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You are to sprinkle their blood on the altar and burn their fat as an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma to the LORD.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/numbers/18-17.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/10/04_Num_18_17.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Numbers 18:17 - Offerings for Priests and Levites" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But you must not redeem the firstborn of an ox, a sheep, or a goat; they are holy. 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Splash their blood against the altar and burn their fat as a food offering, an aroma pleasing to the LORD. <a href="/nlt/numbers/18.htm">New Living Translation</a> “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. <a href="/esv/numbers/18.htm">English Standard Version</a> 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. <a href="/bsb/numbers/18.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> But you must not redeem the firstborn of an ox, a sheep, or a goat; they are holy. You are to splatter their blood on the altar and burn their fat as a food offering, a pleasing aroma to the LORD. <a href="/kjv/numbers/18.htm">King James Bible</a> 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 savour unto the LORD. <a href="/nkjv/numbers/18.htm">New King James Version</a> 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. <a href="/nasb_/numbers/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> But the firstborn of an ox, 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 offer up their fat in smoke as an offering by fire, for a soothing aroma to the LORD. <a href="/nasb/numbers/18.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220But the firstborn of an ox 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 offer up their fat in smoke as an offering by fire, for a soothing aroma to the LORD. <a href="/nasb77/numbers/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “But the first-born of an ox or the first-born of a sheep or the first-born of a goat, you shall not redeem; they are holy. You shall sprinkle their blood on the altar and shall offer up their fat in smoke as an offering by fire, for a soothing aroma to the LORD. <a href="/lsb/numbers/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> But the firstborn of an ox or the firstborn of a sheep or the firstborn of a goat, you shall not redeem; they are holy. You shall splash their blood on the altar and shall offer up their fat in smoke as an offering by fire, for a soothing aroma to Yahweh. <a href="/amp/numbers/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a> But the firstborn of a cow or of a sheep or of a goat you shall not redeem; they are holy [and belong to the LORD]. You shall sprinkle their blood on the altar and shall offer up their fat in smoke as an offering by fire, for a sweet and soothing aroma to the LORD. <a href="/csb/numbers/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> “However, you must not redeem the firstborn of an ox, a sheep, or a goat; they are holy. You are to splatter their blood on the altar and burn their fat as a food offering for a pleasing aroma to the LORD. <a href="/hcsb/numbers/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> However, you must not redeem the firstborn of an ox, a sheep, or a goat; they are holy. You are to sprinkle their blood on the altar and burn their fat as a fire offering for a pleasing aroma to the LORD. <a href="/asv/numbers/18.htm">American Standard Version</a> 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 Jehovah. <a href="/cev/numbers/18.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> However, all first-born cattle, sheep, and goats belong to me and cannot be bought back. Splatter their blood on the altar and send their fat up in smoke, so I can smell it and be pleased. <a href="/erv/numbers/18.htm">English Revised Version</a> But the firstling of an ox, 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 savour unto the LORD. <a href="/gwt/numbers/18.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> "But you must never buy back a firstborn ox, sheep, or goat. They are holy. Throw the blood from these animals against the altar, and burn the fat as an offering by fire, a soothing aroma to the LORD. <a href="/gnt/numbers/18.htm">Good News Translation</a> But the first-born of cows, sheep, and goats are not to be bought back; they belong completely to me and are to be sacrificed. Throw their blood against the altar and burn their fat as a food offering, an odor pleasing to me. <a href="/isv/numbers/18.htm">International Standard Version</a> But you are not to redeem the firstborn of a cow, sheep, or a female goat. They are holy. You are to sprinkle their blood on the altar and burn their fat for an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma to the LORD. <a href="/msb/numbers/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> But you must not redeem the firstborn of an ox, a sheep, or a goat; they are holy. You are