Exodus 13:12
New International Version
you are to give over to the LORD the first offspring of every womb. All the firstborn males of your livestock belong to the LORD.

New Living Translation
you must present all firstborn sons and firstborn male animals to the LORD, for they belong to him.

English Standard Version
you shall set apart to the LORD all that first opens the womb. All the firstborn of your animals that are males shall be the LORD’s.

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

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
that you shall set apart to the LORD all that open the womb, that is, every firstborn that comes from an animal which you have; the males shall be the LORD’s.

New American Standard Bible
you shall devote to the LORD every firstborn of a womb, and every firstborn offspring of an animal that you own; the males belong to the LORD.

NASB 1995
you shall devote to the LORD the first offspring of every womb, and the first offspring of every beast that you own; the males belong to the LORD.

NASB 1977
that you shall devote to the LORD the first offspring of every womb, and the first offspring of every beast that you own; the males belong to the LORD.

Legacy Standard Bible
and you shall devote to Yahweh the first offspring of every womb and the first offspring of every beast that you own; the males belong to Yahweh.

Amplified Bible
you shall set apart and dedicate to the LORD all that first opens the womb. All the firstborn males of your livestock shall be the LORD’S.

Christian Standard Bible
you are to present to the LORD every firstborn male of the womb. All firstborn offspring of the livestock you own that are males will be the LORD’s.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
you are to present to the LORD every firstborn male of the womb. All firstborn offspring of the livestock you own that are males will be the LORD’s.

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
From then on, you must give him every first-born son from your families and every first-born male from your animals, because these belong to him.

English Revised Version
that thou shalt set apart unto the LORD all that openeth the womb, and every firstling which thou hast that cometh of a beast; the males shall be the LORD'S.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
sacrifice every firstborn male offspring to the LORD. The firstborn male offspring of each of your animals belongs to the LORD.

Good News Translation
you must offer every first-born male to the LORD. Every first-born male of your animals belongs to the LORD,

International Standard Version
you are to dedicate to the LORD everything that first opens the womb. All the firstborn males of your livestock belong to the LORD.

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

NET Bible
then you must give over to the LORD the first offspring of every womb. Every firstling of a beast that you have--the males will be the LORD's.

New Heart English Bible
that you shall set apart to the LORD all that opens the womb, and every firstborn which you have that comes from an animal. The males shall be the LORD's.

Webster's Bible Translation
That thou shall set apart to 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.

World English Bible
that you shall set apart to Yahweh all that opens the womb, and every firstborn that comes from an animal which you have. The males shall be Yahweh’s.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
that you have caused everyone opening a womb to pass over to YHWH, and every firstling—the increase of beasts which you have: the males [are] YHWH’s.

Young's Literal Translation
that thou hast caused every one opening a womb to pass over to Jehovah, and every firstling -- the increase of beasts which thou hast: the males are Jehovah's.

Smith's Literal Translation
And thou madest pass over all bursting open the womb, to Jehovah; and every one bursting forth young of the quadruped which shall be to thee; the males are to Jehovah.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Thou shalt set apart all that openeth the womb for the Lord, and all that is first brought forth of thy cattle: whatsoever thou shalt have of the male sex, thou shalt consecrate to the Lord.

Catholic Public Domain Version
then you shall set aside for the Lord all that opens the womb and all that is first to go forth among your cattle. Whatever you will have of the male sex, you shall consecrate to the Lord.

New American Bible
you will dedicate to the LORD every newborn that opens the womb; and every firstborn male of your animals will belong to the LORD.

