Deuteronomy 15:19

Consecration of Firstborn Animals

19 "You must consecrate to the Lord your God every firstborn male produced by your herd and flock.^[a] You are not to put the firstborn of your oxen to work or shear the firstborn of your flock.

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 take an awl and pierce through his ear into the door, and he will become your slave for life. Also treat your female slave the same way.

18 Do not regard it as a hardship when you set him free, because he worked for you six years-worth twice the wages of a hired hand. Then the Lord your God will bless you in everything you do.

19 "You must consecrate to the Lord your God every firstborn male produced by your herd and flock. You are not to put the firstborn of your oxen to work or shear the firstborn of your flock.

20 Each year you and your family are to eat it before the Lord your God in the place the Lord chooses.

21 But if there is a defect in the animal, if it is lame or blind or has any serious defect, you must not sacrifice it to the Lord your God.

Footnotes

• [a]. Lv 23:9-14