Éxodo 13:15

15 "Y aconteció que cuando Faraón se obstinó en no dejarnos ir, el SEÑOR mató a todo primogénito en la tierra de Egipto, desde el primogénito del hombre hasta el primogénito de los animales. Por esta causa yo sacrifico al SEÑOR los machos, todo primer nacido de la matriz, pero redimo a todo primogénito de mis hijos."

Éxodo 13:15 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 13:15

And it came to pass, when Pharaoh would hardly let us go
Showed great reluctance to it, and with difficulty was prevailed upon to dismiss them: that the Lord slew all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the
firstborn of men, and the firstborn of beast:
which he did in one night, making use of a destroying angel or angels for that purpose: therefore I sacrifice to the Lord all that openeth thee matrix, being
males;
that is, the firstborn of all clean creatures, as oxen, sheep, and goats: but all the firstborn of my children I redeem;
by paying five shekels apiece to the priest for them, as before observed; and this law continues to be observed with the Jews; the manner of which, as related by Leo Modena ^F9, is as follows,

``Thirty days being expired after the birth of the child, they call a priest to them; that is to say, one that is descended of the stock of Aaron, whom the father of the child pleaseth; and so, many people being gathered together at the time appointed, the father of the child bringeth before the priest, in a bowl or basin, a good quantity of gold and silver, and then they give him the child into his arms; the priest then calling the mother of it before him, saith unto her, mistress, is this your son? she answereth, yes; then, replies he, have you never had any child before, either male or female, or have miscarried anyone? she saith unto him, no; then doth the priest say, this child is mine, as being the firstborn; then turning himself toward the father, he asketh him, whether he will redeem it or not? who answereth him, saying, see, here is gold and silver, take your own price; then saith the priest unto him, you will redeem it then? the father answereth, I will redeem it; it shall be so then, saith the priest, this child is mine as being the firstborn, as it is written, ( Numbers 18:16 ) . I therefore take this in exchange and so he takes the sum of two French crowns, or thereabout, as he thinks good, and then delivers the child to his father and mother, and this day they make a feasting day.''

This custom was used in Christ's time, and was observed with respect to him, ( Luke 2:27 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F9 History of the Jews, par. 4. c. 9. sect. 2.

Éxodo 13:15 In-Context

13 Pero todo primer nacido de asno, lo redimirás con un cordero; mas si no lo redimes, quebrarás su cerviz; y todo primogénito de hombre de entre tus hijos, lo redimirás.

14 Y será que cuando tu hijo te pregunte el día de mañana, diciendo: "¿Qué es esto?", le dirás: "Con mano fuerte nos sacó el SEÑOR de Egipto, de la casa de servidumbre.

15 "Y aconteció que cuando Faraón se obstinó en no dejarnos ir, el SEÑOR mató a todo primogénito en la tierra de Egipto, desde el primogénito del hombre hasta el primogénito de los animales. Por esta causa yo sacrifico al SEÑOR los machos, todo primer nacido de la matriz, pero redimo a todo primogénito de mis hijos."

16 Será, pues, como una señal en tu mano y como insignias entre tus ojos; porque con mano fuerte nos sacó el SEÑOR de Egipto.

17 Y sucedió que cuando Faraón dejó ir al pueblo, Dios no los guió por el camino de la tierra de los filisteos, aunque estaba cerca, porque dijo Dios: No sea que el pueblo se arrepienta cuando vea guerra y se vuelva a Egipto.