Reference: First-born, Redemption of
Easton
From the beginning the office of the priesthood in each family belonged to the eldest son. But when the extensive plan of sacrificial worship was introduced, requiring a company of men to be exclusively devoted to this ministry, the primitive office of the first-born was superseded by that of the Levites (Nu 3:11-13), and it was ordained that the first-born of man and of unclean animals should henceforth be redeemed (Nu 18:15).
The laws concerning this redemption of the first-born of man are recorded in Ex 13:12-15; 22:29; 34:20; Nu 3:45; 8:17; 18:16; Le 12:2,4.
The first-born male of every clean animal was to be given up to the priest for sacrifice (De 12:6; Ex 13:12; 34:20; Nu 18:15-17).
But the first-born of unclean animals was either to be redeemed or sold and the price given to the priest (Le 27:11-13,27). The first-born of an ass, if not redeemed, was to be put to death (Ex 13:13; 34:20).
See Verses Found in Dictionary
That you shall set apart unto the LORD all that opens the womb, and every firstling that comes of a beast which you have; the males shall be the LORD'S.
That you shall set apart unto the LORD all that opens the womb, and every firstling that comes of a beast which you have; the males shall be the LORD'S. And every firstling of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb; and if you will not redeem it, then you shall break its neck: and all the firstborn of man among your children shall you redeem.
And every firstling of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb; and if you will not redeem it, then you shall break its neck: and all the firstborn of man among your children shall you redeem. And it shall be when your son asks you in time to come, saying, What is this? that you shall say unto him, By strength of hand the LORD brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage: read more. And it came to pass, when Pharaoh refused to let us go, that the LORD slew all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man, and the firstborn of beast: therefore I sacrifice to the LORD all that opens the womb, being males; but all the firstborn of my children I redeem.
You shall not delay to offer the first of your ripe fruits, and of the outflow of your presses: the firstborn of your sons shall you give unto me.
But the firstling of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb: and if you redeem it not, then shall you break its neck. All the firstborn of your sons you shall redeem. And none shall appear before me empty.
But the firstling of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb: and if you redeem it not, then shall you break its neck. All the firstborn of your sons you shall redeem. And none shall appear before me empty.
But the firstling of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb: and if you redeem it not, then shall you break its neck. All the firstborn of your sons you shall redeem. And none shall appear before me empty.
Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a woman has conceived, and borne a male child: then she shall be unclean seven days; as in the days of her customary impurity shall she be unclean.
And she shall then continue in the blood of her purification three and thirty days; she shall touch no hallowed thing, nor come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purification be fulfilled.
And if it be any unclean animal, of which they do not offer a sacrifice unto the LORD, then he shall present the animal before the priest: And the priest shall value it, whether it be good or bad: as you value it, who are the priest, so shall it be. read more. But if he will at all redeem it, then he shall add a fifth part thereof unto your valuation.
And if it be of an unclean animal, then he shall redeem it according to your valuation, and shall add a fifth part to it: or if it be not redeemed, then it shall be sold according to your valuation.
And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying, And I, behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel instead of all the firstborn that opens the womb among the children of Israel: therefore the Levites shall be mine; read more. Because all the firstborn are mine; for on the day that I struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I hallowed unto me all the firstborn in Israel, both man and animal: mine shall they be: I am the LORD.
Take the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites instead of their cattle; and the Levites shall be mine: I am the LORD.
For all the firstborn of the children of Israel are mine, both man and animal: on the day that I struck every firstborn in the land of Egypt I sanctified them for myself.
Every thing that opens the womb in all flesh, which they bring unto the LORD, whether it be of men or animals, shall be yours: nevertheless the firstborn of man shall you surely redeem, and the firstling of unclean animals shall you redeem.
Every thing that opens the womb in all flesh, which they bring unto the LORD, whether it be of men or animals, shall be yours: nevertheless the firstborn of man shall you surely redeem, and the firstling of unclean animals shall you redeem. And those that are to be redeemed from a month old shall you redeem, according to your valuation, for the money of five shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, which is twenty gerahs.
And those that are to be redeemed from a month old shall you redeem, according to your valuation, for the money of five shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, which is twenty gerahs. But the firstling of a cow, or the firstling of a sheep, or the firstling of a goat, you shall not redeem; they are holy: you shall sprinkle their blood upon the altar, and shall burn their fat for an offering made by fire, for a sweet aroma unto the LORD.
And there you shall bring your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, and your tithes, and heave offerings of your hand, and your vowed offerings, and your freewill offerings, and the firstlings of your herds and of your flocks: