Exodus 13:13 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Every firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb, or if you will not redeem it you shall break its neck. Every firstborn of man among your sons you shall redeem.

NIV: Redeem with a lamb every firstborn donkey, but if you do not redeem it, break its neck. Redeem every firstborn among your sons.

NASB: But every firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb, but if you do not redeem it, then you shall break its neck; and every firstborn among your sons you shall redeem.

CSB: You must redeem every firstborn of a donkey with a flock animal, but if you do not redeem it, break its neck. However, you must redeem every firstborn among your sons.

NLT: A firstborn donkey may be bought back from the Lord by presenting a lamb or young goat in its place. But if you do not buy it back, you must break its neck. However, you must buy back every firstborn son.

KJV: And 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.

NKJV: But 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 all the firstborn of man among your sons you shall redeem.

Israel has been told that when they enter the Promised Land (Exodus 13:11), they are to consecrate every firstborn to God (Exodus 13:1–2, 12). This applied to the first male born to a given woman or animal; this male was considered the Lord's. In the case of animals, this would mean sacrifice. Human firstborn were to be "redeemed" by sacrificing a lamb, instead. The prophet Samuel was a rare case where the firstborn was not kept with the family but instead fully given to God for a lifetime of service (1 Samuel 1:11, 26–28).

Donkeys were common and valuable animals in the ancient world. However, they were not suitable for sacrifice under the old covenant. Later laws will define donkeys as "unclean" for the purposes of food (Leviticus 11:2–4). This also meant they could not be sacrificed to God. Such animals were to be killed by breaking the neck, rather than the sacrificial process of bleeding.

Further instructions regarding redemption of sons is later given. Some instructions are related to the Levites shortly after the exodus (Numbers 3:40–48) and others are more general related to practices for future generations (Numbers 18:15–16).

Exodus 13:11–16 expands on the command to consecrate all firstborn of Israel to the Lord. Every male which is the first birthed by any person or animal is considered God's. Animals may be sacrificed, but persons and animals that are to be kept must be "redeemed" by sacrificing a lamb. This reminds Israel of God's work on their behalf (Exodus 12:29–32). It also emphasizes the need for sacrifice in order to be reconciled to God.

God reiterates the requirements of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Israel is to celebrate this every year as a way of remembering their liberation from Egyptian slavery. In addition, the people are to consecrate all of the first-born of any mother—both people and animals. Animals that cannot be sacrificed are to be redeemed. Sons are to be redeemed by an animal sacrifice. The Lord creates a column of clouds for the people to follow during the day, which is lit by fire so they can also follow it at night. This keeps them moving quickly. Soon, Egyptian soldiers will catch up to them and God will once again provide miraculous rescue (Exodus 14).

The Lord has just freed Israel from centuries of Egyptian slavery (Exodus 12). The final blow to Egypt was the death of all firstborn (Exodus 12:29–32) on the night of the first Passover (Exodus 12:12–13). God's guidelines for that night are partly repeated here along with directions for the Feast of Unleavened Bread. He instructs the nation about consecrating their own firstborn as He guides them. A column of fiery clouds helps the people travel day and night. This haste is important because Egypt's king is about to change his mind. He will soon send the Egyptian military to chase down the Israelites (Exodus 14).

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.