Bible Strands
Exodus 13:2
“Consecrate to Me every firstborn male. The firstborn from every womb among the Israelites belongs to Me, both of man and beast.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The LORD addresses Moses, commanding the consecration of every firstborn male among the Israelites and their livestock immediately following the departure from Egypt.
The words — קַדֶּשׁ (ka.desh) literally means "consecrate" or "set apart," while בְּכ֜וֹר (be.Khor) denotes "firstborn," together establishing a direct claim over the initial offspring of humans and animals.
The thread — This directive recurs in Luke 2:23 regarding the presentation of a firstborn, Numbers 3:13 where God claims the firstborn after striking Egypt, and Deuteronomy 15:19 which applies the separation rule to herds and flocks.
Why it lands — The text establishes that the initial offspring of both people and livestock legally belongs to God, requiring a tangible response of separation and recognition of divine ownership.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast: it is mine.
Cross-references
- Luke 2:23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord: “Every firstborn male shall be consecrated to the Lord”),
- Numbers 3:13 for all the firstborn are Mine. On the day I struck down every firstborn in the land of Egypt, I consecrated to Myself all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast. They are Mine; I am the LORD.”
- Deuteronomy 15:19 You must set apart to the LORD your God every firstborn male produced by your herds and flocks. You are not to put the firstborn of your oxen to work, nor are you to shear the firstborn of your flock.
- Exodus 22:29 You must not hold back offerings from your granaries or vats. You are to give Me the firstborn of your sons.
- Numbers 8:16 For the Levites have been wholly given to Me from among the sons of Israel. I have taken them for Myself in place of all who come first from the womb, the firstborn of all the sons of Israel.
- Numbers 18:15 The firstborn of every womb, whether man or beast, that is offered to the LORD belongs to you. But you must surely redeem every firstborn son and every firstborn male of unclean animals.
- Exodus 13:12 you are to present to the LORD the firstborn male of every womb. All the firstborn males of your livestock belong to the LORD.
- Exodus 34:19 The first offspring of every womb belongs to Me, including all the firstborn males among your livestock, whether cattle or sheep.
- Leviticus 27:26 But no one may consecrate a firstborn of the livestock, because a firstborn belongs to the LORD. Whether it is an ox or a sheep, it is the LORD’s.
- Exodus 4:22 Then tell Pharaoh that this is what the LORD says: ‘Israel is My firstborn son,