Luke 2:23

23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”[a] ),

Luke 2:23 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
English Standard Version (ESV)
23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord")
New Living Translation (NLT)
23 The law of the Lord says, “If a woman’s first child is a boy, he must be dedicated to the LORD .”
The Message Bible (MSG)
23 as commanded in God's Law: "Every male who opens the womb shall be a holy offering to God,"
American Standard Version (ASV)
23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord),
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
23 They did exactly what was written in the Lord's Teachings: "Every firstborn boy is to be set apart as holy to the Lord."
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
23 (just as it is written in the law of the Lord: Every firstborn male will be dedicated to the Lord )
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
23 In the Law of the Lord it says, "The first boy born in every family must be set apart for the Lord."(Exodus 13:2,12)

Luke 2:23 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 2:23

As it is written in the law of the Lord
In ( Exodus 13:2 ) ( Numbers 3:13 )

every male that openeth the womb, shall be called holy to the Lord;
that is, devoted and consecrated to him, and so to be redeemed. The reason of this law was this, when God smote all the firstborn of Egypt, he saved the firstborn of Israel; and therefore claimed a right to them, and obliged their parents, excepting the Levites, to redeem them at the price of five shekels, which were about twelve shillings and six pence of our money, and which was given to the Levites: see ( Exodus 13:12-15 ) ( Numbers 3:12 Numbers 3:13 Numbers 3:46 Numbers 3:47 ) ( Numbers 18:15 Numbers 18:16 ) And this law our Lord came under as Mary s firstborn, and as one holy to the Lord; and such a sum of money was now paid for his redemption, who was the great Redeemer of his people: he being made under the law, and in all things subject to it, that he might redeem them from the bondage, curse, and condemnation of it. Now as the tribe of Levi was excepted from this law, it is a clear case, that Mary, though allied to Elisabeth, was not of the tribe of Levi, otherwise her firstborn would not have been subject to it {y}.

``An Israelite that comes from a priestess, or from a she Levite, is free, (i.e. from the redemption of the firstborn;) for the thing does not depend on the father, but on the mother, as it is said, that openeth the womb in Israel.''


FOOTNOTES:

F25 Maimon. Hilch. Biccurim c. 11. sect. 10.

Luke 2:23 In-Context

21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.
22 When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord
23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord” ),
24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him.

Cross References 1

  • 1. Ex 13:2,12,15; Numbers 3:13

Footnotes 1

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