exodus (Exodus 12:37). Moses was now, it would seem, about to take it again, more accurately. No command had ever been given that the people should not be numbered; and the Egyptian habit of compiling exact statistics naturally clung to one who had had an Egyptian training. (See the "Statistical Tables of Karnak," in the "Records of the Past," vol. 2. pp. 19-28.) A ransom. Rather "an expiation," "an atonement" - (as in Exodus 29:33, 36) - something to show that he was conscious of sin, and of his not deserving to be numbered among God's people. That there was no plague. "That they be not punished for undue pride and presumption. There is no thought of such a plague as was provoked by David's numbering (2 Samuel 24:15).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew “Whenכִּ֣י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction you take a census תִשָּׂ֞א (ṯiś·śā) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take of the Israelites בְּנֵֽי־ (bə·nê-) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 1121: A son to number them, לִפְקֻדֵיהֶם֒ (lip̄·qu·ḏê·hem) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 6485: To visit, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit each man אִ֣ישׁ (’îš) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person must pay וְנָ֨תְנ֜וּ (wə·nā·ṯə·nū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural Strong's 5414: To give, put, set the LORD לַיהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh) Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel a ransom כֹּ֧פֶר (kō·p̄er) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3724: A cover, a village, bitumen, the henna plant, a redemption-price for his life נַפְשׁ֛וֹ (nap̄·šōw) Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion when he is counted. בִּפְקֹ֣ד (bip̄·qōḏ) Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 6485: To visit, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit Then no וְלֹא־ (wə·lō-) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no plague נֶ֖גֶף (ne·ḡep̄) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5063: A trip, an infliction will come יִהְיֶ֥ה (yih·yeh) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be upon them בָהֶ֛ם (ḇā·hem) Preposition | third person masculine plural Strong's Hebrew when they are numbered. בִּפְקֹ֥ד (bip̄·qōḏ) Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 6485: To visit, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit Links Exodus 30:12 NIVExodus 30:12 NLT Exodus 30:12 ESV Exodus 30:12 NASB Exodus 30:12 KJV Exodus 30:12 BibleApps.com Exodus 30:12 Biblia Paralela Exodus 30:12 Chinese Bible Exodus 30:12 French Bible Exodus 30:12 Catholic Bible OT Law: Exodus 30:12 When you take a census (Exo. 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