Exodus 13:12

12 That thou shalt set apart unto the LORD all that openeth the matrix, and every firstling that cometh of a beast which thou hast; the males shall be the LORD'S.

Exodus 13:12 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 13:12

That thou shalt set apart unto the Lord all that openeth the
matrix
Or "the womb", as in ( Exodus 13:2 ) , and this phrase, "set apart", explains the word "sanctify" there, and shows that it signifies the separating of such to the use and service of God, causing it to "pass", as the word ^F4 here used signifies, from a man's own power and use, to be the Lord's only: and every firstling that cometh from a beast which thou hast;
or "even every firstling" ^F5, explaining what is meant by what opens the matrix or womb, even every firstborn of a beast; though Jarchi interprets it of an abortion, what comes before its time, that this also should be set apart to the Lord; this must be understood of the firstlings of clean creatures, fit for food and sacrifice, such as the firstlings of cows, sheep, and goats, ( Numbers 18:17 ) as distinguished from unclean ones in the following verse: the males [shall be] the Lord's;
which explains what sort of firstborn of man and beast were to be set apart for his use, not females, though the first that opened the womb; but males.

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FOOTNOTES:

F4 (trbehw) "et transire facies", Pagninus, Montanus, Fagius, Vatablus, Drusius, Cartwright; so Ainsworth.
F5 (rjp lkw) "etiam quicunque vel quicquid aperuerit", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Ainsworth.

Exodus 13:12 In-Context

10 Thou shalt therefore keep this ordinance in his season from year to year.

11 And it shall be when the LORD shall bring thee into the land of the Canaanites, as he sware unto thee and to thy fathers, and shall give it thee,

12 That thou shalt set apart unto the LORD all that openeth the matrix, and every firstling that cometh of a beast which thou hast; the males shall be the LORD'S.

13 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 .

14 And it shall be when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying , What is this? that thou shalt say unto him, By strength of hand the LORD brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage: