Exodus 34:19
New International Version
“The first offspring of every womb belongs to me, including all the firstborn males of your livestock, whether from herd or flock.

New Living Translation
“The firstborn of every animal belongs to me, including the firstborn males from your herds of cattle and your flocks of sheep and goats.

English Standard Version
All that open the womb are mine, all your male livestock, the firstborn of cow and sheep.

Berean Standard Bible
The first offspring of every womb belongs to Me, including all the firstborn males among your livestock, whether cattle or sheep.

King James Bible
All that openeth the matrix is mine; and every firstling among thy cattle, whether ox or sheep, that is male.

New King James Version
“All that open the womb are Mine, and every male firstborn among your livestock, whether ox or sheep.

New American Standard Bible
“The firstborn from every womb belongs to Me, and all your male livestock, the firstborn from cattle and sheep.

NASB 1995
“The first offspring from every womb belongs to Me, and all your male livestock, the first offspring from cattle and sheep.

NASB 1977
“The first offspring from every womb belongs to Me, and all your male livestock, the first offspring from cattle and sheep.

Legacy Standard Bible
“The first offspring from every womb belongs to Me, even of all your male livestock, the first offspring from cattle and sheep.

Amplified Bible
“All the firstborn males among your livestock belong to Me, whether cattle or sheep.

Christian Standard Bible
“The firstborn male from every womb belongs to me, including all your male livestock, the firstborn of cattle or sheep.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The firstborn male from every womb belongs to Me, including all your male livestock, the firstborn of cattle or sheep.

American Standard Version
All that openeth the womb is mine; and all thy cattle that is male, the firstlings of cow and sheep.

Contemporary English Version
The first-born males of your families and of your flocks and herds belong to me.

English Revised Version
All that openeth the womb is mine; and all thy cattle that is male, the firstlings of ox and sheep.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Every first male offspring is mine, even the firstborn males of all your livestock, whether cattle, sheep, or goats.

Good News Translation
"Every first-born son and first-born male domestic animal belongs to me,

International Standard Version
"Everything firstborn belongs to me: all the males of your herds, the firstborn of both cattle and sheep.

Majority Standard Bible
The first offspring of every womb belongs to Me, including all the firstborn males among your livestock, whether cattle or sheep.

NET Bible
"Every firstborn of the womb belongs to me, even every firstborn of your cattle that is a male, whether ox or sheep.

New Heart English Bible
All that opens the womb is mine; and all your livestock that is male, the firstborn of cow and sheep.

Webster's Bible Translation
Every first-born is mine: and every firstling among thy cattle, whether ox or sheep, that is male.

World English Bible
“All that opens the womb is mine; and all your livestock that is male, the firstborn of cow and sheep.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
All opening a womb [are] Mine, and every firstling of your livestock born a male, [whether] ox or sheep;

Young's Literal Translation
All opening a womb are Mine, and every firstling of thy cattle born a male, ox or sheep;

Smith's Literal Translation
All opening the womb is to me: all thy cattle, the male, the firstling of the ox or sheep.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
All of the male kind, that openeth the womb, shall be mine. Of all beasts, both of oxen and of sheep, it shall be mine.

Catholic Public Domain Version
All of the male kind, which open the womb, shall be mine: from all the animals, as much of oxen as of sheep, it shall be mine.

New American Bible
To me belongs every male that opens the womb among all your livestock, whether in the herd or in the flock.

New Revised Standard Version
All that first opens the womb is mine, all your male livestock, the firstborn of cow and sheep.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
All that opens the womb is mine; and every firstling among your cattle, both of the oxen and of the lambs.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Keep the feast of unleavened bread for seven days; you will eat unleavened bread as I ordered you in the time of the month of the flowers, because in the month of Habiba you came out from Egypt.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
All that openeth the womb is Mine; and of all thy cattle thou shalt sanctify the males, the firstlings of ox and sheep.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
The males are mine, everything that opens the womb; every first-born of oxen, and every first-born of sheep.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The LORD Renews the Covenant
18You are to keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread. For seven days at the appointed time in the month of Abib, you are to eat unleavened bread as I commanded you. For in the month of Abib you came out of Egypt. 19The first offspring of every womb belongs to Me, including all the firstborn males among your livestock, whether cattle or sheep. 20You must redeem the firstborn of a donkey with a lamb; but if you do not redeem it, you are to break its neck. You must redeem all the firstborn of your sons. No one shall appear before Me empty-handed.…

Cross References
Exodus 13:2
“Consecrate to Me every firstborn male. The firstborn from every womb among the Israelites belongs to Me, both of man and beast.”

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.

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.

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

Romans 8:29
For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers.

Hebrews 12:23
in joyful assembly, to the congregation of the firstborn, enrolled in heaven. You have come to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,

Colossians 1:15
The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

1 Corinthians 15:20-23
But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. / For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. / For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. ...

Deuteronomy 21:15-17
If a man has two wives, one beloved and the other unloved, and both bear him sons, but the unloved wife has the firstborn son, / when that man assigns his inheritance to his sons he must not appoint the son of the beloved wife as the firstborn over the son of the unloved wife. / Instead, he must acknowledge the firstborn, the son of his unloved wife, by giving him a double portion of all that he has. For that son is the firstfruits of his father’s strength; the right of the firstborn belongs to him.

