Numbers 18 17

Numbers 18:17 kjv

But the firstling of a cow, or the firstling of a sheep, or the firstling of a goat, thou shalt not redeem; they are holy: thou shalt sprinkle their blood upon the altar, and shalt burn their fat for an offering made by fire, for a sweet savor unto the LORD.

Numbers 18:17 nkjv

But the firstborn of a cow, the firstborn of a sheep, or the firstborn of a goat you shall not redeem; they are holy. You shall sprinkle their blood on the altar, and burn their fat as an offering made by fire for a sweet aroma to the LORD.

Numbers 18:17 niv

"But you must not redeem the firstborn of a cow, a sheep or a goat; they are holy. Splash their blood against the altar and burn their fat as a food offering, an aroma pleasing to the LORD.

Numbers 18:17 esv

But the firstborn of a cow, or the firstborn of a sheep, or the firstborn of a goat, you shall not redeem; they are holy. You shall sprinkle their blood on the altar and shall burn their fat as a food offering, with a pleasing aroma to the LORD.

Numbers 18:17 nlt

"However, you may not redeem the firstborn of cattle, sheep, or goats. They are holy and have been set apart for the LORD. Sprinkle their blood on the altar, and burn their fat as a special gift, a pleasing aroma to the LORD.

Numbers 18 verses

Numbers 18 17 Meaning

Numbers 18:17 prescribes that the firstborn of clean, sacrificial animals—cattle, sheep, and goats—are inherently holy to the Lord and cannot be bought back or substituted. Unlike firstborn humans or unclean animals, these particular animals are unequivocally designated for sacrifice. Their blood must be sprinkled on the altar, symbolizing the offering of life, and their fat must be burned as a food offering, producing a pleasing aroma to the Lord, indicating divine acceptance and consecration of the choicest parts.

Numbers 18 17 Context

Numbers chapter 18 defines the specific duties, responsibilities, and, crucially, the dedicated provisions for the priests and Levites. This section directly follows instructions regarding what constitutes the "most holy things" of the tabernacle. The verse sits within a passage (18:8-19) that enumerates the specific gifts and offerings from the Israelites that are set aside exclusively for the sustenance of the priestly line (Aaron and his sons). It meticulously differentiates between various types of offerings (firstfruits, vows, anathemas, various sacrificial portions) and how they are handled. Verse 17 precisely addresses the irredeemable nature of the firstborn of clean animals, distinguishing them from human firstborn (who must be redeemed by payment or sacrifice) and unclean animals' firstborn (who are redeemed or sold). This highlights a specific, higher degree of holiness and divine claim on these particular clean animals, necessitating their complete dedication as burnt offerings, with distinct parts given to God (blood, fat) and the priests (flesh, as noted in the subsequent verse, Num 18:18).

