Exodus 34:20

20 The firstborn of a donkey you must redeem with a lamb; if you won't redeem it, break its neck. All the firstborn of your sons you are to redeem, and 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 "Keep the festival of matzah by eating matzah, as I ordered you, for seven days during the month of Aviv; for it was in the month of Aviv that you came out from Egypt.

19 "Everything that is first from the womb is mine. Of all your livestock, you are to set aside for me the males, the firstborn of cattle and flock.

20 The firstborn of a donkey you must redeem with a lamb; if you won't redeem it, break its neck. All the firstborn of your sons you are to redeem, and no one is to appear before me empty-handed.

21 "Six days you will work, but on the seventh day you are to rest - even in plowing time and harvest season you are to rest.

22 "Observe the festival of Shavu'ot with the first-gathered produce of the wheat harvest, and the festival of ingathering at the turn of the year.