Log inSign up

Exodus 13 · a question people ask

Did God want Israel's firstborn sons sacrificed?

In the text

No. The chapter separates animals from sons. Firstborn male animals are the LORD's (13:12), but "you shall redeem all the firstborn of man among your sons" (13:13), and the father says, "all the firstborn of my sons I redeem" (13:15). The verb in "Sanctify to me all the firstborn" (13:2) is qadash; for this form Brown-Driver-Briggs gives "set apart as sacred, consecrate, dedicate". Later the LORD takes the Levites "instead of all the firstborn who open the womb among the children of Israel" (Numbers 3:12), and a firstborn son is redeemed "for five shekels of money" (Numbers 18:16).

The verses

““Sanctify to me all the firstborn, whatever opens the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of animal. It is mine.””
Exodus 13:2 · World English Bible
“that you shall set apart to the LORD all that opens the womb, and every firstborn that comes from an animal which you have. The males shall be the LORD’s. Every firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb; and if you will not redeem it, then you shall break its neck; and you shall redeem all the firstborn of man among your sons.”
Exodus 13:12-13 · World English Bible
“When Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the LORD killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man, and the firstborn of livestock. Therefore I sacrifice to the LORD all that opens the womb, being males; but all the firstborn of my sons I redeem.’”
Exodus 13:15 · World English Bible
““Behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel instead of all the firstborn who open the womb among the children of Israel; and the Levites shall be mine, for all the firstborn are mine. On the day that I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I made holy to me all the firstborn in Israel, both man and animal. They shall be mine. I am the LORD.””
Numbers 3:12-13 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Exodus 13

Exodus 13: It is mine

Israel's firstborn belong to the LORD because of the night he struck Egypt's firstborn, and the sons are redeemed, never sacrificed; this is the Hebrew Bible's first use of padah, "redeem". Jesus was presented as a firstborn under this law (Luke 2:22-23). God led his people the long way so they wouldn't see war and turn back, Joseph's bones went with them, and the pillar didn't leave.

In Favor, questions like this come up right where they arise as you read, with the Hebrew and Greek behind the words and how the chapter leads to Jesus.

Start your free weekExodus 13 Bible study

First week free, then $10 a month per person

More questions about Exodus 13

All questions about Exodus →

The best way to learn the Bible

Favor opens up every chapter as you read.

Favor is a Bible study app for your phone or computer. It takes you through the Bible one chapter at a time, a few minutes a day, and shows you what's really there: the words behind the words, the moments most people miss, and how the whole story fits together. For you. For everyone.

  • Every chapter explains itself

    As you read, short notes open up what's really going on, the details most readers walk past, and the honest questions people ask.

  • The Hebrew and Greek behind it

    Tap a highlighted word to see the original, how to say it, and what it means, checked against the original-language texts.

  • Every page leads to Jesus

    Watch promises made in Genesis kept in Jesus. Each line lights up on your map as you read.

  • Better together

    Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together.

  1. 1

    Start your free week

    Sign up in a minute with your email.

  2. 2

    Read a few minutes a day

    Each chapter opens itself up as you go. Tap what you're curious about.

  3. 3

    Bring your people, if you like

    Send one link. Everyone reads the same chapter, then meets to talk.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person

Questions like this, in every chapter

The best way to learn the Bible. For you. For everyone.

There's a seat for you at the table.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person · Log in

Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions