Deuteronomy 15:19

KJV

¶ 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

All the firstling {H1060} males {H2145} that come {H3205} of thy herd {H1241} and of thy flock {H6629} thou shalt sanctify {H6942} unto the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430}: thou shalt do no work {H5647} with the firstling {H1060} of thy bullock {H7794}, nor shear {H1494} the firstling {H1060} of thy sheep {H6629}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"All the firstborn males in your herd of cattle and in your flock you are to set aside for ADONAI your God; you are not to do any work with a firstborn from your herd or shear a firstborn sheep.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

All the firstling males that are born of thy herd and of thy flock thou shalt sanctify unto Jehovah thy God: thou shalt do no work with the firstling of thy herd, nor shear the firstling of thy flock.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 15:19 issues a clear command for the Israelites to consecrate all firstborn male animals from their herds and flocks to the LORD. This directive encapsulates the profound principle of divine ownership, mandating that the "first and best" of their increase be set apart exclusively for sacred purposes. It further outlines practical restrictions, prohibiting the use of these consecrated animals for common labor or personal profit, thereby underscoring their distinct, holy status as an act of worship and a perpetual reminder of God's redemptive power and faithful provision.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse concludes a significant section in Deuteronomy (chapters 12-15) that transitions from laws concerning the central sanctuary and proper worship to social and economic justice. Specifically, Deuteronomy 15 begins with regulations for the Sabbatical year (release of debts and servants) and the perpetual care for the poor. The command regarding firstborn animals, while seemingly distinct, flows from the overarching theme of covenant faithfulness and God's sovereignty over all aspects of Israelite life. It reinforces that all blessings—whether social equity, agricultural prosperity, or the fertility of livestock—originate from God and demand a response of dedication and worship, ensuring that the "first" of all increase is recognized as belonging to Him.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The instruction in Deuteronomy 15:19 is given to the generation of Israelites poised to enter the Promised Land, a land of agricultural and pastoral abundance. This command builds upon earlier Mosaic legislation (e.g., Exodus 13, 22, 34; Leviticus 27; Numbers 18) concerning the dedication of firstborns. It recontextualizes ancient Near Eastern practices of offering firstborns to deities within the unique covenant relationship between Yahweh and Israel. The dedication of firstborn animals served as a tangible, recurring reminder of God's redemptive act during the Exodus, where He spared Israel's firstborn while striking Egypt's, thus claiming Israel's firstborn (both human and animal) as His own (see [Exodus 13:2](/exodus/13-2 "Exodus 13:2 - Consecration of the Firstborn")). The prohibition against working with or shearing these animals underscored their sacred, non-utilitarian status, preventing their exploitation for human gain.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme is **consecration** and **holiness**, emphasizing that specific portions of Israel's increase are to be "sanctified" (Hebrew: *qadash*), meaning set apart as holy for God's exclusive use, distinct from common purposes. This highlights God's ultimate ownership and sovereignty over all creation and Israel's prosperity. The **firstfruits principle** is also paramount, teaching that the "first and best" of one's increase should be given to God, not as a leftover, but as an act of trust and worship, acknowledging Him as the source of all blessings (cf. [Proverbs 3:9](/proverbs/3-9 "Proverbs 3:9 - Honor God with your Firstfruits")). Furthermore, this practice served as a perpetual **remembrance of God's deliverance and provision**, directly linking back to the Passover and the Exodus event where God claimed the firstborn (see [Exodus 13:11-16](/exodus/13-11 "Exodus 13:11-16 - Redemption of the Firstborn")). The explicit prohibition against using these animals for labor or profit underscores their **sacred, non-utilitarian status**, signifying that God's portion is not for human economic benefit.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Firstling (Hebrew, _bekhor_):** Refers specifically to the firstborn male. In the Old Testament, the firstborn held significant theological and legal weight, often representing the strength, prime, and initial blessing of a family or herd. God claimed all firstborn as His own due to the Passover deliverance, establishing a divine right of ownership over them ([Exodus 13:2](/exodus/13-2 "Exodus 13:2 - Consecration of the Firstborn")).
* **Sanctify (Hebrew, _qadash_):** Meaning to make holy, set apart, dedicate, or consecrate. This verb implies a separation from common use and an assignment to sacred purposes, making something distinct and exclusively devoted to God. When something is *qadash*, it becomes distinct and exclusively devoted to God, highlighting His divine ownership and the sacred nature of the offering.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"All the firstling males that come of thy herd and of thy flock thou shalt sanctify unto the LORD thy God":** This initial clause establishes the core command: every firstborn male animal, whether from cattle (herd) or sheep/goats (flock), is to be set apart as holy for Yahweh. This is not an optional offering but a mandatory act of consecration, acknowledging God's sovereignty over the fertility of their livestock and His prior claim on the first and best.
* **"thou shalt do no work with the firstling of thy bullock":** This specifies a practical prohibition. The consecrated firstborn bullock was not to be used for ordinary agricultural labor, such as plowing, threshing, or drawing carts. Its sacred status precluded its use for any human utility or profit, emphasizing its exclusive dedication to God.
* **"nor shear the firstling of thy sheep":** Similarly, the firstborn sheep was not to be shorn for its wool. The wool, like the labor of the bullock, would represent personal gain derived from an animal dedicated solely to God. This reinforces the idea that the consecrated animal was entirely God's, not to be exploited for human benefit, and was to be brought to the sanctuary for sacrifice.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 15:19 employs **Legal Language** to convey a direct, unambiguous command, characteristic of the Deuteronomic law code. The repetition of "firstling" (Hebrew: *bekhor*) throughout the verse emphasizes the specific object of the command and its theological significance as the "opener of the womb" and God's claimed portion. The verse also utilizes **Parallelism** in the prohibitions: "thou shalt do no work with the firstling of thy bullock, nor shear the firstling of thy sheep." This structure highlights the comprehensive nature of the restriction, applying the principle of non-utilization and exclusive dedication to both types of animals mentioned, reinforcing that these animals are entirely set apart and not for human economic gain.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 15:19 is a profound statement on divine ownership and human stewardship. It underscores that all life and prosperity ultimately belong to God, and that true worship involves acknowledging His sovereignty by giving Him the "first and best" of what He has provided. This law cultivates a posture of gratitude, dependence, and obedience, reminding Israel that their blessings are not merely the result of their own labor but are gifts from their covenant-keeping God. The consecration of the firstborn served as a tangible, recurring reminder of God's redemptive act in the Exodus, where He claimed the firstborn of Israel as His own.

