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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Exodus 23:19 Bring the best of the firstfruits of your soil to the house of the LORD your God. You must not cook a young goat in its mother's milk.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/exodus/23-19.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/02_Exo_23_19.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Exodus 23:19 - Three Yearly Feasts" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Bring the best of the firstfruits of your soil to the house of the LORD your God. 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You must not cook a young goat in its mother’s milk.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/exodus/23.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />The first of the firstfruits of thy land thou shalt bring into the house of the LORD thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother's milk.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/exodus/23.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />The first of the firstfruits of your land you shall bring into the house of the LORD your God. You shall not boil a young goat in its mother’s milk.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/exodus/23.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“You shall bring the choice first fruits of your soil into the house of the LORD your God. “You are not to boil a young goat in the milk of its mother.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/exodus/23.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220You shall bring the choice first fruits of your soil into the house of the LORD your God. &#8220You are not to boil a young goat in the milk of its mother.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/exodus/23.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“You shall bring the choice first fruits of your soil into the house of the LORD your God. You are not to boil a kid in the milk of its mother.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/exodus/23.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“You shall bring the choice first fruits of your ground into the house of Yahweh your God. “You shall not boil a young goat in the milk of its mother.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/exodus/23.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“You shall bring the choice first fruits of your ground into the house of the LORD your God. “You shall not boil a young goat in its mother’s milk.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/exodus/23.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Bring the best of the firstfruits of your land to the house of the LORD your God. “You must not boil a young goat in its mother’s milk.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/exodus/23.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Bring the best of the firstfruits of your land to the house of the LORD your God.&#8221 You must not boil a young goat in its mother&#8217s milk.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/exodus/23.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />The first of the first-fruits of thy ground thou shalt bring into the house of Jehovah thy God. Thou shalt not boil a kid in its mother's milk.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/exodus/23.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Each year bring the best part of your first harvest to the place of worship. Don't boil a young goat in its mother's milk. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/exodus/23.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />The first of the firstfruits of thy ground thou shalt bring into the house of the LORD thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in its mother's milk.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/exodus/23.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"You must bring the best of the first produce harvested from your soil to the house of the LORD your God. "Never cook a young goat in its mother's milk.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/exodus/23.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"Each year bring to the house of the LORD your God the first grain that you harvest. "Do not cook a young sheep or goat in its mother's milk. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/exodus/23.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"You are to bring the best of the first fruits of your soil to the house of the LORD your God. "You are not to boil a young goat in its mother's milk."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/exodus/23.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The first of the firstfruits of your soil you must bring to the house of the LORD your God. "You must not cook a young goat in its mother's milk. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/exodus/23.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The first of the first fruits of your ground you shall bring into the house of the LORD your God. "You shall not boil a kid in its mother's milk.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/exodus/23.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />The first of the first-fruits of thy land thou shalt bring into the house of the LORD thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother's milk.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/exodus/23.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Bring the best of the firstfruits of your soil to the house of the LORD your God. You must not cook a young goat in its mother’s milk.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/exodus/23.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />You shall bring the first of the first fruits of your ground into the house of Yahweh your God. “You shall not boil a young goat in its mother’s milk. