Luke 2:23

23 (as yt is written in the lawe of the Lorde: every man that fyrst openeth the matrix shalbe called holy to the Lorde)

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.''

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FOOTNOTES:

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

Luke 2:23 In-Context

21 And when ye eyght daye was come yt the chylde shuld be circucised his name was called Iesus which was named of the angell before he was conceaved in the wombe.

22 And when the tyme of their purificacio (after the lawe of Moyses) was come they brought him to Hierusalem to present hym to ye Lorde

23 (as yt is written in the lawe of the Lorde: every man that fyrst openeth the matrix shalbe called holy to the Lorde)

24 and to offer (as it ys sayde in the lawe of the Lorde) a payre of turtle doves or two yonge pigions.

25 And beholde ther was a ma in Hierusalem whose name was Simeon. And the same ma was iuste and feared God and longed for the consolacion of Israel and the holy goost was in him.