Exodus 13:1

The Dedication of the Firstborn · Exodus 13:1–16

Read Exodus 13

Translations

Modern

Then the LORD said to Moses,

Traditional

And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,

Literal

And YHWH spoke to Moses, saying,

Latin

Locutusque est Dominus ad Moysen, dicens:

Original

Hebrew

English

Then the LORD said to Moses,

Notes

Exodus 13:1–10

This review of the customs for Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread prepares the way for teaching about the dedication of the firstborn (13:11–16).

Exodus 13:1–16

Like the Passover celebration, the dedication of the firstborn helped the people remember what God did during the Passover. God spared the firstborn sons of Israel. Because of this, those firstborn sons belonged to him and had to be redeemed (bought back with a price).

Each year, the people sacrificed and ate a lamb. This act pointed forward to what God would do by giving his Son, Jesus Christ, as a substitute. All people deserve death because of sin. But God redeems them through a price, the life of his Son.

Theme notes and profiles

Egypt Moses Pharaoh God’s Love for Israel The Cross and Passover