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/exodus/23.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />the beginning of the first-fruits of your ground you bring into the house of your God YHWH; you do not boil a kid in its mother’s milk.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/exodus/23.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> the beginning of the first-fruits of thy ground thou dost bring into the house of Jehovah thy God; thou dost not boil a kid in its mother's milk.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/exodus/23.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />The sacrifice of the first fruits of thy land thou shalt bring to the house of Jehovah thy God. Thou shalt not boil a kid in his mother's milk.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/exodus/23.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Thou shalt carry the firstfruits of the corn of thy ground to the house of the Lord thy God. Thou shalt not boil a kid in the milk of his dam. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/exodus/23.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />You shall carry the first grain of the land to the house of the Lord your God. You shall not cook a young goat in the milk of its mother.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/exodus/23.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The choicest first fruits of your soil you shall bring to the house of the LORD, your God. You shall not boil a young goat in its mother’s milk. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/exodus/23.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The choicest of the first fruits of your ground you shall bring into the house of the LORD your God. You shall not boil a kid in its mother’s milk.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/exodus/23.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />The best of the first fruits of your land you shall bring into the house of the LORD your God. You shall not cook the meat of a kid in its mother's milk.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/exodus/23.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />The beginning of the harvests of your land you shall bring to the house of LORD JEHOVAH your God; you shall not boil a goat in the milk of its mother.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/exodus/23.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />The choicest first-fruits of thy land thou shalt bring into the house of the LORD thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in its mother's milk.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/exodus/23.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Thou shalt bring the first-offerings of the first-fruits of thy land into the house of the Lord thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a lamb in its mother's milk.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/exodus/23-19.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kVae3PiKqhs?start=5889" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/exodus/23.htm">Three Yearly Feasts</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">18</span>You must not offer the blood of My sacrifices with anything leavened, nor may the fat of My feast remain until morning. <span class="reftext">19</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: tā·ḇî (V-Hifil-Imperf-2ms) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">Bring</a> <a href="/hebrew/7225.htm" title="7225: rê·šîṯ (N-fsc) -- Beginning, chief. From the same as ro'sh; the first, in place, time, order or rank.">the best</a> <a href="/hebrew/1061.htm" title="1061: bik·kū·rê (N-mpc) -- First fruits. From bakar; the first-fruits of the crop.">of the firstfruits</a> <a href="/hebrew/127.htm" title="127: ’aḏ·mā·ṯə·ḵā (N-fsc:: 2ms) -- Ground, land. From 'adam; soil.">of your soil</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: bêṯ (N-msc) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">to the house</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">of the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā (N-mpc:: 2ms) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">your God.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">You must not</a> <a href="/hebrew/1310.htm" title="1310: ṯə·ḇaš·šêl (V-Piel-Imperf-2ms) -- To boil, seethe, grow ripe. A primitive root; properly, to boil up; hence, to be done in cooking; figuratively to ripen.">cook</a> <a href="/hebrew/1423.htm" title="1423: gə·ḏî (N-ms) -- A kid (a young goat). From the same as gadah; a young goat.">a young goat</a> <a href="/hebrew/517.htm" title="517: ’im·mōw (N-fsc:: 3ms) -- A mother. A primitive word; a mother; in a wide sense (like 'ab).">in its mother’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/2461.htm" title="2461: ba·ḥă·lêḇ (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- Milk. From the same as cheleb; milk.">milk.</a> </span><div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/26-2.htm">Deuteronomy 26:2</a></span><br />you are to take some of the firstfruits of all your produce from the soil of the land that the LORD your God is giving you and put them in a basket. Then go to the place the LORD your God will choose as a dwelling for His Name,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/14-22.htm">Deuteronomy 14:22-23</a></span><br />You must be sure to set aside a tenth of all the produce brought forth each year from your fields. / And you are to eat a tenth of your grain, new wine, and oil, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks, in the presence of the LORD your God at the place He will choose as a dwelling for His Name, so that you may learn to fear the LORD your God always.