Exodus 30:10

Make atonement upon it] RV 'for it.' Owing to the imperfection of all human worship, the altar itself needs to be cleansed with a special rite: see on Exodus 28:38; Exodus 29:36. The reference here is to the ceremonial of the yearly Day of Atonement, for which see Leviticus 16. Most holy] see on Leviticus 2:3.

11-16. The Ransom Money. It is here enacted that, when a census is taken, every person above the age of twenty shall pay half a shekel as his ransom. At the time of a census the people would be impressed with the great privilege of membership in God's chosen nation, and at the same time with their unworthiness to be reckoned in a 'kingdom of priests': see on Exodus 19:5; Exodus 19:6. This need of atonement underlies the payment of a money ransom, which is here called a 'ransom, or atonement, for your souls.' It is to be distinguished from the money given as a redemption for the firstborn, for which see Exodus 13:13. For the use made of the ransom money, see Exodus 38:25.