Thou shalt even take five shekels apiece by the poll. — It is not stated in what manner the 273 families of whom the redemption money was exacted were determined. Inasmuch, however, as the law of the redemption of the firstborn by the payment of five shekels came into operation from this time (Numbers 18:16), it seems probable that the money was exacted in the case of those who had been most recently born; or it may be that the matter was decided by lot.
After the shekel of the sanctuary. — See Exodus 30:13, where the expression occurs for the first time, and the value of the shekel is stated, as in this verse.