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/23-10.htm">Leviticus 23:10-11</a></span><br />“Speak to the Israelites and say, ‘When you enter the land that I am giving you and you reap its harvest, you are to bring to the priest a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest. / And he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD so that it may be accepted on your behalf; the priest is to wave it on the day after the Sabbath.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/18-12.htm">Numbers 18:12-13</a></span><br />I give you all the freshest olive oil and all the finest new wine and grain that the Israelites give to the LORD as their firstfruits. / The firstfruits of everything in their land that they bring to the LORD will belong to you. Every ceremonially clean person in your household may eat them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/10-35.htm">Nehemiah 10:35-37</a></span><br />We will also bring the firstfruits of our land and of every fruit tree to the house of the LORD year by year. / And we will bring the firstborn of our sons and our livestock, as it is written in the Law, and will bring the firstborn of our herds and flocks to the house of our God, to the priests who minister in the house of our God. / Moreover, we will bring to the priests at the storerooms of the house of our God the firstfruits of our dough, of our grain offerings, of the fruit of all our trees, and of our new wine and oil. A tenth of our produce belongs to the Levites, so that they shall receive tithes in all the towns where we labor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/3-9.htm">Proverbs 3:9-10</a></span><br />Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your crops; / then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/31-5.htm">2 Chronicles 31:5</a></span><br />As soon as the order went out, the Israelites generously provided the firstfruits of the grain, new wine, oil, and honey, and of all the produce of the field, and they brought in an abundance—a tithe of everything.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/2-12.htm">Leviticus 2:12</a></span><br />You may bring them to the LORD as an offering of firstfruits, but they must not go up on the altar as a pleasing aroma.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/18-4.htm">Deuteronomy 18:4</a></span><br />You are to give them the firstfruits of your grain, new wine, and oil, and the first wool sheared from your flock.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/44-30.htm">Ezekiel 44:30</a></span><br />The best of all the firstfruits and of every contribution from all your offerings will belong to the priests. You are to give your first batch of dough to the priest, so that a blessing may rest upon your homes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/malachi/3-10.htm">Malachi 3:10</a></span><br />Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house. Test Me in this,” says the LORD of Hosts. “See if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour out for you blessing without measure.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/4-3.htm">Genesis 4:3-4</a></span><br />So in the course of time, Cain brought some of the fruit of the soil as an offering to the LORD, / while Abel brought the best portions of the firstborn of his flock. And the LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-23.htm">Matthew 23:23</a></span><br />Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin. But you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/11-42.htm">Luke 11:42</a></span><br />Woe to you Pharisees! For you pay tithes of mint, rue, and every herb, but you disregard justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without neglecting the former.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/11-16.htm">Romans 11:16</a></span><br />If the first part of the dough is holy, so is the whole batch; if the root is holy, so are the branches.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">The first of the first fruits of your land you shall bring into the house of the LORD your God. You shall not seethe a kid in his mother's milk.</p><p class="hdg">first of the</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/22-29.htm">Exodus 22:29</a></b></br> Thou shalt not delay <i>to offer</i> the first of thy ripe fruits, and of thy liquors: the firstborn of thy sons shalt thou give unto me.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/34-26.htm">Exodus 34:26</a></b></br> The first of the firstfruits of thy land thou shalt bring unto the house of the LORD thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother's milk.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/23-10.htm">Leviticus 23:10-17</a></b></br> Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest: … </p><p class="hdg">Thou shalt not seethe a kid.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/34-26.htm">Exodus 34:26</a></b></br> The first of the firstfruits of thy land thou shalt bring unto the house of the LORD thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother's milk.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/14-21.htm">Deuteronomy 14:21</a></b></br> Ye shall not eat <i>of</i> any thing that dieth of itself: thou shalt give it unto the stranger that <i>is</i> in thy gates, that he may eat it; or thou mayest sell it unto an alien: for thou <i>art</i> an holy people unto the LORD thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother's milk.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/12-10.htm">Proverbs 12:10</a></b></br> A righteous <i>man</i> regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked <i>are</i> cruel.