Deuteronomy 15:19

Male Animals That Are Born First to Their Mothers

19 Set apart to the LORD your God every male animal among your livestock that was born first to its mother. Don't put that kind of ox to work. Don't clip the wool from that kind of sheep.

Deuteronomy 15:19 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 15:19

All the firstling males that come of thy herd, or of thy
flock, thou shalt sanctify unto the Lord thy God
According to the law in ( Exodus 13:2 Exodus 13:12 Exodus 13:13 ) . (See Gill on Exodus 13:2); (See Gill on Exodus 13:12); (See Gill on Exodus 13:13);

thou shalt do no work with the firstling of thy bullock:
as to plough or tread out the corn with it, which were done with other heifers:

nor shear the firstling of thy sheep;
nor was the wool shorn of it to be made use of; one of the Jewish canons runs thus,

``if any man weave an hand's breadth of the wool of a firstling into cloth, the cloth is to be burnt ^F12.''

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FOOTNOTES:

F12 Misn. Orlah, c. 3. sect. 3.

Deuteronomy 15:19 In-Context

17 Then take him to the door of your house. Poke a hole through his ear lobe into the doorpost. And he will become your servant for life. Do the same with your female servant.

18 Don't think you are being cheated when you set your servants free. After all, they have served you for six years. The service of each of them has been worth twice as much as the service of a hired worker. And the LORD your God will bless you in everything you do.

19 Set apart to the LORD your God every male animal among your livestock that was born first to its mother. Don't put that kind of ox to work. Don't clip the wool from that kind of sheep.

20 Each year you and your family must eat them. Do it in the sight of the LORD your God at the place he will choose.

21 Suppose an animal has something wrong with it. It might not be able to see or walk. Or it might have a bad flaw. Then you must not sacrifice it to the LORD your God.