Exodus 23:19
The first of the firstfruits of thy land thou shalt bring into the house of the LORD thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother's milk.
Original Language Analysis
רֵאשִׁ֗ית
The first
H7225
רֵאשִׁ֗ית
The first
Strong's:
H7225
Word #:
1 of 12
the first, in place, time, order or rank (specifically, a firstfruit)
תָּבִ֕יא
thou shalt bring
H935
תָּבִ֕יא
thou shalt bring
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
4 of 12
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
בֵּ֖ית
into the house
H1004
בֵּ֖ית
into the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
5 of 12
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יְהוָ֣ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
6 of 12
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ
thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
7 of 12
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
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
8 of 12
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תְבַשֵּׁ֥ל
Thou shalt not seethe
H1310
תְבַשֵּׁ֥ל
Thou shalt not seethe
Strong's:
H1310
Word #:
9 of 12
properly, to boil up; hence, to be done in cooking; figuratively to ripen
Cross References
Exodus 34:26The first of the firstfruits of thy land thou shalt bring unto the house of the LORD thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother's milk.Deuteronomy 14:21Ye shall not eat of any thing that dieth of itself: thou shalt give it unto the stranger that is in thy gates, that he may eat it; or thou mayest sell it unto an alien: for thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother's milk.Deuteronomy 26:10And now, behold, I have brought the firstfruits of the land, which thou, O LORD, hast given me. And thou shalt set it before the LORD thy God, and worship before the LORD thy God:Nehemiah 10:35And to bring the firstfruits of our ground, and the firstfruits of all fruit of all trees, year by year, unto the house of the LORD: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 26:2That thou shalt take of the first of all the fruit of the earth, which thou shalt bring of thy land that the LORD thy God giveth thee, and shalt put it in a basket, and shalt go unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose to place his name there.Revelation 14:4These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.Proverbs 12:10A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.Jeremiah 10:3For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.1 Corinthians 15:20But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
Historical Context
Boiling a kid in its mother's milk appears in Canaanite texts (Ugaritic literature) as a ritual practice. God's ban separated Israel from pagan fertility rites. The firstfruits offering celebrated harvest while acknowledging God as provider.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does God prohibit adopting pagan religious practices even if their meaning is forgotten?
- How does giving firstfruits demonstrate faith in God's provision for the rest?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The first of the firstfruits of thy land thou shalt bring into the house of the LORD thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother's milk.
Two commands:
The command bans syncretism—don't adopt pagan practices. Later Jewish tradition expanded this to complete separation of meat and dairy. The principle: God deserves first and best; pagan practices are off-limits. Firstfruits demonstrate trust—giving first without knowing what follows. Jesus is 'firstfruits of those who sleep' (1 Corinthians 15:20); the church is 'firstfruits of His creatures' (James 1:18). We give God our firsts because He gave His firstborn for us.