Definition: All the gold that was occupied for the work in all the work of the holy [place], even the gold of the offering, was twenty and nine talents, and seven hundred and thirty shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Exodus 38:24. It’s a really important part of understanding how the Israelites were preparing to enter into a big, significant event – the Tabernacle. Here's what it means in simpler terms: Think of it like this: They were building a giant, elaborate tent (the Tabernacle) and needed a LOT of resources to make it happen. “All the gold that was occupied for the work in all the work of the holy place…” – This refers to all the gold used during the construction of the Tabernacle. "Holy place" means a special area, like a temple or sanctuary, where God’s presence is believed to be felt most strongly. “…even the gold of the offering…” - This is crucial! The gold wasn't just for decoration. It was specifically used as a gift – an offering – to God. It was a symbol of worship and devotion. “Twenty and nine talents…” - This is where it gets interesting. “Talents” were units of work, like bricks or wood. Twenty was roughly equivalent to 12 standard loads of wood. Nine was about 9 loads. So, this means they needed almost 30 loads of wood to build the Tabernacle! “…and seven hundred and thirty shekels…” - This is the amount of money they spent on the construction – roughly equivalent to $730 in modern currency. Putting it all together: The Israelites were working incredibly hard to build a magnificent tent for God, using a massive amount of gold (representing their offerings) and wood (representing their work). They needed almost 30 loads of wood to complete the construction. Why was this important? This was a huge commitment and a demonstration of faith. It showed that they were dedicated to serving God and building a place where he could dwell with them. Basically, it’s a record of how much effort and resources were invested in creating a sacred space for worship. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of this verse further? Connect it to a specific story or event from the Bible?