* [Exodus 13:2](/exodus/13-2 "Exodus 13:2 - Consecration of the Firstborn")
* [Leviticus 27:26](/leviticus/27-26 "Leviticus 27:26 - Firstborn Belong to the LORD")
* [Numbers 18:17](/numbers/18-17 "Numbers 18:17 - Priests' Portion of Firstborn Animals")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the literal practice of dedicating firstborn animals is no longer required under the New Covenant, the spiritual principles embedded in Deuteronomy 15:19 remain profoundly relevant for believers today. This command challenges us to examine our priorities and to live lives that acknowledge God's ultimate ownership over everything we possess—our time, talents, resources, and even our very lives. It calls us to give God our "first and best," not merely what is left over, demonstrating our trust in His provision and our commitment to His kingdom. Living a consecrated life means setting ourselves apart for God's purposes, allowing Him to transform our common activities into acts of worship and service, distinct from the world's patterns of self-gain. This fosters a spirit of continuous gratitude and humble dependence on the Giver of all good things, recognizing that true abundance is found in honoring Him first.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you tempted to offer God "leftovers" instead of your "first and best"?**
* **How does acknowledging God's ownership of everything you possess change your perspective on stewardship and generosity?**
* **What practical steps can you take this week to live a more consecrated life, setting yourself apart for God's purposes, distinct from the world's values?**

### FAQ
**What happened to the firstborn animals after they were sanctified?**

Answer: After being sanctified, these firstborn male animals were typically brought to the central sanctuary (initially the Tabernacle, later the Temple) to be offered as sacrifices to the LORD. They were not to be eaten by the offerer at home, but were considered holy and consumed by the priests and their families as part of their portion, as detailed in [Numbers 18:17-18](/numbers/18-17 "Numbers 18:17-18 - Priests' Share of Firstborn Animals"). If the animal had a blemish that rendered it unfit for sacrifice, it could not be offered but was to be eaten at home by the offerer, as specified in [Deuteronomy 15:21-22](/deuteronomy/15-21 "Deuteronomy 15:21-22 - Blemished Firstborn Animals").