to splatter their blood on the altar and burn their fat as a food offering, a pleasing aroma to the LORD. <a href="/net/numbers/18.htm">NET Bible</a> But you must not redeem the firstborn of a cow or a sheep or a goat; they are holy. You must splash their blood on the altar and burn their fat for an offering made by fire for a pleasing aroma to the LORD. <a href="/nheb/numbers/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> "But you shall not redeem the firstborn of a cow, or the firstborn of a sheep, or the firstborn of a goat. They are holy. You shall sprinkle their blood on the altar, and shall burn their fat for an offering made by fire, for a pleasant aroma to the LORD. <a href="/wbt/numbers/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> 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 to the LORD. <a href="/web/numbers/18.htm">World English Bible</a> “But you shall not redeem the firstborn of a cow, or the firstborn of a sheep, or the firstborn of a goat. They are holy. You shall sprinkle their blood on the altar, and shall burn their fat for an offering made by fire, for a pleasant aroma to Yahweh. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/numbers/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Only, the firstling of a cow, or the firstling of a sheep, or the firstling of a goat, you do not ransom, they [are] holy: you sprinkle their blood on the altar, and you make incense of their fat [as] a fire-offering of refreshing fragrance to YHWH; <a href="/ylt/numbers/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> Only, the firstling of a cow, or the firstling of a sheep, or the firstling of a goat, thou dost not ransom, holy they are: their blood thou dost sprinkle on the altar, and of their fat thou makest perfume, a fire-offering of sweet fragrance to Jehovah, <a href="/slt/numbers/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> But the first-born of a cow, or the first-born of a sheep, or the first-born of a goat, thou shalt not redeem; they are holy: their blood shalt thou pour out upon the altar, and their fat thou shalt burn a sacrifice for an odor of sweetness to Jehovah.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/numbers/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> But the firstling of a cow and of a sheep and of a goat thou shalt not cause to be redeemed, because they are sanctified to the Lord. Their blood only thou shalt pour upon the altar, and their fat thou shalt burn for a most sweet odour to the Lord. <a href="/cpdv/numbers/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> But the firstborn of a cow, or of a sheep, or of a goat, you shall not cause to be redeemed, because they have been sanctified to the Lord. Thus, their blood you shall pour out upon the altar, and their fat you shall burn as a most sweet odor to the Lord. <a href="/nabre/numbers/18.htm">New American Bible</a> But the firstborn of cattle, or the firstborn of sheep or the firstborn of goats you shall not redeem; they are holy. Their blood you must splash on the altar and their fat you must burn as an oblation of pleasing aroma to the LORD. <a href="/nrsvce/numbers/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> 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 dash their blood on the altar, and shall turn their fat into smoke as an offering by fire for a pleasing odor to the LORD;<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/numbers/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> But the firstlings of the cattle or the firstlings of the sheep or the firstlings of the goats, you shall not redeem, because they are holy; you shall sprinkle their blood upon the altar and shall burn their fat for an offering made by fire, for a sweet savour to the LORD. <a href="/hpbt/numbers/18.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> However you shall not redeem the firstborn of an ox or the firstborn of lambs and the firstborn of goats, because they are holiness, and sprinkle their blood on the altar and offer up their fat as a gift on the altar for a fragrant savor to LORD JEHOVAH.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/numbers/18.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> But the firstling of an ox, or the firstling of a sheep, or the firstling of a goat, thou shalt not redeem; they are holy: thou shalt dash their blood against the altar, and shalt make their fat smoke for an offering made by fire, for a sweet savour unto the LORD. <a href="/sep/numbers/18.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> But thou shalt not redeem the first-born of calves and the first-born of sheep and the first-born of goats; they are holy: and thou shalt pour their blood upon the altar, and thou shalt offer the fat as a burnt-offering for a smell of sweet savour to the Lord. <a href="/parallel/numbers/18-17.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yauBFvKLNNo?start=5808" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/numbers/18.htm">Offerings for Priests and Levites</a> …16You are to pay the redemption price for a month-old male according to your valuation: five shekels of silver, according to the sanctuary shekel, which is twenty gerahs. 