Exodus 13:12
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.
Original Language Analysis
וְהַֽעֲבַרְתָּ֥
That thou shalt set apart
H5674
וְהַֽעֲבַרְתָּ֥
That thou shalt set apart
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
1 of 14
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
כָל
H3605
כָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
2 of 14
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
פֶּ֣טֶר׀
all that openeth
H6363
פֶּ֣טֶר׀
all that openeth
Strong's:
H6363
Word #:
3 of 14
a fissure, i.e., (concretely) firstling (as opening the matrix)
לַֽיהוָֽה׃
shall be the LORD'S
H3068
לַֽיהוָֽה׃
shall be the LORD'S
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
5 of 14
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
6 of 14
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
פֶּ֣טֶר׀
all that openeth
H6363
פֶּ֣טֶר׀
all that openeth
Strong's:
H6363
Word #:
7 of 14
a fissure, i.e., (concretely) firstling (as opening the matrix)
בְּהֵמָ֗ה
of a beast
H929
בְּהֵמָ֗ה
of a beast
Strong's:
H929
Word #:
9 of 14
properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
10 of 14
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יִֽהְיֶ֥ה
H1961
יִֽהְיֶ֥ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
11 of 14
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
Cross References
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.Exodus 34:19All that openeth the matrix is mine; and every firstling among thy cattle, whether ox or sheep, that is male.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.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.Ezekiel 44:30And the first of all the firstfruits of all things, and every oblation of all, of every sort of your oblations, shall be the priest's: ye shall also give unto the priest the first of your dough, that he may cause the blessing to rest in thine house.Exodus 22:29Thou 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.Deuteronomy 15:19All 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.Numbers 8:17For all the firstborn of the children of Israel are mine, both man and beast: on the day that I smote every firstborn in the land of Egypt I sanctified them for myself.Numbers 3:12And 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;
Historical Context
This law created ongoing tribute to God for exodus deliverance. Firstborn animals were sacrificed; firstborn sons were redeemed with payment (Numbers 18:15-16).
Questions for Reflection
- How does dedicating 'all that openeth the womb' teach that God deserves the first and best, not leftovers?
- What does God's claim on the firstborn teach about His rightful ownership of everything you have?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The command to 'set apart unto the LORD all that openeth the matrix' uses the same verb (avar, עָבַר) as 'pass over'—dedicating firstborn to God. The phrase 'every firstling that cometh of a beast' extends to livestock. The declaration 'the males shall be the LORD's' specifies gender—males represented strength and primary value in agrarian culture. Giving firstborn/firstlings acknowledges God's ownership of all.