Numbers 18:17

But you must not redeem the firstborn of an ox, a sheep, or a goat; they are holy. You are to splatter their blood on the altar and burn their fat as a food offering, a pleasing aroma to the LORD.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — God addresses Aaron and the priestly lineage, defining the boundaries of their material compensation by excluding specific firstborn livestock from the redemption circuit.

The words — אַ֣ךְ ('akh) functions as a restrictive "but" or "only," while בְּֽכוֹר (be.khor) denotes "firstborn," together establishing that these particular animals fall outside the normal redemption protocol.

The thread — The command to treat firstborn males as set apart runs parallel to Deuteronomy 15:19, while the blood-splattering and altar-burning instructions align with the slaughter and offering procedures in Leviticus 3:2 and Exodus 29:16.

Why it lands — The verse dictates that the firstborn ox, sheep, and goat cannot be purchased back, requiring the priests to slaughter them, apply the blood to the altar, burn the fat, and retain the meat as their designated portion.

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

But the firstling of a cow, or the firstling of a sheep, or the firstling of a goat, thou shalt not redeem; they are holy: thou shalt sprinkle their blood upon the altar, and shalt burn their fat for an offering made by fire, for a sweet savour unto the Lord.

Cross-references

Leviticus 3:2 He is to lay his hand on the head of the offering and slaughter it at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. Then Aaron’s sons the priests shall splatter the blood on all sides of the altar.
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 29:16 You are to slaughter the ram, take its blood, and splatter it on all sides of the altar.