Exodus 13:12

ESV you shall set apart to the Lord all that first opens the womb. All the firstborn of your animals that are males shall be the Lord 's.

NIV you are to give over to the Lord the first offspring of every womb. All the firstborn males of your livestock belong to the Lord.

NASB you shall devote to the Lord every firstborn of a womb, and every firstborn offspring of an animal that you own; the males belong to the Lord.

CSB you are to present to the Lord every firstborn male of the womb. All firstborn offspring of the livestock you own that are males will be the Lord’s.

NLT you must present all firstborn sons and firstborn male animals to the Lord, for they belong to him.

KJV That thou shalt set apart unto the Lord all that openeth the matrix, and every firstling that cometh of a beast which thou hast; the males shall be the Lord'S.

NKJV that you shall set apart to the Lord all that open the womb, that is, every firstborn that comes from an animal which you have; the males shall be the Lord’s.

What does Exodus 13:12 mean?

Before giving instructions about the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Exodus 13:3–10), the Lord commanded that all Israel's firstborn be consecrated to Himself (Exodus 13:1–2). The first male born to any woman or animal was considered to belong to God. Redemption was required for people and optional for animals. To "redeem" a firstborn required the sacrifice of a lamb. This would remind Israel of the tremendous value which God placed on them. It would also echo the night of the first Passover where the Lord devastated Egypt's firstborn (Exodus 12:29–30) while sparing faithful Israelites (Exodus 11:7) who trusted in lamb's blood (Exodus 12:12–13).

In some rare cases, firstborn were not "redeemed" and kept with the family. A special example is Samuel. His mother, Hannah, dedicated him entirely to God (1 Samuel 1:11). When he was old enough, he went to live and serve with the priests (1 Samuel 1:26–28).

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