Deuteronomy 15:19-23

The Firstborn Animals

19 Set apart for the LORD your God every firstborn male of your herds and flocks. Do not put the firstborn of your cows to work, and do not shear the firstborn of your sheep.
20 Each year you and your family are to eat them in the presence of the LORD your God at the place he will choose.
21 If an animal has a defect, is lame or blind, or has any serious flaw, you must not sacrifice it to the LORD your God.
22 You are to eat it in your own towns. Both the ceremonially unclean and the clean may eat it, as if it were gazelle or deer.
23 But you must not eat the blood; pour it out on the ground like water.

Deuteronomy 15:19-23 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO DEUTERONOMY 15

This chapter treats of a release of debts every seventh year, to which a blessing is promised if attended to, De 15:1-6, which seventh year of release should not hinder lending to a poor man in distress, even though it was nigh at hand, De 15:7-11 and of letting servants go free, whether manservant or maidservant, at the end of six years' servitude, De 15:12-15 but if unwilling to go, and desirous of staying, must have his ear bored through with an awl, and serve to the year of jubilee, De 15:16-18 and of sanctifying and eating the firstlings of the herd and flock where the Lord directs, De 15:19-23.

Cross References 9

  • 1. S Leviticus 27:9
  • 2. S Exodus 13:2
  • 3. S Genesis 4:4
  • 4. S Exodus 22:30
  • 5. S Leviticus 7:15-18; Dt 12:5-7,17,18; Deuteronomy 14:23
  • 6. S Exodus 12:5
  • 7. S Leviticus 22:19-25; Deuteronomy 17:1; Malachi 1:8,13
  • 8. S Deuteronomy 12:15; Deuteronomy 12:15,22
  • 9. S Genesis 9:4; Deuteronomy 12:16; Ezekiel 33:25
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