John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 3. And thy estimation shall be , etc.] The estimation of the man himself that vowed, or of the priest for him, was not left to be made by either of them at their pleasure, but was to be made according to the following rules, in proportion to the age a person was of to be estimated: of the male from twenty years old even unto sixty years old : the account begins with these, because men of an age from the one to the other are fittest for labour, and therefore to be set at the highest price, as they are in the next clause: even that estimation shall be fifty shekels of silver, after the shekel of the sanctuary ; a shekel was about half a crown of our money, or somewhat less, so that fifty of these amounted to about six pounds: these shekels were to be of the full weight, according to the standard that was kept in the sanctuary, and were the highest price that was set upon any; and this was paid equally by all of the same age, whether rich or poor: hence it is said, “in estimations there is nothing less than one shekel, nor more than fifty f931 .”
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-13 - Zeal for the service of God disposed the Israelites, on some occasions to dedicate themselves or their children to the service of the Lord, in his house for life. Some persons who thus dedicated themselves might be employed as assistants; in general they were to be redeemed for value. It is good to be zealously affected and liberally disposed for the Lord's service; but the matter should be well weighed, and prudenc should direct as to what we do; else rash vows and hesitation in doin them will dishonour God, and trouble our own minds.
Original Hebrew והיה1961 ערכך6187 הזכר2145 מבן1121 עשׂרים6242 שׁנה8141 ועד5704 בן1121 שׁשׁים8346 שׁנה8141 והיה1961 ערכך6187 חמשׁים2572 שׁקל8255 כסף3701 בשׁקל8255 הקדשׁ׃6944
