Keraia
Exodus 13

Exodus 13:15

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

Translations

Modern
And when Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the LORD killed every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both of man and beast. This is why I sacrifice to the LORD the firstborn male of every womb, but I redeem all the firstborn of my sons.’
Traditional
And it came to pass, when Pharaoh would hardly 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 openeth the matrix, being males; but all the firstborn of my children I redeem.
Literal
And it came to pass, when Pharaoh hardened himself to sending us out, that YHWH killed every firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of man and to the firstborn of beast. Upon thus I am sacrificing to YHWH all the males opening a womb; and every firstborn of my sons I redeem.’
Latin
Nam cum induratus esset Pharao, et nollet nos dimittere, occidit Dominus omne primogenitum in terra Ægypti, a primogenito hominis usque ad primogenitum jumentorum: idcirco immolo Domino omne quod aperit vulvam masculini sexus, et omnia primogenita filiorum meorum redimo.

Original

Hebrew
English
And when Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the LORD killed every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both of man and beast. This is why I sacrifice to the LORD the firstborn male of every womb, but I redeem all the firstborn of my sons.’

Notes

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.

Events

Parallels

Deuteronomy 15:19–23

People

Pharaoh: Egyptian Pharaoh during the Exodus

Places

Egypt: Ancient nation; Israelites enslaved there; plagues and Exodus

Glossary

Aaron Book of Exodus Chronology of the Bible (New Testament) Deuteronomy, Book of Firstborn Frontlet Hardness of Heart Phylactery Ransom

Topics

Children: Instruction of Children: Male: If First Born, Belonged to God and Were Redeemed Firstborn of Egyptians Killed Frontlets: A Leather Band Worn on the Forehead, Containing Certain Commandments Instruction in Religion Instruction of Children Israel: The Day of Their Deliverance to be a Memorial Memorial: Firstborn Set Apart As A Redemption: Typified: First-Born Thankfulness: Enjoined The First Born: Dedicated to Commemorate the Sparing of the First Born of Token: Consecration of the Firstborn