What is…
redemption of the firstborn
What does FIRSTBORN mean? Answer
What does REDEMPTION mean? Answer
From the beginning, the office of the priesthood in each family belonged to the eldest son. But when the extensive plan of sacrificial worship was introduced, requiring a company of men to be exclusively devoted to this ministry, the simple office of the first-born was superseded by that of the Levites (Numbers 3:11-13). It was then ordained that the first-born of man and of unclean animals should from then on be redeemed (18:15).
Redeeming the firstborn-son
The laws concerning this redemption of the first-born of man are recorded in Exodus 13:12-15; 22:29; 34:20; Numbers 3:45; 8:17; 18:16; Leviticus 12:2-4.
Firstborn-male animals
The firstborn-male of every CLEAN animal was to be given up to the priest for sacrifice (Deuteronomy 12:6; Exodus 13:12; 34:20; Numbers 18:15-17).
But the firstborn-male of UNCLEAN animals was either to be redeemed or sold, and the price given to the priest (Leviticus 27:11-13, 27).
The firstborn-male of a donkey (ass), if not redeemed, was to be put to death (Exodus 13:13; 34:20).
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