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.

Likewise {H3651} shalt thou do {H6213} with thine oxen {H7794}, and with thy sheep {H6629}: seven {H7651} days {H3117} it shall be with his dam {H517}; on the eighth {H8066} day {H3117} thou shalt give {H5414} it me.

You are to do the same with your oxen and your sheep - it is to stay with its mother seven days, and on the eighth day you are to give it to me.

You shall do likewise with your cattle and your sheep. Let them stay with their mothers for seven days, but on the eighth day you are to give them to Me.

Likewise shalt thou do with thine oxen, and with thy sheep: seven days it shall be with its dam; on the eighth day thou shalt give it me.

Commentary

Exodus 22:30 continues the Lord's detailed instructions to Moses concerning the consecration of firstborn animals, emphasizing a crucial principle of divine ownership and timely dedication. This verse specifically addresses the offspring of oxen and sheep, outlining a precise period they must remain with their mother before being presented to God.

Context

This verse is part of a larger section of covenant laws (often called the "Book of the Covenant" in Exodus 20:22-23:33) delivered by God to the Israelites at Mount Sinai. Following the Ten Commandments, these statutes provided practical regulations for their communal, religious, and ethical life. Specifically, Exodus 22:30 builds upon the command in Exodus 22:29 concerning firstfruits and firstborns. The broader command to give the firstborn to God is deeply rooted in the Passover event, where God spared the firstborn of Israel while striking down the firstborn of Egypt (Exodus 13:2), thus claiming Israel's firstborn as His own.

Key Themes

  • Divine Ownership and Consecration: The core message is that the first and best of all things belong to God. This command underscores God's sovereignty and Israel's acknowledgment that all blessings, including the increase of their flocks, flow from Him. The animal was "given" to the Lord, signifying its dedication for sacrificial purposes or for the sustenance of the priests.
  • The Eighth Day: The instruction for the young animal to remain with its "dam" (mother) for seven days before being given on the eighth day is highly significant. The number seven often symbolizes completion or perfection in biblical numerology, while the eighth day frequently represents new beginnings, resurrection, or a new cycle. This mirrors the practice of circumcision on the eighth day for male infants, signifying their entry into the covenant. For animals, it ensured they were strong enough to survive independently and perhaps symbolized a full week of life before being set apart as holy to the Lord.
  • Obedience and Trust: By requiring the firstborn, God tested Israel's obedience and trust. It was an act of faith to give away the initial increase of their flocks, demonstrating their belief that God would continue to provide. This principle of honoring God with the "firstfruits" is echoed throughout Scripture, such as in Proverbs 3:9.

Linguistic Insights

The King James Version uses "dam" to refer to the mother animal, a common term in older English. The phrase "on the eighth day thou shalt give it me" emphasizes the precise timing for dedication, a recurring theme in the Mosaic Law concerning rituals and offerings. While there isn't a complex Hebrew term here that drastically alters the meaning, the precision highlights the importance of adhering to God's specific instructions regarding sacred practices.

Practical Application

While we no longer offer animal sacrifices in the same manner, the spiritual principles of Exodus 22:30 remain profoundly relevant for believers today. It calls us to:

  • Recognize God's Sovereignty: Acknowledge that everything we have—our time, talents, resources, and even our children—ultimately belongs to God.
  • Practice First-Fruits Giving: Dedicate the "first and best" of our lives to God, rather than what is left over. This could involve giving our best time in prayer and study, our freshest energy in service, or our initial income in tithes and offerings.
  • Trust in His Provision: Giving to God requires faith that He will continue to provide for our needs. This act of obedience builds trust and reminds us of His faithfulness and generosity.
  • Embrace New Beginnings: The symbolism of the eighth day can remind us of the new life we have in Christ and the opportunity to continually dedicate ourselves anew to Him, living a consecrated life set apart for His purposes.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Leviticus 22:27

    When a bullock, or a sheep, or a goat, is brought forth, then it shall be seven days under the dam; and from the eighth day and thenceforth it shall be accepted for an offering made by fire unto 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.

  • Leviticus 12:3

    And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.

  • 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.
← Back