Verse
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Exodus 13:13
ESV Every firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb, or if you will not redeem it you shall break its neck. Every firstborn of man among your sons you shall redeem.
NIV Redeem with a lamb every firstborn donkey, but if you do not redeem it, break its neck. Redeem every firstborn among your sons.
NASB But every firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb, but if you do not redeem it, then you shall break its neck; and every firstborn among your sons you shall redeem.
CSB You must redeem every firstborn of a donkey with a flock animal, but if you do not redeem it, break its neck. However, you must redeem every firstborn among your sons.
NLT A firstborn donkey may be bought back from the Lord by presenting a lamb or young goat in its place. But if you do not buy it back, you must break its neck. However, you must buy back every firstborn son.
KJV And every firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb; and if thou wilt not redeem it, then thou shalt break his neck: and all the firstborn of man among thy children shalt thou redeem.
NKJV But every firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb; and if you will not redeem it, then you shall break its neck. And all the firstborn of man among your sons you shall redeem.

What does Exodus 13:13 mean?

Israel has been told that when they enter the Promised Land (Exodus 13:11), they are to consecrate every firstborn to God (Exodus 13:1–2, 12). This applied to the first male born to a given woman or animal; this male was considered the Lord's. In the case of animals, this would mean sacrifice. Human firstborn were to be "redeemed" by sacrificing a lamb, instead. The prophet Samuel was a rare case where the firstborn was not kept with the family but instead fully given to God for a lifetime of service (1 Samuel 1:11, 26–28).

Donkeys were common and valuable animals in the ancient world. However, they were not suitable for sacrifice under the old covenant. Later laws will define donkeys as "unclean" for the purposes of food (Leviticus 11:2–4). This also meant they could not be sacrificed to God. Such animals were to be killed by breaking the neck, rather than the sacrificial process of bleeding.

Further instructions regarding redemption of sons is later given. Some instructions are related to the Levites shortly after the exodus (Numbers 3:40–48) and others are more general related to practices for future generations (Numbers 18:15–16).
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