* All the gold.
If we follow the estimation of the learned Dean Prideaux, the
value of the twenty-nine talents, and 730; shekels of gold,
will be 198,347(9c2e) 12s. 6d. The value of the silver
contributed by 603,550; Israelites, at half a shekel, or 1s.
6d. per man, will amount to 45,266(9c2e) 5s. The value of the 70
talents, 2,400; shekels of brass, will be 513(9c2e) 17s. The gold
weighed 4,245; pounds; the silver, 14,603; pounds; and the
brass, 10,277; pounds, troy weight. The total value of all
the gold, silver, and brass, will consequently amount to
244,127(9c2e) 14s. 6d.; and the total weight of these three
metals will amount to 29,124; pounds troy, which reduced to
avoirdupois weight, is equal to fourteen tons, 226
pounds!--It may, perhaps, seem difficult to imagine how the
Israelites should be possessed of so much wealth in the
desert; but it should be remembered, that their ancestors
were opulent men before they came into Egypt; that they were
further enriched by the spoils of the Egyptians and
Amalekites; and that it is probable, they traded with the
neighbouring nations who bordered on the wilderness. There
appear to be three reasons why so much riches should have
been employed in the construction of the tabernacle, etc. 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. 3.
To prevent pride and vain glory, by leading them to give up
to the divine service even the ornaments of their persons.
1Ch 22:14-16 29:2-7 Hag 2:8
* offering.
25:2 29:24 35:22
* the shekel.
30:13,14,24 Le 5:15 27:3,25 Nu 3:47 18:16
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