Deu 15:19 | MHM | STEP | Deuteronomy 15:19-23: The Law of the Firstlings In this section, Moses repeats and explains the law about the firstborn animals of the Israelites’ herds and flocks. The first male animals were to be set apart for God as a reminder of how He spared the firstborn of Israel in Egypt. Moses also gives new guidance about what to do with female firstlings and with any animals that had defects. These rules help the people remember God’s kindness and teach them to honor Him with their best. v. 19 : All firstborn male animals were to be “sanctified to the Lord ” ( v. 19 ). This was to thank God for saving Israel’s firstborn in Egypt (Exod. 13:2, 15 ). The firstborn was given to God on the eighth day (Exod. 22:30 ), and it was shared between the altar and the priests (Num. 18:17, 18 ). Female firstlings were not to be used for work or sheared for wool. Even though they were not set apart in the same way as the males, they still belonged to God and were to be used for peace offerings or religious feasts, especially at the end of the year.

‏ Deuteronomy 15:19

Deuteronomy 15:19-23: The Law of the Firstlings

In this section, Moses repeats and explains the law about the firstborn animals of the Israelites’ herds and flocks. The first male animals were to be set apart for God as a reminder of how He spared the firstborn of Israel in Egypt. Moses also gives new guidance about what to do with female firstlings and with any animals that had defects. These rules help the people remember God’s kindness and teach them to honor Him with their best.

v. 19: All firstborn male animals were to be “sanctified to the Lord” (v. 19 ^a). This was to thank God for saving Israel’s firstborn in Egypt (Exod. 13:2, 15 ^b). The firstborn was given to God on the eighth day (Exod. 22:30 ^c), and it was shared between the altar and the priests (Num. 18:17, 18 ^d).

Female firstlings were not to be used for work or sheared for wool. Even though they were not set apart in the same way as the males, they still belonged to God and were to be used for peace offerings or religious feasts, especially at the end of the year.