Numbers 18 17 Word analysis

• But (אַךְ - akh): A strong adversative particle, meaning "however," "nevertheless," or "only." It marks a clear contrast or exception to the preceding statements, specifically concerning the redemption of other firstborn discussed in Numbers 18:15-16. It highlights the unique status of these clean animals.
• the firstborn (בְּכוֹר - b'khor): Refers to the first male offspring that opens the womb. This term signifies priority, preeminence, and an initial claim by God based on the Passover event (Ex 13).
• of a cow, or the firstborn of a sheep, or the firstborn of a goat: The animals specified are domesticated, clean animals permissible for sacrifice. In Hebrew, these would be שׁוֹר (shor, bull/cow) and שֶׂה (seh, collective for a lamb/kid of a flock, encompassing both sheep and goat). They are central to Israelite sacrificial worship.
• you shall not redeem (לֹא תִפְדֶּה - lo tifdeh): Lo (not) and tifdeh (from padah, "to ransom" or "to buy back"). This is a direct, emphatic prohibition. Unlike other consecrated things (e.g., firstborn humans or unclean animals, cf. Num 18:15-16; Lev 27:27) which could be redeemed with payment or another sacrifice, these clean firstborn animals are absolutely dedicated to the Lord and must be sacrificed without substitution.
• they are holy (קֹדֶשׁ הֵם - kodesh hem): Kodesh signifies something set apart, sacred, consecrated, belonging exclusively to God. Their inherent holiness dictates that they are not for common use, but are divinely appointed for specific sacred rites. This holiness is intrinsic, not imputed.
• You shall sprinkle (תִּזְרֹק - tizrok): From zaraq, meaning "to toss," "to sprinkle." This refers to the specific priestly ritual of applying the blood by tossing or splashing it against the sides of the altar, not merely dropping it. It is a precise and crucial action in the sacrificial system.
• their blood (דָּמָם - damam): Blood symbolizes life (Lev 17:11). In the Levitical system, blood played the central role in atonement and purification rituals. Pouring or sprinkling it on the altar signifies the giving of the animal's life directly to God as an atonement or sanctifying act.
• on the altar (עַל־הַמִּזְבֵּחַ - al-hammizbe'ach): The altar of burnt offering, the designated place of sacrifice where consecrated animals were offered to God. It was considered most holy.
• and shall present (תַּקְטִיר - taktir): From qatar, meaning "to cause to smoke," "to offer incense," or "to burn a sacrifice." It indicates the action of burning the specified part on the altar so its smoke ascends.
• their fat (חֶלְבָּם - chelvam): Specifically the suet or internal layers of fat surrounding organs like the kidneys and entrails, and the fat tail of a sheep. This "choicest" fat was uniquely reserved for the Lord in offerings, considered the best portion (Lev 3:16).
• as a food offering (אִשֶּׁה - ishsheh): A generic term for an offering made by fire. It refers to a portion of the offering consumed by fire on the altar, metaphorically considered "food" for the Lord.
• a pleasing aroma (רֵיחַ נִיחֹחַ - reyach niachoaẖ): Reiach (smell, aroma) and nichoach (soothing, restful, pleasant). This phrase signifies God's acceptance and satisfaction with the offering. It's an anthropomorphism expressing divine pleasure in the correctly performed sacrifice and the spirit behind it.
• to the Lord (לַיהוָה - laYHWH): Emphasizes that these commands, animals, and rituals are directly intended for Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel, acknowledging His ownership and exclusive right.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "But the firstborn of a cow, or the firstborn of a sheep, or the firstborn of a goat": This distinct category emphasizes God's claim on the prime produce of pure animals used in sacrifice. It sets them apart from humans (redeemed) or unclean animals (redeemed or sold) demonstrating a layered understanding of "firstborn" in the Law.
• "you shall not redeem; they are holy": This phrase binds their unredeemable nature to their inherent holiness. Their sacredness means they cannot be reclaimed or substituted; they belong solely and entirely to the Lord for sacrificial purposes.
• "You shall sprinkle their blood on the altar and shall present their fat as a food offering": These two actions specify the core ritual for these particular firstborn sacrifices. The blood (life) and the choicest fat (best portion) are exclusively consecrated to the Lord through the burning on the altar, representing a complete dedication and life given.
• "a pleasing aroma to the Lord": This outcome signifies God's gracious acceptance and approval of the sacrifice performed according to His divine stipulations, highlighting His satisfaction with the Israelite's obedience and dedication.

Numbers 18 17 Bonus section

• Polemics against Paganism: This stringent requirement for the clean firstborn of cattle and flocks to be irrevocably sacrificed to Yahweh serves as an indirect polemic against surrounding pagan cults. Unlike various polytheistic deities to whom specific animals were offered, often without the strict handling of blood and fat, YHWH’s law insists on a precise and holy protocol, emphasizing His distinctness and absolute sovereignty over life and dedicated gifts. It also contrasts with pagan practices involving child sacrifice by clarifying that while the firstborn are consecrated, human firstborn are to be redeemed, never sacrificed, preventing abhorrent practices.
• Typological Significance: This verse profoundly prefigures Jesus Christ. As the ultimate "firstborn over all creation" (Col 1:15) and "firstborn from the dead" (Col 1:18), He represents the perfectly unblemished, holy, and unredeemable sacrifice whose lifeblood was poured out, and whose ultimate obedience was "a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God" (Eph 5:2). The animal sacrifices pointed forward to Him, unable themselves to truly atone, but establishing the principle of shedding of blood for remission of sins.

Numbers 18 17 Commentary

Numbers 18:17 crystallizes the concept of God's supreme ownership and demand for exclusive dedication, especially regarding the first and best of clean animals. It reinforces the theological distinction between those firstborn things that can be redeemed (humans and unclean animals) and those that are absolutely and irrevocably His for sacrifice. The verse outlines the precise liturgical actions: the blood, representing life and atonement, is to be poured out upon the altar, and the choicest fat, signifying the "best part," is to be burned, ascending as a "pleasing aroma" to God. This ritual signifies complete consecration and an offering of life and the choicest portion, demonstrating divine acceptance and setting a pattern for faithful worship. The rigidness of this command underlines God's unwavering holiness and His specific requirements for interaction with Him. This ultimately foreshadows the perfect and final "firstborn" sacrifice of Christ, who truly became the "pleasing aroma" to God through His complete offering (Eph 5:2).