* 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