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/exodus/12-2.htm">Beginning</a> <a href="/exodus/22-5.htm">Best</a> <a href="/exodus/16-23.htm">Boil</a> <a href="/exodus/15-4.htm">Choice</a> <a href="/exodus/15-4.htm">Choicest</a> <a href="/zechariah/14-21.htm">Cook</a> <a href="/exodus/23-16.htm">First</a> <a href="/exodus/23-16.htm">Firstfruits</a> <a href="/exodus/23-16.htm">First-Fruits</a> <a href="/exodus/23-16.htm">Fruits</a> <a href="/genesis/38-23.htm">Goat</a> <a href="/exodus/20-12.htm">Ground</a> <a href="/exodus/22-8.htm">House</a> <a href="/genesis/38-23.htm">Kid</a> <a href="/exodus/13-5.htm">Milk</a> <a href="/exodus/22-30.htm">Mother</a> <a href="/exodus/13-12.htm">Mother's</a> <a href="/exodus/16-23.htm">Seethe</a> <a href="/genesis/47-20.htm">Soil</a> <a href="/exodus/22-30.htm">Young</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/leviticus/23-32.htm">Beginning</a> <a href="/exodus/25-4.htm">Best</a> <a href="/exodus/29-31.htm">Boil</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-11.htm">Choice</a> <a href="/exodus/34-26.htm">Choicest</a> <a href="/exodus/29-31.htm">Cook</a> <a href="/exodus/25-35.htm">First</a> <a href="/exodus/34-22.htm">Firstfruits</a> <a href="/exodus/34-22.htm">First-Fruits</a> <a href="/exodus/28-33.htm">Fruits</a> <a href="/exodus/25-4.htm">Goat</a> <a href="/exodus/32-20.htm">Ground</a> <a href="/exodus/25-9.htm">House</a> <a href="/exodus/34-26.htm">Kid</a> <a href="/exodus/33-3.htm">Milk</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-7.htm">Mother</a> <a href="/exodus/34-26.htm">Mother's</a> <a href="/exodus/29-31.htm">Seethe</a> <a href="/exodus/34-26.htm">Soil</a> <a href="/exodus/23-26.htm">Young</a><div class="vheading2">Exodus 23</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-1.htm">Of slander, false witness, and partiality</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-4.htm">Of charitableness</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-6.htm">Of justice in judgment</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-8.htm">Of taking bribes</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-9.htm">Of oppressing a stranger</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-10.htm">Of the year of rest</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-12.htm">Of the Sabbath</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-13.htm">Of idolatry</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-14.htm">Of the three feasts</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-18.htm">Of the blood and the fat of the sacrifice</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-20.htm">An angel is promised, with a blessing, if they obey him</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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The concept of firstfruits is deeply rooted in the agricultural society of ancient Israel, where the first yield of the harvest was seen as a sign of God's blessing. Offering the firstfruits was an act of faith, trusting that God would provide for the rest of the harvest. This practice is connected to the broader biblical theme of giving God the first and best, as seen in <a href="/proverbs/3-9.htm">Proverbs 3:9-10</a>, which encourages honoring the Lord with one's wealth and the firstfruits of all produce. The "house of the LORD" refers to the tabernacle, and later the temple, as the central place of worship and sacrifice. This offering was a way to support the Levitical priesthood and maintain the worship system established by God. Theologically, the firstfruits can be seen as a type of Christ, who is described as the "firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep" in <a href="/1_corinthians/15-20.htm">1 Corinthians 15:20</a>, symbolizing His resurrection as the first of many to come.<p><b>You must not cook a young goat in its mother’s milk.</b><br>This prohibition is one of the more enigmatic commands in the Old Testament. It is repeated in <a href="/exodus/34-26.htm">Exodus 34:26</a> and <a href="/deuteronomy/14-21.htm">Deuteronomy 14:21</a>, indicating its importance. Historically, some scholars suggest this command was given to prevent Israelites from adopting pagan Canaanite rituals, as cooking a young goat in its mother's milk may have been a fertility rite. Culturally, this command underscores the principle of separation and holiness that God required of His people, distinguishing them from surrounding nations. Theologically, it reflects a sensitivity to the natural order and the nurturing relationship between a mother and her offspring, which should not be violated. This command has also been foundational in Jewish dietary laws, leading to the separation of meat and dairy in kosher practices. While the specific reason for this command is not explicitly stated, it serves as a reminder of the broader call to holiness and obedience to God's instructions.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a></b><br>The recipients of the law given by God through Moses. They are the covenant people of God, called to live according to His statutes.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_house_of_the_lord.htm">The House of the LORD</a></b><br>Refers to the tabernacle, and later the temple, where God’s presence dwelt among His people and where they were to bring their offerings.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/f/firstfruits.htm">Firstfruits</a></b><br>The initial yield of the harvest, representing the best and the first portion of what God has provided. It symbolizes gratitude and trust in God's provision.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/y/young_goat.htm">Young Goat</a></b><br>Represents the broader category of sacrificial animals, and the specific prohibition against cooking it in its mother's milk is a command to maintain purity and separation from pagan practices.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The leader and prophet through whom God delivered the law to the Israelites, including this commandment.