And you shall take the atonement money is literally “And you [singular] shall take the silver of the coverings-over.” The word for “silver” is the usual word for money. (See the comment at 21.32.) The word for “coverings-over” (plural) is the usual word for atonement, or an act of reconciliation. (See the comment at verse 10.) From the people of Israel is the usual “sons of Israel.”

And you shall appoint it is literally “and you [singular] shall give [or, place] it.” This may be understood as “designate it” (New Revised Standard Version), “apply it” (New Jerusalem Bible), “assign it” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), or “spend it” (Good News Translation). For the service of the tent of meeting is literally “on the labor of the ʾohel moʿed.” (For ʾohel moʿed, see the comment at 27.21.) The word for service is the same word used for the forced labor, or “bondage,” in 2.23, but it may also refer to cultic activity or worship. (See the comment at 12.25.)

This atonement money therefore may have been intended either for the actual construction of the tabernacle or for the expense of maintaining the worship. Good News Translation and Contemporary English Version take it to refer to the “upkeep” of the tabernacle, but in 38.25-28 all of this “silver” was used to make the bases for the frames and the hooks on the pillars. And this same word for service clearly means “work” in 39.32. Translators should recognize that this is a provision not only for the initial construction of the tabernacle but also for the future expense of maintaining it. It is probably the basis for what later became known as the temple or sanctuary tax. Since both meanings seem to be implied, one may say “for the building and upkeep of the sacred tent [or, tabernacle].”

That it may bring the people of Israel to remembrance before the LORD is literally “and it shall be for the sons of Israel for a reminder to the face of Yahweh.” The expression “to the face of Yahweh,” of course, means “in the presence of Yahweh.” It is not clear, however, whether the remembrance, or “reminder,” is for the people of Israel or for the LORD, or both. New Revised Standard Version interprets it one way, “a reminder to the Israelites,” and Good News Translation interprets it the other way, “and I [Yahweh] will remember.” Contemporary English Version has “I will never forget my people.”

It is also unclear what it is that should be remembered. The final clause must also be considered. So as to make atonement for yourselves is identical with the closing words of verse 15, but New Revised Standard Version translates it differently here: “of the ransom given for your lives.” This shows that it is the ransom, or the “tax” (Good News Translation) that the people are to pay, that is to be remembered. Good News Translation, however, interprets it to be Yahweh’s promise “to protect them” (changing the pronoun yourselves to “them”). But this seems to strain the Hebrew syntax too far.

Since this “silver” was actually used in the construction of the tabernacle (see above), it would have served as a constant reminder to the people that they had paid this “tax” as an atonement or “ransom” (New Revised Standard Version) for their lives. We can imagine that it would serve as a reminder to Yahweh as well, but the Hebrew does not clearly support this interpretation. It is best, therefore, to say something like this: “this tax will be a reminder to the Israelites, in Yahweh’s presence, that they [or, you (plural)] have paid for their lives” or “for his protection.”

Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .