Números 18:15

15 Todo lo que abriere matriz en toda carne que ofrecerán al SEÑOR, así de hombres como de animales, será tuyo; mas has de hacer rescatar el primogénito del hombre; también harás rescatar el primogénito de animal inmundo

Números 18:15 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 18:15

Every thing that openeth the matrix in all flesh
The firstborn of every creature:

which they bring unto the Lord;
as they were obliged, he claiming it as his own, ( Exodus 13:2 ) ;

[whether it be] of men or beasts, shall be thine;
every firstborn of either, being the Lord's, became the priest's by his gift:

nevertheless, the firstborn of man shalt thou surely redeem;
that is, take the redemption price for it, which was five shekels, as in ( Numbers 18:16 ) ; for the original proprietor was, strictly speaking, the redeemer, and paid the money, and the priest was the receiver, to whom it was paid; see ( Exodus 13:13 ) ;

and the firstlings of unclean beasts shall thou redeem;
with lambs, as an ass, which is put for unclean beasts, is ordered to be redeemed with a lamb, or its neck to be broken, ( Exodus 13:13 ) ; the Africans, the shepherds among them, as Herodotus relates ^F11, of their firstlings they cut off the ear of the beast and throw it over a house, and then turn its neck back, for they worship only the sun and moon; which seems to be an imitation of this law.

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FOOTNOTES:

F11 Melpomene, sive, l. 4. c. 188.

Números 18:15 In-Context

13 Las primicias de todas las cosas de la tierra de ellos, las cuales traerán al SEÑOR, serán tuyas; todo limpio en tu casa comerá de ellas

14 Todo anatema en Israel será tuyo

15 Todo lo que abriere matriz en toda carne que ofrecerán al SEÑOR, así de hombres como de animales, será tuyo; mas has de hacer rescatar el primogénito del hombre; también harás rescatar el primogénito de animal inmundo

16 Y de un mes harás efectuar su rescate, el rescate será conforme a tu estimación, por el precio de cinco siclos, al siclo del santuario, que es de veinte óbolos

17 Mas el primogénito de vaca, y el primogénito de oveja, y el primogénito de cabra, no rescatarás; santificados son; la sangre de ellos rociarás sobre el altar, y quemarás la grosura de ellos, ofrenda encendida es para el SEÑOR en olor grato