Genesis 4:4
while Abel brought the best portions of the firstborn of his flock. And the LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering,

Genesis 22:12-13
“Do not lay a hand on the boy or do anything to him,” said the angel, “for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your only son from me.” / Then Abraham looked up and saw behind him a ram in a thicket, caught by its horns. So he went and took the ram and offered it as a burnt offering in place of his son.

1 Samuel 1:11
And she made a vow, saying, “O LORD of Hosts, if only You will look upon the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, not forgetting Your maidservant but giving her a son, then I will dedicate him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall ever touch his head.”

1 Samuel 1:28
I now dedicate the boy to the LORD. For as long as he lives, he is dedicated to the LORD.” So they worshiped the LORD there.


Treasury of Scripture

All that opens the matrix is mine; and every firstling among your cattle, whether ox or sheep, that is male.

openeth

Exodus 13:2,12
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.

Numbers 18:15-17
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
Belongs Birth Born Cattle Child Cow First Firstborn First-Born Firstling Firstlings Flock Herd Including Livestock Male Males Matrix Offspring Openeth Opening Opens Ox Sanctify Sheep Whether Womb
Jump to Next
Belongs Birth Born Cattle Child Cow First Firstborn First-Born Firstling Firstlings Flock Herd Including Livestock Male Males Matrix Offspring Openeth Opening Opens Ox Sanctify Sheep Whether Womb
Exodus 34
1. The tablets are replaced
5. The name of the Lord proclaimed
8. Moses entreats God to go with them
10. God makes a covenant with them, repeating certain duties
28. Moses after forty days on the mount, comes down with the tablets
29. His face is radiant, and he covers it with a veil














The first offspring of every womb belongs to Me
This phrase emphasizes the principle of the firstborn's sanctity, rooted in the Exodus narrative where God spared the firstborn of Israel during the Passover (Exodus 12:12-13). It signifies God's claim over the first and best, symbolizing His sovereignty and ownership over all creation. The dedication of the firstborn is a reminder of God's deliverance and a call to acknowledge His provision and protection.

including all the firstborn males among your livestock
The specification of males highlights the patriarchal structure of ancient Israelite society, where males often held primary roles in inheritance and leadership. This command extends the principle of the firstborn beyond human offspring to livestock, which were vital to the agrarian economy of ancient Israel. Livestock were not only a source of food but also essential for sacrifices, trade, and labor.

whether cattle or sheep
Cattle and sheep were common domesticated animals in the ancient Near East, integral to the livelihood of the Israelites. This inclusion underscores the comprehensive nature of God's claim, covering all aspects of life and sustenance. The mention of these animals also connects to sacrificial practices, where firstborn animals were often offered to God as a sign of devotion and acknowledgment of His provision (Leviticus 27:26). This foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the "Lamb of God" (John 1:29), who is the firstborn over all creation (Colossians 1:15) and fulfills the sacrificial system.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites who received the law from God on Mount Sinai, including the commandment in Exodus 34:19.

2. Mount Sinai
The place where God gave Moses the Ten Commandments and other laws, including the laws about the firstborn.

3. Israelites
The people to whom the laws were given, who were to dedicate their firstborn to God as a sign of their covenant relationship.

4. Firstborn
Refers to the first offspring of both humans and animals, which were to be consecrated to God.

5. Livestock
Specifically mentioned in this verse, indicating the importance of dedicating the firstborn of cattle and sheep to God.
Teaching Points
The Principle of Dedication
The command to dedicate the firstborn underscores the principle that everything we have belongs to God. We are stewards of His creation.

Acknowledging God's Sovereignty
By dedicating the firstborn, the Israelites acknowledged God's sovereignty and His role as the ultimate provider and protector.

Symbol of Redemption
The dedication of the firstborn serves as a reminder of God's deliverance of Israel from Egypt, symbolizing redemption and pointing forward to Christ's redemptive work.

First Fruits in Our Lives
Just as the Israelites were to give their firstborn, we are called to give the "first fruits" of our time, talents, and resources to God.

Living as Consecrated People
As believers, we are called to live lives that are set apart for God, reflecting His holiness and purposes in our daily actions.(19) All that openeth the matrix is mine.--Comp. Exodus 13:12, where the sanctification of the firstborn and the law of redemption had already been declared. For the exact mode of redemption sanctioned, see Numbers 18:15-16.

Verses 19, 20. - All that openeth the matrix is mine, etc. This is a repetition of the command given in Exodus 13:12, 13, which had not been inserted in the "Book of the Covenant." It is again enjoined in Leviticus 27:26, 27. None shall appear before me empty. Repeated from Exodus 23:15.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The first offspring
פֶּ֥טֶר (pe·ṭer)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6363: That which separates or first opens

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

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

belongs to Me,
לִ֑י (lî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew

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

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

males
תִּזָּכָ֔ר (tiz·zā·ḵār)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 2142: To mark, to remember, to mention, to be male

among your livestock,
מִקְנְךָ֙ (miq·nə·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 4735: Something bought, property, livestock, acquisition

[whether] cattle
שׁ֥וֹר (šō·wr)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7794: A head of cattle (bullock, ox, etcetera)

or sheep.
וָשֶֽׂה׃ (wā·śeh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7716: A member of a, flock, a sheep, goat


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OT Law: Exodus 34:19 All that opens the womb is mine (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 34:18
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