Exo 13:2 | NETfull | 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 ^{▼▼ 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.”} ^{▼▼ 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 ^{▼▼ 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.” ^{▼▼ Heb “to me it.” The preposition here expresses possession; the construction is simply “it [is, belongs] to me.”}