Exodus 34:20
But the firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb: and if thou redeem him not, then shalt thou break his neck. All the firstborn of thy sons thou shalt redeem. And none shall appear before me empty.
Original Language Analysis
וּפֶ֤טֶר
But the firstling
H6363
וּפֶ֤טֶר
But the firstling
Strong's:
H6363
Word #:
1 of 16
a fissure, i.e., (concretely) firstling (as opening the matrix)
תִּפְדֶּ֔ה
and if thou redeem
H6299
תִּפְדֶּ֔ה
and if thou redeem
Strong's:
H6299
Word #:
3 of 16
to sever, i.e., ransom; generally to release, preserve
וְאִם
H518
וְאִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
5 of 16
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
לֹ֥א
H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
6 of 16
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תִּפְדֶּ֔ה
and if thou redeem
H6299
תִּפְדֶּ֔ה
and if thou redeem
Strong's:
H6299
Word #:
7 of 16
to sever, i.e., ransom; generally to release, preserve
וַֽעֲרַפְתּ֑וֹ
him not then shalt thou break his neck
H6202
וַֽעֲרַפְתּ֑וֹ
him not then shalt thou break his neck
Strong's:
H6202
Word #:
8 of 16
to break the neck; hence (figuratively) to destroy
כֹּ֣ל
H3605
כֹּ֣ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
9 of 16
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
בָּנֶ֙יךָ֙
of thy sons
H1121
בָּנֶ֙יךָ֙
of thy sons
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
11 of 16
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
תִּפְדֶּ֔ה
and if thou redeem
H6299
תִּפְדֶּ֔ה
and if thou redeem
Strong's:
H6299
Word #:
12 of 16
to sever, i.e., ransom; generally to release, preserve
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
13 of 16
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יֵרָא֥וּ
And none shall appear
H7200
יֵרָא֥וּ
And none shall appear
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
14 of 16
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
Cross References
Exodus 13:13And every firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb; and if thou wilt not redeem it, then thou shalt break his neck: and all the firstborn of man among thy children shalt thou redeem.Exodus 23:15Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread: (thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it thou camest out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty:)Deuteronomy 16:16Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty:Exodus 13:15And it came to pass, when Pharaoh would hardly let us go, that the LORD slew all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man, and the firstborn of beast: therefore I sacrifice to the LORD all that openeth the matrix, being males; but all the firstborn of my children I redeem.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.
Historical Context
Donkeys were valuable work animals in ancient Israel but ritually unclean (Lev 11:3-4). Breaking the neck wasted the animal if unredeemed, motivating redemption. The principle that no one should appear before God empty-handed governed festival worship (Deut 16:16).
Questions for Reflection
- What does the redemption of the unclean donkey teach about Christ's substitutionary atonement?
- How do you 'appear before God' with thanksgiving and offerings rather than empty-handed?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Donkeys (חֲמוֹר, chamor), being unclean animals, could not be sacrificed but must be redeemed with a lamb or have their necks broken. The redemption price parallels human firstborn redemption—unclean man must be redeemed by a clean substitute (the Lamb of God, John 1:29). The command not to 'appear before me empty' requires bringing an offering, acknowledging God's provision and lordship.