17<a href="/hebrew/389.htm" title="389: ’aḵ (Adv) -- Surely, howbeit. Akin to 'aken; a particle of affirmation, surely; hence only.">But</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/6299.htm" title="6299: ṯip̄·deh (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To ransom. A primitive root; to sever, i.e. Ransom; gener. To release, preserve.">redeem</a> <a href="/hebrew/1060.htm" title="1060: bə·ḵō·wr- (N-msc) -- First-born. From bakar; firstborn; hence, chief.">the firstborn</a> <a href="/hebrew/7794.htm" title="7794: šō·wr (N-ms) -- A head of cattle (bullock, ox, etc.). From shuwr; a bullock.">of an ox,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3775.htm" title="3775: ke·śeḇ (N-ms) -- A lamb. Apparently by transposition for kebes; a young sheep.">a sheep,</a> <a href="/hebrew/176.htm" title="176: ’ōw- (Conj) -- Or. Presumed to be the constructive or genitival form of -av; short for 'avvah; desire; hence or, also if."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1060.htm" title="1060: ḇə·ḵō·wr (N-msc) -- First-born. From bakar; firstborn; hence, chief."></a> <a href="/hebrew/176.htm" title="176: ’ōw- (Conj) -- Or. Presumed to be the constructive or genitival form of -av; short for 'avvah; desire; hence or, also if.">or</a> <a href="/hebrew/1060.htm" title="1060: ḇə·ḵō·wr (N-msc) -- First-born. From bakar; firstborn; hence, chief."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5795.htm" title="5795: ‘êz (N-fs) -- Female goat. From azaz; a she-goat, but masculine in plural.">a goat;</a> <a href="/hebrew/1992.htm" title="1992: hêm (Pro-3mp) -- They. Or hemmah; masculine plural from halak; they.">they</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6944.htm" title="6944: qō·ḏeš (N-ms) -- Apartness, sacredness. From qadash; a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity.">are holy.</a> <a href="/hebrew/2236.htm" title="2236: tiz·rōq (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- Be here and there, scatter, sprinkle, strew. A primitive root; to sprinkle.">You are to sprinkle</a> <a href="/hebrew/1818.htm" title="1818: dā·mām (N-msc:: 3mp) -- Blood. From damam; blood of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively bloodshed.">their blood</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">on</a> <a href="/hebrew/4196.htm" title="4196: ham·miz·bê·aḥ (Art:: N-ms) -- An altar. From zabach; an altar.">the altar</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: wə·’eṯ- (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6999.htm" title="6999: taq·ṭîr (V-Hifil-Imperf-2ms) -- To make sacrifices smoke. A primitive root; to smoke, i.e. Turn into fragrance by fire.">and burn</a> <a href="/hebrew/2459.htm" title="2459: ḥel·bām (N-msc:: 3mp) -- Or cheleb; from an unused root meaning to be fat; fat, whether literally or figuratively; hence, the richest or choice part.">their fat</a> <a href="/hebrew/801.htm" title="801: ’iš·šeh (N-ms) -- The same as 'eshshah, but used in a liturgical sense; properly, a burnt-offering; but occasionally of any sacrifice.">as an offering made by fire,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5207.htm" title="5207: nî·ḥō·aḥ (N-ms) -- A quieting, soothing, tranquilizing. Or niychoach; from nuwach; properly, restful, i.e. Pleasant; abstractly, delight.">a pleasing</a> <a href="/hebrew/7381.htm" title="7381: lə·rê·aḥ (Prep-l:: N-msc) -- To smell, perceive odor. From ruwach; odor.">aroma</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (Prep-l:: N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">to the LORD.</a> 18And their meat belongs to you, just as the breast and right thigh of the wave offering belong to you.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/exodus/13-2.htm">Exodus 13:2</a> “Consecrate to Me every firstborn male. The firstborn from every womb among the Israelites belongs to Me, both of man and beast.” <a href="/exodus/13-12.htm">Exodus 13:12-13</a> you are to present to the LORD the firstborn male of every womb. All the firstborn males of your livestock belong to the LORD. / You must redeem every firstborn donkey with a lamb, and if you do not redeem it, you are to break its neck. And every firstborn of your sons you must redeem. <a href="/leviticus/27-26.htm">Leviticus 27:26</a> 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. <a href="/deuteronomy/15-19.htm">Deuteronomy 15:19</a> 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. <a href="/deuteronomy/12-6.htm">Deuteronomy 12:6</a> 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. <a href="/deuteronomy/12-17.htm">Deuteronomy 12:17</a> 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. <a href="/deuteronomy/14-23.htm">Deuteronomy 14:23</a> 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. <a href="/deuteronomy/14-26.htm">Deuteronomy 14:26</a> Then you may spend the money on anything you desire: cattle, sheep, wine, strong drink, or anything you wish. You are to feast there in the presence of the LORD your