Numbers 8:17
For 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.
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 17
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
כָל
H3605
כָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
3 of 17
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
בִּבְנֵ֣י
of the children
H1121
בִּבְנֵ֣י
of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
5 of 17
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
6 of 17
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
בָּֽאָדָ֖ם
are mine both man
H120
בָּֽאָדָ֖ם
are mine both man
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
7 of 17
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
וּבַבְּהֵמָ֑ה
and beast
H929
וּבַבְּהֵמָ֑ה
and beast
Strong's:
H929
Word #:
8 of 17
properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)
בְּי֗וֹם
on the day
H3117
בְּי֗וֹם
on the day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
9 of 17
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הַכֹּתִ֤י
that I smote
H5221
הַכֹּתִ֤י
that I smote
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
10 of 17
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
כָל
H3605
כָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
11 of 17
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הִקְדַּ֥שְׁתִּי
I sanctified
H6942
הִקְדַּ֥שְׁתִּי
I sanctified
Strong's:
H6942
Word #:
15 of 17
to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)
Historical Context
The tenth plague (Exodus 11-12, circa 1446 BC) climaxed God's judgment on Egypt's gods. The death of Egypt's firstborn while Israel's were spared by lamb's blood established the Passover feast and the principle of firstborn consecration that drives Numbers 8.
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding yourself as 'redeemed property' shape your sense of autonomy and life purpose?
- What parallels exist between the Passover lamb's blood sanctifying Israel's firstborn and Christ's blood sanctifying believers?
- How should God's ownership claim on your life affect daily decisions and priorities?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
All the firstborn of the children of Israel are mine, both man and beast (כָּל־בְּכוֹר בִּבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל לִי הוּא בָּאָדָם וּבַבְּהֵמָה)—God's ownership claim rests on redemption history: on the day that I smote every firstborn in the land of Egypt I sanctified them for myself (קִדַּשְׁתִּי אֹתָם לִי). The verb קָדַשׁ (qadash, 'sanctified/set apart') transforms the Passover event from judgment into consecration. Egypt's firstborn died; Israel's firstborn lived but now belong to God.
This establishes a foundational biblical principle: redemption creates ownership. Those bought with blood become holy property (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). The tenth plague wasn't merely rescue but purchase—God acquired his people through substitutionary death, pointing forward to our redemption 'with the precious blood of Christ' (1 Peter 1:18-19).