New Revised Standard Version
you shall set apart to the LORD all that first opens the womb. All the firstborn of your livestock that are males shall be the LORD’s.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
You shall set apart to the LORD every first-born that opens the womb and every firstling that comes of the animals that you have; the males shall be the LORD'S.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
You shall separate every firstborn opening the womb to LORD JEHOVAH, and every male opening the womb of oxen that you will have to LORD JEHOVAH.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
that thou shalt set apart unto the LORD all that openeth the womb; every firstling that is a male, which thou hast coming of a beast, shall be the LORD's.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
that thou shalt set apart every offspring opening the womb, the males to the Lord, every one that opens the womb out of the herds or among thy cattle, as many as thou shalt have: thou shalt sanctify the males to the Lord.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Dedication of the Firstborn
11And after the LORD brings you into the land of the Canaanites and gives it to you, as He swore to you and your fathers, 12you are to present to the LORD the firstborn male of every womb. All the firstborn males of your livestock belong to the LORD. 13You must redeem every firstborn donkey with a lamb, and if you do not redeem it, you are to break its neck. And every firstborn of your sons you must redeem.…

Cross References
Leviticus 27:26
But no one may consecrate a firstborn of the livestock, because a firstborn belongs to the LORD. Whether it is an ox or a sheep, it is the LORD’s.

Numbers 3:13
for all the firstborn are Mine. On the day I struck down every firstborn in the land of Egypt, I consecrated to Myself all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast. They are Mine; I am the LORD.”

Numbers 8:17
For every firstborn male in Israel is Mine, both man and beast. I set them apart for Myself on the day I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt.

Deuteronomy 15:19
You must set apart to the LORD your God every firstborn male produced by your herds and flocks. You are not to put the firstborn of your oxen to work, nor are you to shear the firstborn of your flock.

Luke 2:23
(as it is written in the Law of the Lord: “Every firstborn male shall be consecrated to the Lord”),

Numbers 18:15
The firstborn of every womb, whether man or beast, that is offered to the LORD belongs to you. But you must surely redeem every firstborn son and every firstborn male of unclean animals.

Exodus 22:29-30
You must not hold back offerings from your granaries or vats. You are to give Me the firstborn of your sons. / You shall do likewise with your cattle and your sheep. Let them stay with their mothers for seven days, but on the eighth day you are to give them to Me.

Nehemiah 10:36
And we will bring the firstborn of our sons and our livestock, as it is written in the Law, and will bring the firstborn of our herds and flocks to the house of our God, to the priests who minister in the house of our God.

Deuteronomy 12:6
To that place you are to bring your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and heave offerings, your vow offerings and freewill offerings, as well as the firstborn of your herds and flocks.

Deuteronomy 12:17
Within your gates you must not eat the tithe of your grain or new wine or oil, the firstborn of your herds or flocks, any of the offerings that you have vowed to give, or your freewill offerings or special gifts.

1 Samuel 1:24-28
Once she had weaned him, Hannah took the boy with her, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine. Though the boy was still young, she brought him to the house of the LORD at Shiloh. / And when they had slaughtered the bull, they brought the boy to Eli. / “Please, my lord,” said Hannah, “as surely as you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the LORD. ...

2 Chronicles 31:6
And the Israelites and Judahites who lived in the cities of Judah also brought a tithe of their herds and flocks and a tithe of the holy things consecrated to the LORD their God, and they laid them in large heaps.

Romans 12:1
Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

Hebrews 10:10
And by that will, we have been sanctified through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Hebrews 10:14
because by a single offering He has made perfect for all time those who are being sanctified.


Treasury of Scripture

That you shall set apart to the LORD all that opens the matrix, and every firstling that comes of a beast which you have; the males shall be the LORD's.

thou shalt

Exodus 13:2
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
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.

Exodus 34:19
All that openeth the matrix is mine; and every firstling among thy cattle, whether ox or sheep, that is male.

set apart.

Exodus 34:19
All that openeth the matrix is mine; and every firstling among thy cattle, whether ox or sheep, that is male.

Numbers 3:12
And I, behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel instead of all the firstborn that openeth the matrix among the children of Israel: therefore the Levites shall be mine;

Numbers 18:15
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.

