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Exodus 13:12

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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.

That thou shalt set apart {H5674} unto the LORD {H3068} all that openeth {H6363} the matrix {H7358}, and every firstling {H6363} that cometh {H7698} of a beast {H929} which thou hast; the males {H2145} shall be the LORD'S {H3068}.

you are to set apart for ADONAI everything that is first from the womb. Every firstborn male animal will belong to ADONAI.

you are to present to the LORD the firstborn male of every womb. All the firstborn males of your livestock belong to the LORD.

that thou shalt set apart unto Jehovah all that openeth the womb, and every firstling which thou hast that cometh of a beast; the males shall be Jehovah’s.

Commentary

Exodus 13:12 is a foundational verse in the Mosaic Law, instructing the Israelites on the dedication of their firstborn. This command emphasizes God's unique claim over the first of all things, particularly in remembrance of His powerful deliverance from Egypt.

Context of Exodus 13:12

This verse comes immediately after the divine command in Exodus 13:2 to consecrate all firstborn sons. The entire chapter serves as a perpetual reminder of the Israelite exodus from Egyptian bondage, specifically tying into the tenth and final plague, where the firstborn of Egypt were slain, but Israel's firstborn were spared through the Passover lamb's blood. The dedication of the firstborn, both human and animal, serves as a lasting memorial of this pivotal event in Israel's history, highlighting God's redemptive power and His exclusive claim on those He saved.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Consecration and Dedication: The core message is the setting apart of the firstborn "unto the LORD." This signifies that the best, the first, and the strongest belong to God, acknowledging His sovereignty and provision. It's an act of worship and obedience.
  • Memorial of Deliverance: This law served as a constant reminder of the Passover and the miraculous deliverance from Egypt. Every time a firstborn animal was dedicated, or a firstborn son redeemed, the story of God's mighty hand was recounted, ensuring future generations understood their heritage of freedom through divine intervention.
  • God's Ownership: By claiming the firstborn, God asserted His ownership over all of Israel and their possessions. This principle extends beyond the literal firstborn to the idea that all of life, and indeed all creation, ultimately belongs to the Creator.

Linguistic Insight

The phrase "openeth the matrix" (Hebrew: peter rechem) literally means "that which opens the womb." This emphasizes the very first offspring, indicating not just the firstborn in a sequence, but specifically the one that initiates the birthing process. The KJV's use of "matrix" here is an older term for the womb, conveying the idea of the initial birth, which held special significance in ancient cultures as a sign of fertility and strength.

Practical Application

While the literal practice of dedicating animal firstlings is not observed today, the principles behind Exodus 13:12 remain profoundly relevant for believers:

  • Prioritizing God: This verse challenges us to consider what "firsts" we dedicate to God in our lives—our first thoughts, our best efforts, our initial income, our prime time. It calls for a life lived with God as the priority, not an afterthought.
  • Remembering God's Deliverance: Just as the Israelites remembered their physical redemption, Christians are called to remember their spiritual redemption through Jesus Christ, who is the "firstborn" of creation and the first to rise from the dead (Colossians 1:15, 18). Our dedication is a response to His saving grace.
  • Living with Gratitude: The act of setting apart the firstborn was an expression of gratitude for God's provision and protection. We are similarly called to live lives of thanksgiving, acknowledging that all blessings flow from Him.
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 (May 20, 2025) 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

  • Numbers 18:15 (7 votes)

    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.

  • Leviticus 27:26 (6 votes)

    ¶ 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.

  • Exodus 34:19 (6 votes)

    All that openeth the matrix [is] mine; and every firstling among thy cattle, [whether] ox or sheep, [that is male].

  • Ezekiel 44:30 (5 votes)

    And the first of all the firstfruits of all [things], and every oblation of all, of every [sort] of your oblations, shall be the priest's: ye shall also give unto the priest the first of your dough, that he may cause the blessing to rest in thine house.

  • Exodus 13:2 (5 votes)

    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 22:29 (4 votes)

    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.

  • Deuteronomy 15:19 (4 votes)

    ¶ 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.