Deuteronomy 15:19
All the firstling males that come of thy herd and of thy flock thou shalt sanctify unto the LORD thy God: thou shalt do no work with the firstling of thy bullock, nor shear the firstling of thy sheep.
Original Language Analysis
כָּֽל
H3605
כָּֽל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
1 of 18
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁר֩
H834
אֲשֶׁר֩
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
3 of 18
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יִוָּלֵ֨ד
that come
H3205
יִוָּלֵ֨ד
that come
Strong's:
H3205
Word #:
4 of 18
to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage
בִּבְקָֽרְךָ֤
of thy herd
H1241
בִּבְקָֽרְךָ֤
of thy herd
Strong's:
H1241
Word #:
5 of 18
a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd
צֹאנֶֽךָ׃
and of thy flock
H6629
צֹאנֶֽךָ׃
and of thy flock
Strong's:
H6629
Word #:
6 of 18
a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)
הַזָּכָ֔ר
males
H2145
הַזָּכָ֔ר
males
Strong's:
H2145
Word #:
7 of 18
properly, remembered, i.e., a male (of man or animals, as being the most noteworthy sex)
תַּקְדִּ֖ישׁ
thou shalt sanctify
H6942
תַּקְדִּ֖ישׁ
thou shalt sanctify
Strong's:
H6942
Word #:
8 of 18
to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)
לַֽיהוָ֣ה
unto the LORD
H3068
לַֽיהוָ֣ה
unto the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
9 of 18
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ
thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
10 of 18
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
לֹ֤א
H3808
לֹ֤א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
11 of 18
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תַֽעֲבֹד֙
thou shalt do no work
H5647
תַֽעֲבֹד֙
thou shalt do no work
Strong's:
H5647
Word #:
12 of 18
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
וְלֹ֥א
H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
15 of 18
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תָגֹ֖ז
nor shear
H1494
תָגֹ֖ז
nor shear
Strong's:
H1494
Word #:
16 of 18
to cut off; specifically to shear a flock or shave the hair; figuratively to destroy an enemy
Cross References
Exodus 13:2Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast: it is mine.Exodus 13:12That 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.Deuteronomy 16:14And thou shalt rejoice in thy feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite, the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within thy gates.Deuteronomy 12:17Thou mayest not eat within thy gates the tithe of thy corn, or of thy wine, or of thy oil, or the firstlings of thy herds or of thy flock, nor any of thy vows which thou vowest, nor thy freewill offerings, or heave offering of thine hand:Leviticus 27:26Only the firstling of the beasts, which should be the LORD'S firstling, no man shall sanctify it; whether it be ox, or sheep: it is the LORD'S.Numbers 18:15Every 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.Numbers 18:17But the firstling of a cow, or the firstling of a sheep, or the firstling of a goat, thou shalt not redeem; they are holy: thou shalt sprinkle their blood upon the altar, and shalt burn their fat for an offering made by fire, for a sweet savour unto the LORD.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern cultures practiced firstborn dedication (sometimes human sacrifice, which God condemns—Leviticus 18:21). Israel's bloodless dedication of firstborn animals demonstrated God's claim on life without pagan brutality, foreshadowing Christ the ultimate Firstborn sacrifice.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'firstfruits' (first of time, money, energy) do you sanctify to God versus reserving for personal use?
- How does Christ as the 'firstborn' (Romans 8:29, Colossians 1:15) secure your adoption into God's family?
- In what areas are you tempted to 'work with' (exploit) what you've consecrated to God?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
All the firstling males that come of thy herd and of thy flock thou shalt sanctify unto the LORD thy God—The bekhor (בְּכוֹר, 'firstborn') belongs to God, echoing Passover: God spared Israel's firstborn while judging Egypt's (Exodus 11-12). Sanctifying (קָדַשׁ, qadash, 'to set apart as holy') the firstborn acknowledges all life originates from and belongs to God.
Thou shalt do no work with the firstling of thy bullock, nor shear the firstling of thy sheep—No economic exploitation of consecrated animals. They're withdrawn from utilitarian use, pointing to Christ, the firstborn among many brethren (Romans 8:29), who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God (Hebrews 9:14). The firstborn law trained Israel: God's holy things aren't tools but objects of worship.