Jump to Previous
Animal Apart Beast Body Breaketh Cattle Caused Child Devote First Firstborn First-Fruit Firstling Firstlings Holy Jehovah's LORD's Male Males Matrix Mother's Offspring Open Openeth Opens Side Womb Young
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Animal Apart Beast Body Breaketh Cattle Caused Child Devote First Firstborn First-Fruit Firstling Firstlings Holy Jehovah's LORD's Male Males Matrix Mother's Offspring Open Openeth Opens Side Womb Young
Exodus 13
1. The firstborn are sanctified to God
3. The memorial of the Passover is commanded
11. The firstborn of man and beast are set apart
17. The Israelites go out of Egypt, and carry Joseph's bones with them.
20. They come to Etham
21. God guides them by a pillar of a cloud, and a pillar of fire














you are to present
The Hebrew word for "present" is "עָבַר" (avar), which means to pass over or to transfer. This implies an act of dedication or consecration, signifying a deliberate and conscious act of offering something to God. In the context of ancient Israel, this was not merely a ritual but a profound acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and provision. The act of presenting the firstborn is a reminder of God's deliverance of Israel from Egypt, where the firstborn of the Egyptians were struck down, but the Israelites were spared.

to the LORD
The term "LORD" in Hebrew is "יהוה" (YHWH), the sacred and personal name of God, often rendered as Yahweh. This name signifies God's eternal presence and covenantal faithfulness. Presenting the firstborn to the LORD is an act of worship and recognition of His ultimate authority and ownership over all creation. It is a declaration of trust in God's promises and His ongoing relationship with His people.

the firstborn of every womb
The "firstborn" in Hebrew is "בְּכוֹר" (bekhor), which holds significant cultural and theological importance. In ancient Near Eastern societies, the firstborn son held a place of privilege and responsibility, often receiving a double portion of the inheritance. In the biblical context, the firstborn of every womb, whether human or animal, is dedicated to God as a symbol of gratitude and acknowledgment of His deliverance and blessings. This practice serves as a continual reminder of the Passover event and God's saving grace.

All the firstborn males
The specification of "males" highlights the patriarchal structure of ancient Israelite society, where lineage and inheritance were typically traced through the male line. However, this dedication is not merely about societal norms but about recognizing God's claim over the first and best of what His people have. It underscores the principle of giving God the first and finest, a theme that runs throughout Scripture.

of your livestock
Livestock in ancient Israel was a primary source of wealth and sustenance. By dedicating the firstborn of their livestock, the Israelites were acknowledging God's provision and expressing their dependence on Him for their livelihood. This act of faith was a tangible way to honor God with their resources, trusting that He would continue to provide for their needs.

belong to the LORD
The phrase "belong to the LORD" signifies ownership and dedication. In Hebrew, the concept of belonging is deeply tied to covenantal relationships. By declaring that the firstborn belong to the LORD, the Israelites were affirming their covenant with God and His rightful claim over their lives and possessions. This act of dedication is a powerful reminder of God's deliverance and the ongoing relationship between God and His people, rooted in love, obedience, and trust.

(12) Thou shalt set apart--i.e., separate off from the rest of the flock or herd, that it might not be mixed up with those which were not "sanctified."

Verse 12. - Set apart. The expression is especially appropriate to the case of first-born animals, which would have to be separated off from the rest of the flock, or of the herd, and "put aside" for Jehovah, so as not to be mixed up and confounded with the other lambs, kids, and calves. The males shall be the Lord's. This limitation, implied in verse 2, is here brought prominently into notice.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
you are to present
וְהַעֲבַרְתָּ֥ (wə·ha·‘ă·ḇar·tā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on

to the LORD
לַֽיהֹוָ֑ה (Yah·weh)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

the firstborn male
פֶּֽטֶר־ (pe·ṭer-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6363: That which separates or first opens

of every
כָל־ (ḵāl)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

womb.
רֶ֖חֶם (re·ḥem)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7358: The womb

All
וְכָל־ (wə·ḵāl)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the firstborn
פֶּ֣טֶר ׀ (pe·ṭer)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6363: That which separates or first opens

males
הַזְּכָרִ֖ים (haz·zə·ḵā·rîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 2145: Remembered, a male

of your
יִהְיֶ֥ה (yih·yeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

livestock
בְּהֵמָ֗ה (bə·hê·māh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 929: A dumb beast, any large quadruped, animal

[belong to] the LORD.
לַיהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel


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OT Law: Exodus 13:12 That you shall set apart to Yahweh (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 13:11
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