Exodus 34:20

20 You must redeem the firstborn of a donkey with a sheep, but if you do not redeem [it], break its neck. You must redeem all the firstborn of your sons. No one is to appear before Me empty-handed.

Exodus 34:20 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 34:20

Every firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem
This goes along with the former, (See Gill on Exodus 13:13):

and none shall appear before me empty;
at the grand festivals, the passover, pentecost, and tabernacles, (See Gill on Exodus 13:15).

Exodus 34:20 In-Context

18 "Observe the Festival of Unleavened Bread. You are to eat unleavened bread for seven days at the appointed time in the month of Abib as I commanded you. For you came out of Egypt in the month of Abib.

19 "The firstborn male from every womb belongs to Me, including all your male livestock, the firstborn of cattle or sheep.

20 You must redeem the firstborn of a donkey with a sheep, but if you do not redeem [it], break its neck. You must redeem all the firstborn of your sons. No one is to appear before Me empty-handed.

21 "You are to labor six days but you must rest on the seventh day; you must even rest during plowing and harvesting times.

22 "Observe the Festival of Weeks with the firstfruits of the wheat harvest, and the Festival of Ingathering at the turn of the [agricultural] year.