Exodus 13 13

Exodus 13:13 kjv

And every firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb; and if thou wilt not redeem it, then thou shalt break his neck: and all the firstborn of man among thy children shalt thou redeem.

Exodus 13:13 nkjv

But every firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb; and if you will not redeem it, then you shall break its neck. And all the firstborn of man among your sons you shall redeem.

Exodus 13:13 niv

Redeem with a lamb every firstborn donkey, but if you do not redeem it, break its neck. Redeem every firstborn among your sons.

Exodus 13:13 esv

Every firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb, or if you will not redeem it you shall break its neck. Every firstborn of man among your sons you shall redeem.

Exodus 13:13 nlt

A firstborn donkey may be bought back from the LORD by presenting a lamb or young goat in its place. But if you do not buy it back, you must break its neck. However, you must buy back every firstborn son.

Exodus 13 verses

Exodus 13 13 Meaning

Exodus 13:13 lays out a specific directive concerning firstborns: an unclean firstborn animal, exemplified by a donkey, must be ransomed through the offering of a clean lamb as its substitute; if this redemption is neglected, the donkey must be killed by breaking its neck. Crucially, the verse then states that every firstborn son among the Israelites must invariably be redeemed. This command serves as a perpetual reminder of God’s decisive act of sparing Israel’s firstborn during the Tenth Plague in Egypt, reinforcing His absolute ownership and the fundamental principle of redemption through substitutionary atonement.

Exodus 13 13 Context

Exodus chapter 13 establishes the ongoing requirements and memorials linked to the liberation of Israel from Egypt. It opens with the command to consecrate all firstborn (human and animal) to God (v. 1-2) as a permanent reminder of the Exodus and the tenth plague. This chapter then elaborates on the Feast of Unleavened Bread (v. 3-10), emphasizing the swiftness of their departure. Verses 11-12 provide specific instructions for the firstborn of clean animals, stating they are to be given to the Lord. Verse 13 then introduces a crucial distinction regarding the firstborn of an unclean animal, the donkey, prescribing either redemption via a lamb or destruction, before re-emphasizing the mandatory redemption of human firstborn sons. This detailed legislation grounds Israel's identity in God's redemptive power and ownership, illustrating His holy nature and the means by which a people marked by sin can approach Him through substitution.

Exodus 13 13 Word analysis

• But (וְכֹ֖ל - vekhol): This translates to "and all" or "but all," serving to differentiate or qualify the preceding general rule of consecrating all firstborn (Exo 13:2, 12). It highlights the specific, distinct instruction for firstborn unclean animals.
• every firstborn (בְּכוֹר - bekhor): Literally "opener of the womb." It denotes the first offspring, typically implying special status, strength, and God's prior claim. This term resonates with the deliverance from the plague that struck Egyptian firstborn, signifying God's redemptive ownership.
• of a donkey (חֲמ֣וֹר - khamor): The donkey is specifically mentioned as an animal considered ceremonially unclean under Mosaic Law (Lev 11:7-8). As such, it cannot be offered as a direct sacrifice to the Lord. Its inclusion demonstrates the comprehensiveness of God's laws, extending even to working animals common in Israel.
• you shall redeem (תִּפְדֶּה - tifdeh / root פָדָה - padah): A core theological term meaning "to buy back," "ransom," or "liberate by payment of a price." This highlights the necessity of a substitute to fulfill a divine requirement or to effect deliverance, indicating a costly transfer of ownership or status.
• with a lamb (שֶׂ֥ה - seh): Refers to a young sheep or goat, which is a clean animal and commonly used for sacrifices and offerings in Israelite worship. The lamb serves as the specific substitute, representing purity and sacrifice taking the place of uncleanness, prefiguring the sacrificial Lamb of God, Jesus Christ.
• and if you will not redeem it (וְאִם־לֹ֥א תִפְדֶּ֖ה): This clause emphasizes that redemption is a required choice, not an option without consequences. It presents the severe alternative for non-compliance, stressing the absolute nature of God's command.
• then you shall break its neck (וַעֲרַפְתּ֖וֹ - va'arafto / root עָרַף - araf): This denotes a direct and final method of killing an animal that cannot be redeemed or offered to God. It prevents the unclean animal from defiling the people, becoming a substitute itself, or being consumed, signifying disqualification and the irreversible fate for that which is rejected by God.
• every firstborn of man (וְכֹל֩ בְּכ֨וֹר אָדָ֤ם - vekhol bekhor adam): This re-establishes the law for human firstborn, but distinctively, there is no "breaking the neck" option. This underscores the sanctity of human life and God's unique provision for human redemption, contrasting sharply with the treatment of unclean animals.
• among your sons (בָּנֶ֑יךָ - baneykha): Specifies male offspring. In ancient Israelite culture, the firstborn male held significant familial and religious status as the "strength" of the family, embodying lineage and inheritance, further magnifying the significance of their redemption.
• you shall redeem (תִּפְדֶּ֖ה - tifdeh): This repetition strongly emphasizes the mandate for redeeming human firstborn. Unlike the unclean animal, human firstborn must be redeemed, with no alternative of destruction, reflecting God's grace in providing a means for their sanctification and continued life.

Exodus 13 13 Bonus section

The concept of padah (redemption) presented in this verse is foundational to understanding the breadth of God's salvation. It teaches that freedom and rightful ownership are established through a payment. The contrast between the unredeemed donkey's fate and the non-negotiable redemption of human firstborn powerfully illustrates God's differentiated dealings with creation, placing humanity in a unique position under His mercy and covenant. The ritual here foreshadows the later appointment of the Levites, who were specifically designated to fulfill the service due from all Israelite firstborn sons (Num 3:11-13, 8:17-18). This transition reveals how God can accept a corporate substitution in lieu of individual obligation, extending the principle of redemption from specific persons to an entire priestly tribe.

Exodus 13 13 Commentary

Exodus 13:13 distills profound theological principles derived from God's act of liberation at the Exodus. The distinction between a clean animal that is directly sacrificed (implied from Exo 13:12) and an unclean animal like the donkey is crucial. The donkey, being unclean and thus unfit for an offering, still falls under God's claim on firstborn. Its necessary redemption by a clean lamb highlights substitutionary atonement—a pure sacrifice taking the place of the impure. The dire consequence for an unredeemed donkey—having its neck broken—illustrates that what cannot be made holy by substitution must be utterly removed from the presence of God's people, symbolizing disqualification. For human firstborn sons, however, there is only the option of redemption, with no alternative of death. This underscores the immense value God places on human life and His provision of a means for atonement and continued relationship. Ultimately, this command points to Jesus Christ as the supreme "Lamb of God" (Jn 1:29) who perfectly fulfilled the law's requirement by providing the ultimate sacrifice for our spiritual uncleanness, securing humanity's mandatory redemption through His blood.