Firstborn humans and animals were considered sacred and dedicated to God (Genesis 4:4; Exodus 13:1–2; Leviticus 27:26; Numbers 3:11–13; Deuteronomy 15:19–23). Among the clean animals, the firstborn male was to be sacrificed to God eight days after birth (Exodus 13:11–16; 22:39–30). Is God trying to tell us something? The firstborn males of unclean animals were either redeemed through a financial payment to the temple, replaced on the altar of sacrifice by a clean animal, or killed (Exodus 34:20; Numbers 18:14–16).
In the final plague against Egypt, God “passed over” the firstborn males of Israel, who were in their homes with the blood of a lamb as a sign on their doors as God had commanded. The firstborn Egyptian males, including the livestock, were struck down (Exodus 11—12:30).
According to the Law of Moses, the firstborn is entitled to receive a double portion of his father's inheritance (Deuteronomy 21:17) The nation of Israel is identified as God’s “firstborn” in the Bible (Exodus 4:22; Jeremiah 31:9) and held a special place of privilege and blessing among the nations.
After the Israelites settled in Canaan, the firstborn sons of all Israelites were to be redeemed as a sign they they belonged to God (Exodus 34:19; Numbers 18:14–16). The firstborn male was important because he was believed to represent the prime of human strength and vitality (Genesis 49:3; Psalm 78:51) as the “opener of the womb” (Exodus 13:2, 12, 15; Numbers 18:15; Luke 2:23). As the first born is dedicated to the Lord's service, isn't it strange that for Abraham, this blessing was not confered to Ishmael but to Issac both in the physical and spiritual world. Jacob was blessed even when he came in second.
Here is another twist.. The number of Levite males did not equal the full number of firstborns among the other tribes, so some of the firstborn from other tribes were redeemed with a financial offering to the priests (Numbers 13:46–48).
In the final plague against Egypt, God “passed over” the firstborn males of Israel, who were in their homes with the blood of a lamb as a sign on their doors as God had commanded. The firstborn Egyptian males, including the livestock, were struck down (Exodus 11—12:30).
According to the Law of Moses, the firstborn is entitled to receive a double portion of his father's inheritance (Deuteronomy 21:17) The nation of Israel is identified as God’s “firstborn” in the Bible (Exodus 4:22; Jeremiah 31:9) and held a special place of privilege and blessing among the nations.
After the Israelites settled in Canaan, the firstborn sons of all Israelites were to be redeemed as a sign they they belonged to God (Exodus 34:19; Numbers 18:14–16). The firstborn male was important because he was believed to represent the prime of human strength and vitality (Genesis 49:3; Psalm 78:51) as the “opener of the womb” (Exodus 13:2, 12, 15; Numbers 18:15; Luke 2:23). As the first born is dedicated to the Lord's service, isn't it strange that for Abraham, this blessing was not confered to Ishmael but to Issac both in the physical and spiritual world. Jacob was blessed even when he came in second.
Here is another twist.. The number of Levite males did not equal the full number of firstborns among the other tribes, so some of the firstborn from other tribes were redeemed with a financial offering to the priests (Numbers 13:46–48).
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