**Why were only male firstlings specified?**

Answer: The emphasis on "male" firstlings aligns with the sacrificial system's general requirement for male animals for most offerings (e.g., [Leviticus 1:3](/leviticus/1-3 "Leviticus 1:3 - Burnt Offering Requirements")). Males were often considered to represent strength, prime value, and the perpetuation of the line in ancient cultures. The firstborn male was seen as the "opener of the womb" and thus held a special status, symbolizing the initial blessing of fertility from God. This distinction also prevented the depletion of the breeding stock, as female animals were essential for the continued growth of the herd and flock.

**How does this law relate to the firstborn of humans?**

Answer: The law concerning the firstborn of humans is distinct but related. While human firstborns were also claimed by God due to the Passover deliverance ([Exodus 13:2](/exodus/13-2 "Exodus 13:2 - Consecration of the Firstborn")), they were not sacrificed. Instead, they were "redeemed" or "ransomed" through a monetary payment to the priests (e.g., [Numbers 3:44-51](/numbers/3-44 "Numbers 3:44-51 - Redemption of the Firstborn")), or by dedicating them to service, as seen with the Levites who were chosen to serve in place of all the firstborn of Israel ([Numbers 3:11-13](/numbers/3-11 "Numbers 3:11-13 - Levites as Redemption for Firstborn")). This highlights the sanctity of human life while maintaining the principle of God's ownership of the firstborn.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 15:19, with its command to dedicate the "first and best" of the flock and herd, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is not merely a firstborn among many, but the "firstborn over all creation" ([Colossians 1:15](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - Christ, the Firstborn of All Creation")), signifying His preeminence, sovereignty, and priority in all things. Furthermore, He is the "firstborn from the dead" ([Colossians 1:18](/colossians/1-18 "Colossians 1:18 - Christ, the Firstborn from the Dead")), inaugurating a new creation and securing our resurrection hope. Unlike the animals, which were merely a shadow of a future reality, Jesus is the perfect and unblemished [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") who offered Himself as the singular, once-for-all sacrifice, perfectly consecrated to God's will ([Hebrews 10:5-10](/hebrews/10-5 "Hebrews 10:5-10 - Christ's Sacrifice Fulfills the Law")). His life was not used for common labor or personal gain; rather, it was entirely devoted to fulfilling the Father's mission, culminating in His sacrificial death. Through His perfect offering, He sanctifies us, making us holy and setting us apart for God's purposes ([Hebrews 13:12](/hebrews/13-12 "Hebrews 13:12 - Jesus Sanctifies His People")). Thus, the principle of consecration, once symbolized by firstborn animals, is now embodied in Christ, who invites us to respond by offering our lives as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is our spiritual worship ([Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifices")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Exodus 13:2

Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, [both] of man and of beast: it [is] mine.

Exodus 13:12

That thou shalt set apart unto the LORD all that openeth the matrix, and every firstling that cometh of a beast which thou hast; the males [shall be] the LORD'S.

Deuteronomy 16:14

And thou shalt rejoice in thy feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite, the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that [are] within thy gates.

Numbers 18:17

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.

Numbers 18:15

Every thing that openeth the matrix in all flesh, which they bring unto the LORD, [whether it be] of men or beasts, shall be thine: nevertheless the firstborn of man shalt thou surely redeem, and the firstling of unclean beasts shalt thou redeem.

Deuteronomy 12:17

Thou mayest not eat within thy gates the tithe of thy corn, or of thy wine, or of thy oil, or the firstlings of thy herds or of thy flock, nor any of thy vows which thou vowest, nor thy freewill offerings, or heave offering of thine hand:

Leviticus 27:26

¶ Only the firstling of the beasts, which should be the LORD'S firstling, no man shall sanctify it; whether [it be] ox, or sheep: it [is] the LORD'S.