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/h/honoring_god_with_our_best.htm">Honoring God with Our Best</a></b><br>Just as the Israelites were commanded to bring the best of their firstfruits, we are called to offer God the best of our time, talents, and resources. This reflects our gratitude and trust in His provision.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/separation_from_pagan_practices.htm">Separation from Pagan Practices</a></b><br>The prohibition against cooking a young goat in its mother's milk serves as a reminder to avoid adopting practices that are contrary to God's commands. We are called to live distinctively as God's people.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_provision.htm">Trust in God's Provision</a></b><br>Offering the firstfruits requires faith that God will continue to provide. This principle encourages us to trust God with our needs and to prioritize Him in our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/symbolism_of_firstfruits.htm">Symbolism of Firstfruits</a></b><br>The concept of firstfruits is a powerful symbol of dedication and consecration. It challenges us to examine what we prioritize and how we can dedicate the first and best of our lives to God.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_exodus_23.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Exodus 23</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_for_exodus_23_19_practice.htm">Is there any historical evidence that supports the practice forbidden in Exodus 23:19 regarding boiling a kid in its mother’s milk? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_are_firstfruits_to_god.htm">What are Firstfruits to God?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_offer_firstfruits_to_god.htm">What is the significance of offering firstfruits to God?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_separate_meat_and_dairy_in_judaism.htm">Why do Jews keep meat and dairy separate?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/exodus/23.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(19) <span class= "bld">The first of the firstfruits</span>--<span class= "ital">i.e., </span>the <span class= "ital">very </span>first that ripen. There was a natural tendency to "delay" the offering (<a href="/exodus/22-29.htm" title="You shall not delay to offer the first of your ripe fruits, and of your liquors: the firstborn of your sons shall you give to me.">Exodus 22:29</a>) until a considerable part of the harvest had been got in. True gratitude makes a return for benefits received as soon as it, can. "<span class= "ital">Bis dat qui cito dat."</span><p><span class= "bld">The house of the Lord. </span>Comp. <a href="/exodus/34-26.htm" title="The first of the first fruits of your land you shall bring to the house of the LORD your God. You shall not seethe a kid in his mother's milk.">Exodus 34:26</a> and <a href="/deuteronomy/23-18.htm" title="You shall not bring the hire of a whore, or the price of a dog, into the house of the LORD your God for any vow: for even both these are abomination to the LORD your God.">Deuteronomy 23:18</a>. It is known to Moses that the "place which God will choose to put his name there" is to be a "house," or "temple."<p><span class= "bld">Thou shalt not seethe a kid.</span>--A fanciful exegesis connects the four precepts of <a href="/context/exodus/23-18.htm" title="You shall not offer the blood of my sacrifice with leavened bread; neither shall the fat of my sacrifice remain until the morning.">Exodus 23:18-19</a> with the three feasts--the two of <a href="/exodus/23-18.htm" title="You shall not offer the blood of my sacrifice with leavened bread; neither shall the fat of my sacrifice remain until the morning.">Exodus 23:18</a> with the Paschal festival, that concerning firstfruits in <a href="/exodus/23-19.htm" title="The first of the first fruits of your land you shall bring into the house of the LORD your God. You shall not seethe a kid in his mother's milk.">Exodus 23:19</a> with the feast of ingathering, and this concerning kids with the feast of tabernacles. To support this theory it is suggested that the command has reference to a superstitious practice customary at the close of the harvest--a kid being then boiled in its mother's milk with magic rites, and the milk used to sprinkle plantations, fields, and gardens, in order to render them more productive the next year. But <a href="/deuteronomy/14-21.htm" title="You shall not eat of anything that dies of itself: you shall give it to the stranger that is in your gates, that he may eat it; or you may sell it to an alien: for you are an holy people to the LORD your God. You shall not seethe a kid in his mother's milk.">Deuteronomy 14:21</a>, which attaches the precept to a list of unclean meats, is sufficient to show that the kid spoken of was boiled to be eaten. The best explanation of the passage is that of Bochart (<span class= "ital">Hierozoic. </span>pt. 1, bk. 2, Exo. 52), that there was a sort of cruelty in making the milk of the mother, intended for the kid's sustenance, the means of its destruction. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/23.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 19.</span> - <span class="accented">Law of first-fruits</span>. <span class="cmt_word">The first of the first-fruits</span> may mean either "the best of the first-fruits" (see <a href="/numbers/18-12.htm">Numbers 18:12</a>), or "the very first of each kind that is ripe" (<span class="accented">ib</span>, verse 13). On the tendency to delay, and not bring the very first, see the comment on Exodus 22:29. <span class="cmt_word">The house of the Lord</span>. Generally, in the Pentateuch we have the periphrasis" the place which the Lord thy God shall choose to put his name there" (<a href="/deuteronomy/12-5.htm">Deuteronomy 12:5, 11, 14</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/16-16.htm">Deuteronomy 16:16</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/26-2.htm">Deuteronomy 26:2</a>, etc.); but here, and in <a href="/exodus/34-26.htm">Exodus 34:26</a>, and again in <a href="/deuteronomy/23-18.htm">Deuteronomy 23:18</a>, this "place" is plainly declared to be a "house" or "temple." <span class="accented">Law against seething a kid in the mother's milk</span>. The outline of law put before the Israelites in the "Book of the Covenant" terminated with this remarkable prohibition. Its importance is shown - <p><span class="Text_Heading">1.