Exo 13:2 | NET2full | STEP | “ Set apart to me every firstborn male —the first offspring of every womb among the Israelites , whether human or animal ; it is mine.”

‏ Exodus 13:2

2 “Set apart ^{▼▼tn The verb “sanctify” is the Piel imperative of קָדַשׁ (qadash). In the Qal stem it means “be holy, be set apart, be distinct,” and in this stem “sanctify, set apart.”} ^{▼▼sn Here is the central principle of the chapter—the firstborn were sacred to God and must be “set apart” (the meaning of the verb “sanctify”) for his use.} to me every firstborn male—the first offspring of every womb ^{▼▼tn The word פֶּטֶּר (petter) means “that which opens”; this construction literally says, “that which opens every womb,” which means “the first offspring of every womb.” Verses 12 and 15 further indicate male offspring.} among the Israelites, whether human or animal; it is mine.” ^{▼▼tn Heb “to me it.” The preposition here expresses possession; the construction is simply “it [is, belongs] to me.”}