CINXE.COM

<!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 13:1 Then the LORD said to Moses,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/exodus/13-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/02_Exo_13_01.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Exodus 13:1 - The Dedication of the Firstborn" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Then the LORD said to Moses," /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/exodus/13-1.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/exodus/13-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/exodus/">Exodus</a> > <a href="/exodus/13.htm">Chapter 13</a> > Verse 1</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/exodus/12-51.htm" title="Exodus 12:51">◄</a> Exodus 13:1 <a href="/exodus/13-2.htm" title="Exodus 13:2">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/exodus/13.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/exodus/13.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />The LORD said to Moses,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/exodus/13.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Moses,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/exodus/13.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />The LORD said to Moses,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/exodus/13.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Moses,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/exodus/13.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/exodus/13.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/exodus/13.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/exodus/13.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/exodus/13.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/exodus/13.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/exodus/13.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/exodus/13.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The LORD spoke to Moses:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/exodus/13.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The LORD spoke to Moses: &#8220<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/exodus/13.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/exodus/13.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The LORD said to Moses, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/exodus/13.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/exodus/13.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The LORD spoke to Moses,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/exodus/13.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The LORD said to Moses, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/exodus/13.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The LORD spoke to Moses, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/exodus/13.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Moses,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/exodus/13.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The LORD spoke to Moses:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/exodus/13.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/exodus/13.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/exodus/13.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/exodus/13.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And YHWH speaks to Moses, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/exodus/13.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Jehovah speaketh unto Moses, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/exodus/13.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Jehovah will speak to Moses, saying,<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/exodus/13.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/exodus/13.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/exodus/13.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The LORD spoke to Moses and said:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/exodus/13.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The LORD said to Moses:<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/exodus/13.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />AND the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/exodus/13.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And LORD JEHOVAH said to Moshe:<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/exodus/13.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/exodus/13.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/exodus/13-1.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=3174" 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/13.htm">The Dedication of the Firstborn</a></span><br> <span class="reftext">1</span><span class="highl"><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.">Then the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/1696.htm" title="1696: way·ḏab·bêr (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To speak. A primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively, to speak; rarely to subdue.">said</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/4872.htm" title="4872: mō·šeh (N-proper-ms) -- A great Isr. leader, prophet and lawgiver. From mashah; drawing out, i.e. Rescued; Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver.">Moses,</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: lê·mōr (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say."></a> </span><span class="reftext">2</span>“Consecrate to Me every firstborn male. The firstborn from every womb among the Israelites belongs to Me, both of man and beast.”…<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="/numbers/3-13.htm">Numbers 3:13</a></span><br />for all the firstborn are Mine. On the day I struck down every firstborn in the land of Egypt, I consecrated to Myself all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast. They are Mine; I am the LORD.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/8-17.htm">Numbers 8:17</a></span><br />For every firstborn male in Israel is Mine, both man and beast. I set them apart for Myself on the day I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/27-26.htm">Leviticus 27:26</a></span><br />But no one may consecrate a firstborn of the livestock, because a firstborn belongs to the LORD. Whether it is an ox or a sheep, it is the LORD’s.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/15-19.htm">Deuteronomy 15:19</a></span><br />You must set apart to the LORD your God every firstborn male produced by your herds and flocks. You are not to put the firstborn of your oxen to work, nor are you to shear the firstborn of your flock.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/2-23.htm">Luke 2:23</a></span><br />(as it is written in the Law of the Lord: “Every firstborn male shall be consecrated to the Lord”),<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/18-15.htm">Numbers 18:15</a></span><br />The firstborn of every womb, whether man or beast, that is offered to the LORD belongs to you. But you must surely redeem every firstborn son and every firstborn male of unclean animals.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/22-29.htm">Exodus 22:29</a></span><br />You must not hold back offerings from your granaries or vats. You are to give Me the firstborn of your sons.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/34-19.htm">Exodus 34:19-20</a></span><br />The first offspring of every womb belongs to Me, including all the firstborn males among your livestock, whether cattle or sheep. / You must redeem the firstborn of a donkey with a lamb; but if you do not redeem it, you are to break its neck. You must redeem all the firstborn of your sons. No one shall appear before Me empty-handed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/12-6.htm">Deuteronomy 12:6</a></span><br />To that place you are to bring your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and heave offerings, your vow offerings and freewill offerings, as well as the firstborn of your herds and flocks.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/12-17.htm">Deuteronomy 12:17</a></span><br />Within your gates you must not eat the tithe of your grain or new wine or oil, the firstborn of your herds or flocks, any of the offerings that you have vowed to give, or your freewill offerings or special gifts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/14-23.htm">Deuteronomy 14:23</a></span><br />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="/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="/nehemiah/10-36.htm">Nehemiah 10:36</a></span><br />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.