</span> By its place here; and <p><span class="Text_Heading">2.</span> By its being thrice repeated in the law of Moses (see <a href="/exodus/34-26.htm">Exodus 34:26</a>; and <a href="/deuteronomy/14-21.htm">Deuteronomy 14:21</a>). Various explanations have been given of it; but none is saris-factory, except that which views it as "a protest against cruelty, and outraging the order of nature," more especially that peculiarly sacred portion of nature's order, the tender relation between parent and child, mother and suckling. No doubt the practice existed. Kids were thought to be most palatable when boiled in milk; and the mother's milk was frequently the readiest to obtain. But in this way the mother was made a sort of accomplice in the death of her child, which men were induced to kill on account of the flavour that her milk gave it. Reason has nothing to say against such a mode of preparing food, but feeling revolts from it; and the general sense of civilised mankind reechoes the precept, which is capable of a wide application - <span class="cmt_word">Thou shalt not seethe a kind in his mother's milk.</span> <p> CHAPTER 23:20-31 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/exodus/23-19.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Bring</span><br /><span class="heb">תָּבִ֕יא</span> <span class="translit">(tā·ḇî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come in, come, go in, go</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the best</span><br /><span class="heb">רֵאשִׁ֗ית</span> <span class="translit">(rê·šîṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7225.htm">Strong's 7225: </a> </span><span class="str2">The first, in place, time, order, rank</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the firstfruits</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּכּוּרֵי֙</span> <span class="translit">(bik·kū·rê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1061.htm">Strong's 1061: </a> </span><span class="str2">The first-fruits of the crop</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of your soil</span><br /><span class="heb">אַדְמָ֣תְךָ֔</span> <span class="translit">(’aḏ·mā·ṯə·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_127.htm">Strong's 127: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ground, land</span><br /><br /><span class="word">into the house</span><br /><span class="heb">בֵּ֖ית</span> <span class="translit">(bêṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> </span><span class="str2">A house</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your God.</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><br /><span class="word">You must not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹֽא־</span> <span class="translit">(lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">cook</span><br /><span class="heb">תְבַשֵּׁ֥ל</span> <span class="translit">(ṯə·ḇaš·šêl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1310.htm">Strong's 1310: </a> </span><span class="str2">To boil up, cooking, to ripen</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a young goat</span><br /><span class="heb">גְּדִ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(gə·ḏî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1423.htm">Strong's 1423: </a> </span><span class="str2">A kid (a young goat)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in its mother’s</span><br /><span class="heb">אִמּֽוֹ׃</span> <span class="translit">(’im·mōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_517.htm">Strong's 517: </a> </span><span class="str2">A mother, )</span><br /><br /><span class="word">milk.</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּחֲלֵ֥ב</span> <span class="translit">(ba·ḥă·lêḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2461.htm">Strong's 2461: </a> </span><span class="str2">Milk</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/23-19.htm">Exodus 23:19 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/exodus/23-19.htm">Exodus 23:19 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/exodus/23-19.htm">Exodus 23:19 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/exodus/23-19.htm">Exodus 23:19 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/exodus/23-19.htm">Exodus 23:19 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/23-19.htm">Exodus 23:19 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/23-19.htm">Exodus 23:19 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/23-19.htm">Exodus 23:19 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/23-19.htm">Exodus 23:19 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/exodus/23-19.htm">Exodus 23:19 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/exodus/23-19.htm">OT Law: Exodus 23:19 The first of the first fruits (Exo. Ex) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/exodus/23-18.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Exodus 23:18"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Exodus 23:18" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/exodus/23-20.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Exodus 23:20"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Exodus 23:20" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>