Exodus 13:11 - Printer Friendly

ESV: "When the Lord brings you into the land of the Canaanites, as he swore to you and your fathers, and shall give it to you,

NIV: "After the Lord brings you into the land of the Canaanites and gives it to you, as he promised on oath to you and your ancestors,

NASB: Now when the Lord brings you to the land of the Canaanite, as He swore to you and to your fathers, and gives it to you,

CSB: "When the Lord brings you into the land of the Canaanites, as he swore to you and your fathers, and gives it to you,

NLT: This is what you must do when the Lord fulfills the promise he swore to you and to your ancestors. When he gives you the land where the Canaanites now live,

KJV: And it shall be when the Lord shall bring thee into the land of the Canaanites, as he sware unto thee and to thy fathers, and shall give it thee,

NKJV: “And it shall be, when the Lord brings you into the land of the Canaanites, as He swore to you and your fathers, and gives it to you,

This begins the Lord's instructions about what it means to consecrate all firstborn to the Lord (Exodus 13:1–2). That requirement would begin once the Israelites were established in Canaan. The land promised to Abraham (Genesis 12:6–7; 15:13–21) was then occupied by many cultures, all of which fall under the description of "Canaanite." This territory was part of numerous guarantees given to Israel's ancestors (Genesis 17:8; 48:3–4; 50:24). Israel was expected to take this territory both as a fulfillment of their destiny (Deuteronomy 7:6; 14:2) and as God's instrument of punishment against the Canaanite people for their depraved evils (Genesis 15:16; Deuteronomy 9:4).

The first male born to any female—person or animal—would be considered God's (Exodus 13:12). People, as well as those animals that were to be kept alive, were to be "redeemed" with the sacrifice of a lamb (Exodus 13:13). This would serve as a reminder of how God rescued the people from slavery in Egypt (Exodus 12:40–41; 13:14).

Exodus 13:11–16 expands on the command to consecrate all firstborn of Israel to the Lord. Every male which is the first birthed by any person or animal is considered God's. Animals may be sacrificed, but persons and animals that are to be kept must be "redeemed" by sacrificing a lamb. This reminds Israel of God's work on their behalf (Exodus 12:29–32). It also emphasizes the need for sacrifice in order to be reconciled to God.

God reiterates the requirements of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Israel is to celebrate this every year as a way of remembering their liberation from Egyptian slavery. In addition, the people are to consecrate all of the first-born of any mother—both people and animals. Animals that cannot be sacrificed are to be redeemed. Sons are to be redeemed by an animal sacrifice. The Lord creates a column of clouds for the people to follow during the day, which is lit by fire so they can also follow it at night. This keeps them moving quickly. Soon, Egyptian soldiers will catch up to them and God will once again provide miraculous rescue (Exodus 14).

The Lord has just freed Israel from centuries of Egyptian slavery (Exodus 12). The final blow to Egypt was the death of all firstborn (Exodus 12:29–32) on the night of the first Passover (Exodus 12:12–13). God's guidelines for that night are partly repeated here along with directions for the Feast of Unleavened Bread. He instructs the nation about consecrating their own firstborn as He guides them. A column of fiery clouds helps the people travel day and night. This haste is important because Egypt's king is about to change his mind. He will soon send the Egyptian military to chase down the Israelites (Exodus 14).

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.

Accessed 7/10/2025 10:04:58 PM