<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="/romans/8-29.htm">Romans 8:29</a></span><br />For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/exodus/12-50.htm">Moses</a> <a href="/exodus/12-1.htm">Speaketh</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/13-3.htm">Moses</a> <a href="/exodus/14-1.htm">Speaketh</a><div class="vheading2">Exodus 13</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/13-1.htm">The firstborn are sanctified to God</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/13-3.htm">The memorial of the Passover is commanded</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/13-11.htm">The firstborn of man and beast are set apart</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/13-17.htm">The Israelites go out of Egypt, and carry Joseph's bones with them.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/13-20.htm">They come to Etham</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/13-21.htm">God guides them by a pillar of a cloud, and a pillar of fire</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'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/13.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/exodus/13.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Then the LORD</b><br>This phrase indicates a direct communication from God, emphasizing His active role in guiding the Israelites. The use of "LORD" in all caps signifies the Hebrew name YHWH, the covenant name of God, highlighting His eternal and unchanging nature. This divine name is central to the identity of God as the one who delivered Israel from Egypt, fulfilling His promises to the patriarchs (<a href="/exodus/3-14.htm">Exodus 3:14-15</a>).<p><b>said to Moses</b><br>Moses is the chosen leader and prophet through whom God communicates His will to the people of Israel. This reflects the biblical pattern of God using prophets to convey His messages (<a href="/deuteronomy/18-18.htm">Deuteronomy 18:18</a>). Moses' role as a mediator foreshadows the ultimate mediator, Jesus Christ, who intercedes between God and humanity (<a href="/1_timothy/2-5.htm">1 Timothy 2:5</a>). Moses' leadership is crucial during the Exodus, a foundational event in Israel's history, symbolizing deliverance and redemption, themes that are fulfilled in the New Testament through Christ's redemptive work.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal existence and faithfulness to His promises. In this context, He is the one giving instructions to Moses.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egypt. Moses serves as the mediator between God and the Israelites.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a></b><br>The chosen people of God, who are being led out of slavery in Egypt towards the Promised Land.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/e/egypt.htm">Egypt</a></b><br>The land from which the Israelites are being delivered. It represents bondage and oppression in the biblical account.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_exodus.htm">The Exodus</a></b><br>The event of the Israelites' departure from Egypt, symbolizing God's deliverance and faithfulness to His covenant promises.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_authority.htm">God's Sovereignty and Authority</a></b><br>Recognize that God, as the Creator and Sustainer, has the authority to command and direct His people. His instructions are rooted in His sovereign will and purpose.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_principle_of_consecration.htm">The Principle of Consecration</a></b><br>Understand the importance of setting apart what is first and best for God. This principle of consecration is a call to prioritize God in our lives, dedicating our time, resources, and talents to His service.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/o/obedience_to_god's_commands.htm">Obedience to God's Commands</a></b><br>Reflect on the necessity of obedience to God's commands as an expression of faith and trust in His wisdom and goodness. Obedience is a response to God's grace and a demonstration of our commitment to Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_leadership.htm">The Role of Leadership</a></b><br>Consider the responsibility of leaders, like Moses, to faithfully communicate and implement God's instructions. Leadership in the Christian context involves guiding others in accordance with God's Word.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_faithfulness_to_his_promises.htm">God's Faithfulness to His Promises</a></b><br>Be encouraged by God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises, as seen in the deliverance of the Israelites. This assurance of God's faithfulness should strengthen our trust in His promises today.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_exodus_13.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Exodus 13</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/were_broad_phylacteries_common.htm">(Matthew 23:5) Were “broad phylacteries and long tassels” actually commonplace, or is this an exaggeration? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_are_phylacteries_used_for.htm">What are phylacteries used for?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_redeem_273_extra_firstborns.htm">Numbers 3:43 – Why is there a mismatch requiring the redemption of 273 surplus firstborn, suggesting an uneven count? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_israel_avoid_fire_weekly.htm">(Exodus 35:1-3) How could Israel realistically avoid kindling any fire at all in a harsh desert environment for an entire day each week?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/13.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 1-16.</span> - SANCTIFICATION OF THE FIRSTBORN. In connection with the deliverance from death of the Israelite first-born by the blood of the lamb, and still further to fix the remembrance of the historical facts in the mind of the nation, Moses was commissioned to declare all the firstborn of Israel for all future time, and all the firstborn of their domesticated animals "holy to the Lord." There was, perhaps, already in the minds of men a feeling that peculiar dignity attached to the first-born in each family; and this feeling was now strengthened by the assignment to them of a sacred character. God claimed them, and also the first-born of beasts, as His own. The clean beasts became his by sacrifice; but the unclean ones could not he similarly treated, and therefore had to be "redeemed" (verse 13) by the sacrifice of clean animals in their place. The first-born of men became at the first institution of the new ordinance God's ministers; but as this system was not intended to continue, it was announced that they too would have to be "redeemed" (verses 13, 15). The exact mode of redeeming them was left to be settled afterwards, and will be found in <a href="/numbers/3-40.htm">Numbers 3:40-51</a>; <a href="/numbers/18-16.htm">Numbers 18:16</a>. <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 1.</span> - On the true grammatical nexus of this verse, see note on Exodus 12:51. The injunctions of verse 2, and probably those of 3-15 - were given to Moses on the very day of the setting-forth, most likely, at Succoth in the evening. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/exodus/13-1.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">Then the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֖ה</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">said</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר</span> <span class="translit">(way·ḏab·bêr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1696.htm">Strong's 1696: </a> </span><span class="str2">To arrange, to speak, to subdue</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Moses,</span><br /><span class="heb">מֹשֶׁ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(mō·šeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4872.htm">Strong's 4872: </a> </span><span class="str2">Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/13-1.htm">Exodus 13:1 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/exodus/13-1.htm">Exodus 13:1 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/exodus/13-1.htm">Exodus 13:1 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/exodus/13-1.htm">Exodus 13:1 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/exodus/13-1.htm">Exodus 13:1 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/13-1.htm">Exodus 13:1 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/13-1.htm">Exodus 13:1 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/13-1.htm">Exodus 13:1 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/13-1.htm">Exodus 13:1 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/exodus/13-1.htm">Exodus 13:1 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/exodus/13-1.htm">OT Law: Exodus 13:1 Yahweh spoke to Moses saying (Exo. Ex) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/exodus/12-51.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Exodus 12:51"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Exodus 12:51" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/exodus/13-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Exodus 13:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Exodus 13:2" /></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>