Deuteronomy 15 19

Deuteronomy 15:19 kjv

All the firstling males that come of thy herd and of thy flock thou shalt sanctify unto the LORD thy God: thou shalt do no work with the firstling of thy bullock, nor shear the firstling of thy sheep.

Deuteronomy 15:19 nkjv

"All the firstborn males that come from your herd and your flock you shall sanctify to the LORD your God; you shall do no work with the firstborn of your herd, nor shear the firstborn of your flock.

Deuteronomy 15:19 niv

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.

Deuteronomy 15:19 esv

"All the firstborn males that are born of your herd and flock you shall dedicate to the LORD your God. You shall do no work with the firstborn of your herd, nor shear the firstborn of your flock.

Deuteronomy 15:19 nlt

"You must set aside for the LORD your God all the firstborn males from your flocks and herds. Do not use the firstborn of your herds to work your fields, and do not shear the firstborn of your flocks.

Deuteronomy 15 verses

Deuteronomy 15 19 Meaning

Deuteronomy 15:19 commands the Israelite community to set apart every firstborn male animal from their cattle and flocks as sacred to the Lord. These consecrated animals were not to be put to common use; the firstborn ox was not to be worked, nor the firstborn sheep shorn. This law signifies God's ownership over all life and blessing, requiring Israel to acknowledge His supremacy through an offering of their initial and best produce.

Deuteronomy 15 19 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 15 addresses several laws pertaining to justice, generosity, and worship within the covenant community. It begins with the law of the sabbatical year for debt release (vv. 1-6) and calls for open-handed generosity towards the poor (vv. 7-11). It then shifts to the release of Israelite servants after six years (vv. 12-18), emphasizing their well-being. Verse 19 transitions to the specific religious obligation concerning the firstborn of cattle and sheep. This law connects to earlier commands in Exodus and Leviticus, re-emphasized for the new generation entering the land. Historically, the consecration of the firstborn was a memorial to God's redemption of Israel from Egypt, specifically His sparing Israelite firstborn while judging Egyptian firstborn (Exod 13:12-16). Culturally, this was a practice that acknowledged God as the ultimate provider and sovereign owner, setting Israelite worship apart from contemporary pagan fertility cults that sometimes demanded firstborn for destructive purposes, whereas Israel’s law intended these for sanctified communal eating before the Lord. It subtly reinforces monotheism and the specific nature of YHWH's holy demands.

Deuteronomy 15 19 Word analysis

• All (כֹּל, kol): Emphasizes totality and comprehensiveness. It indicates that this law applied universally to all eligible animals without exception, showing the complete dedication God demands.
• the firstborn males (בְּכֹור, bekor): This Hebrew term denotes the first offspring. The emphasis on "male" (זָכָר, zakhar) is significant as male animals were typically preferred for sacrifice and carried more symbolic weight for procreation and strength. "Firstborn" highlights the idea of "firstfruits" – giving God the best, the initial, as an acknowledgment of His ownership of everything that follows.
• of your herd (בָּקָר, baqar) and your flock (צֹאן, tzon): Refers to larger animals (cattle) and smaller animals (sheep/goats). This covers the primary livestock that constituted wealth and sustenance for an Israelite family, signifying that their entire livelihood was from God.
• you shall dedicate (תַקְדִּישׁ, taqdish): From the root קָדַשׁ (qadash), meaning "to make holy" or "set apart for sacred use." This is not merely an act of giving, but of transforming an object's status from common to holy, designating it exclusively for God.
• to the LORD your God (לַיהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ, l'YHWH Eloheykha): Specifies the divine recipient. "YHWH" (the covenant name of God) reinforces His personal relationship with Israel, and "your God" emphasizes the covenant obligations Israel has towards Him as their specific God.
• You shall do no work (לֹא תַעֲבֹד, lo ta'avod): Literally, "you shall not serve" or "work." This strong prohibition means the animal must not be used for labor or any profane activity that would generate personal profit or benefit for the owner. Its value becomes spiritual, not economic.
• with the firstborn of your ox (בְּבְכוֹר שׁוֹרֶךָ, bi-vekhor shorkha): Specifically targets cattle used for plowing, threshing, or drawing. Such work would desecrate an animal consecrated to God.
• nor shear (וְלֹא תָגֹז, v'lo tagoz): Specifically prohibits shearing the firstborn sheep. Wool was a valuable commodity, and shearing was a means of profit. This prohibition similarly prevents any personal gain from an animal dedicated to God.
• the firstborn of your flock (בְּכֹור צֹאנֶךָ, bekhor tzonkha): Reaffirms the rule for sheep/goats, indicating their fleece must not be commercially exploited.

Words-group analysis

• "All the firstborn males... you shall dedicate to the LORD your God": This phrase encapsulates the central command of sanctification and acknowledgement of divine ownership. It highlights the principle of giving God the "first and best," not as an obligation for favor, but as a recognition of His ultimate claim over all life and blessing, tied directly to the covenant relationship. This differentiates Israel's practice from pagan rituals that might destroy such offerings; instead, Israel’s dedicated animals were to be eaten in sacred fellowship before the Lord.
• "You shall do no work with... nor shear": These prohibitions emphasize the sacredness of the dedicated animal. Once it belongs to the Lord, it ceases to be personal property for utilitarian gain. This sets it apart, demonstrating that items consecrated to God are treated with unique reverence and are not to be exploited for personal economic advantage. This highlights a clear boundary between the sacred and the common, reinforcing the sanctity of God's portion.

Deuteronomy 15 19 Bonus section

The concept of the firstborn throughout scripture points ultimately to Christ. Just as the firstborn of animals was dedicated to the Lord as a sign of ownership and covenant, Jesus Christ is consistently portrayed as the "firstborn" – the firstborn of creation, the firstborn from the dead, and the firstborn among many brothers. This lineage signifies His ultimate authority, preeminence, and the unique position He holds in God's plan. The dedication of firstborn animals under the Old Covenant served as a shadow of the ultimate offering and sanctification represented by Jesus, the true "firstborn" through whom all of humanity's true dedication to God is made possible.

Deuteronomy 15 19 Commentary

Deuteronomy 15:19 establishes a profound theological principle: God’s ultimate ownership of all life and wealth. By requiring the consecration of the firstborn male animals, Israel was commanded to recognize that their productivity and sustenance flowed entirely from God’s hand. This act was a tangible expression of gratitude and trust, symbolizing that God deserved the "first and best" of all their increase, rather than what was left over. The explicit prohibitions against using these animals for labor or shearing them reinforced their distinct sacred status. These animals, once dedicated, transitioned from being economic assets to sacred offerings, signifying that they were solely for God's purposes, often to be eaten in communal worship before the Lord at the central sanctuary, fostering fellowship and remembrance of divine provision. This law not only commanded a specific ritual but cultivated a worldview centered on divine sovereignty and a lifestyle of grateful, separated living.