King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, [both] of man and of beast: it [is] mine.
Complete Jewish Bible:
"Set aside for me all the firstborn. Whatever is first from the womb among the people of Isra'el, both of humans and of animals, belongs to me."
Berean Standard Bible:
“Consecrate to Me every firstborn male. The firstborn from every womb among the Israelites belongs to Me, both of man and beast.”
American Standard Version:
Sanctify unto me all the first-born, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast: it is mine.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Sanctify{H6942} unto me all the firstborn{H1060}, whatsoever openeth{H6363} the womb{H7358} among the children{H1121} of Israel{H3478}, both of man{H120} and of beast{H929}: it is mine.
Cross-References (KJV):
Luke 2:23
- (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
Numbers 3:13
- Because all the firstborn [are] mine; [for] on the day that I smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I hallowed unto me all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast: mine shall they be: I [am] the LORD.
Deuteronomy 15:19
- ¶ All the firstling males that come of thy herd and of thy flock thou shalt sanctify unto the LORD thy God: thou shalt do no work with the firstling of thy bullock, nor shear the firstling of thy sheep.
Exodus 22:29
- Thou shalt not delay [to offer] the first of thy ripe fruits, and of thy liquors: the firstborn of thy sons shalt thou give unto me.
Exodus 22:30
- Likewise shalt thou do with thine oxen, [and] with thy sheep: seven days it shall be with his dam; on the eighth day thou shalt give it me.
Numbers 8:16
- For they [are] wholly given unto me from among the children of Israel; instead of such as open every womb, [even instead of] the firstborn of all the children of Israel, have I taken them unto me.
Numbers 8:17
- For all the firstborn of the children of Israel [are] mine, [both] man and beast: on the day that I smote every firstborn in the land of Egypt I sanctified them for myself.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Exodus 13:2
**Exodus 13:2 - Themes:**
1. **Consecration of the Firstborn:** The verse commands the Israelites to dedicate their firstborn children and animals to God, emphasizing the sacred status of the firstborn. This dedication serves as a reminder of God's deliverance of the firstborn Israelites during the final plague in Egypt when the firstborn of the Egyptians were killed (Exodus 12:29-30).
2. **Remembrance of Redemption:** The act of sanctifying the firstborn is tied to the theme of remembrance. It ensures that the memory of God's saving power and the Exodus event is perpetuated through each generation.
3. **God's Sovereignty:** By claiming the firstborn, God asserts His authority and lordship over Israel. This act of dedication acknowledges that life itself, represented by the firstborn, belongs to God.
4. **Covenant Obligation:** This commandment is part of the broader covenant relationship between God and Israel. The dedication of the firstborn is a response to God's faithfulness in keeping His covenant promises.
**Historical Context:**
The Book of Exodus recounts the formation of the Israelite nation following their deliverance from slavery in Egypt. After the tenth and final plague, where the firstborn of Egypt were struck down, God instituted the Passover as a lasting ordinance (Exodus 12:14). The command in Exodus 13:2 is given in the context of the first Passover celebration, as the Israelites are about to leave Egypt.
This command reflects the ancient Near Eastern practice of dedicating the firstborn to the deity, which was common among Israel's neighbors. However, in the Israelite context, this practice is transformed into a unique covenantal relationship with Yahweh, who has directly intervened in history to redeem His people.
Later in Israel's history, the role of the firstborn would be transferred to the Levites, who became responsible for the religious service of the nation (Numbers 3:11-13, 40-51). This transition highlights the development of the priesthood and the formalization of religious duties within Israelite society.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H6942
There are 153 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קָדַשׁ
Transliteration: qâdash
Pronunciation: kaw-dash'
Description: a primitive root; to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally); appoint, bid, consecrate, dedicate, defile, hallow, (be, keep) holy(-er, place), keep, prepare, proclaim, purify, sanctify(-ied one, self), [idiom] wholly. - Strong's Number: H1060
There are 96 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בְּכוֹר
Transliteration: bᵉkôwr
Pronunciation: bek-ore'
Description: from בָּכַר; firstborn; hence, chief; eldest (son), firstborn(-ling). - Strong's Number: H6363
There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פֶּטֶר
Transliteration: peṭer
Pronunciation: peh'-ter
Description: or פִּטְרָה; from פָּטַר; a fissure, i.e. (concretely) firstling (as opening the matrix); firstling, openeth, such as open. - Strong's Number: H7358
There are 25 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רֶחֶם
Transliteration: rechem
Pronunciation: rekh'-em
Description: from רָחַם; (compare רַחַם); the womb; matrix, womb. - Strong's Number: H1121
There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בֵּן
Transliteration: bên
Pronunciation: bane
Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. - Strong's Number: H3478
There are 2229 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יִשְׂרָאֵל
Transliteration: Yisrâʼêl
Pronunciation: yis-raw-ale'
Description: from שָׂרָה and אֵל; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity; Israel. - Strong's Number: H120
There are 581 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָדָם
Transliteration: ʼâdâm
Pronunciation: aw-dawm'
Description: from אָדַם; ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.); [idiom] another, [phrase] hypocrite, [phrase] common sort, [idiom] low, man (mean, of low degree), person. - Strong's Number: H929
There are 172 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בְּהֵמָה
Transliteration: bᵉhêmâh
Pronunciation: be-hay-maw'
Description: from an unused root (probably meaning to be mute); properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective); beast, cattle.