A peculiar sanctity was attached to the first-born both of man and of cattle. God claimed that the first-born males of man and of animals should be consecrated to him, the one as a priest (Ex 19:22,24), representing the family to which he belonged, and the other to be offered up in sacrifice (Ge 4:4).
Abel, on his part also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions And the LORD had regard for Abel and for his offering;
"Also let the priests who come near to the LORD consecrate themselves, or else the LORD will break out against them."
Then the LORD said to him, "Go down and come up again, you and Aaron with you; but do not let the priests and the people break through to come up to the LORD, or He will break forth upon them."
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