God and rejoice with your household. <a href="/deuteronomy/15-21.htm">Deuteronomy 15:21</a> But if an animal has a defect, is lame or blind, or has any serious flaw, you must not sacrifice it to the LORD your God. <a href="/deuteronomy/17-1.htm">Deuteronomy 17:1</a> You shall not sacrifice to the LORD your God an ox or a sheep with any defect or serious flaw, for that is detestable to the LORD your God. <a href="/luke/2-23.htm">Luke 2:23</a> (as it is written in the Law of the Lord: “Every firstborn male shall be consecrated to the Lord”), <a href="/hebrews/12-23.htm">Hebrews 12:23</a> in joyful assembly, to the congregation of the firstborn, enrolled in heaven. You have come to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, <a href="/romans/8-29.htm">Romans 8:29</a> 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. <a href="/colossians/1-15.htm">Colossians 1:15</a> The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. <a href="/revelation/14-4.htm">Revelation 14:4</a> These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they are virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever He goes. They have been redeemed from among men as firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>But the firstling of a cow, or the firstling of a sheep, or the firstling of a goat, you shall not redeem; they are holy: you shall sprinkle their blood on the altar, and shall burn their fat for an offering made by fire, for a sweet smell to the LORD.the firstling<a href="/deuteronomy/15-19.htm">Deuteronomy 15:19-22</a> 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… thou shall<a href="/exodus/29-16.htm">Exodus 29:16</a> And thou shalt slay the ram, and thou shalt take his blood, and sprinkle it round about upon the altar.<a href="/leviticus/3-2.htm">Leviticus 3:2-5</a> And he shall lay his hand upon the head of his offering, and kill it at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and Aaron's sons the priests shall sprinkle the blood upon the altar round about… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/numbers/18-7.htm">Altar</a> <a href="/numbers/15-24.htm">Aroma</a> <a href="/leviticus/25-49.htm">Blood</a> <a href="/numbers/16-40.htm">Burn</a> <a href="/leviticus/22-28.htm">Cow</a> <a href="/leviticus/17-6.htm">Dash</a> <a href="/numbers/18-16.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/numbers/18-15.htm">Offer</a> <a href="/numbers/18-11.htm">Offering</a> <a href="/numbers/15-11.htm">Ox</a> <a href="/numbers/15-24.htm">Pleasant</a> <a href="/numbers/18-16.htm">Redeem</a> <a href="/numbers/15-24.htm">Savor</a> <a href="/numbers/15-24.htm">Savour</a> <a href="/numbers/15-11.htm">Sheep</a> <a href="/numbers/5-26.htm">Smoke</a> <a href="/numbers/15-14.htm">Soothing</a> <a href="/numbers/8-7.htm">Sprinkle</a> <a href="/numbers/15-24.htm">Sweet</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/numbers/23-2.htm">Altar</a> <a href="/numbers/28-2.htm">Aroma</a> <a href="/numbers/19-4.htm">Blood</a> <a href="/numbers/19-5.htm">Burn</a> <a href="/numbers/19-5.htm">Cow</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/7-5.htm">Dash</a> <a href="/numbers/18-19.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/numbers/18-19.htm">Offer</a> <a href="/numbers/18-18.htm">Offering</a> <a href="/numbers/22-4.htm">Ox</a> <a href="/numbers/28-2.htm">Pleasant</a> <a href="/ruth/3-13.htm">Redeem</a> <a href="/numbers/28-2.htm">Savor</a> <a href="/numbers/28-2.htm">Savour</a> <a href="/numbers/22-40.htm">Sheep</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/29-20.htm">Smoke</a> <a href="/numbers/28-6.htm">Soothing</a> <a href="/numbers/19-4.htm">Sprinkle</a> <a href="/numbers/28-2.htm">Sweet</a><div class="vheading2">Numbers 18</div>1. <a href="/numbers/18-1.htm">The charge of the priests and Levites</a> 8. <a href="/numbers/18-8.htm">The priests, portion</a> 21. <a href="/numbers/18-21.htm">The Levites,</a> 25. <a href="/numbers/18-25.htm">The heave offering to the priests out of the Levites' portion</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <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> </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/numbers/18.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/numbers/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/numbers/18.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>But you must not redeem the firstborn of an ox, a sheep, or a goat; In the context of ancient Israel, the firstborn of livestock held special significance as they were considered the best and most valuable. The command not to redeem these animals underscores their dedication to God. This reflects the broader principle of offering the first and best to God, as seen in <a href="/exodus/13-2.htm">Exodus 13:2</a>, where the firstborn of both man and beast are consecrated to the Lord. The concept of redemption, or buying back, is significant in biblical theology, pointing to the ultimate redemption through Christ, who is referred to as the firstborn over all creation (<a href="/colossians/1-15.htm">Colossians 1:15</a>).they are holy. The term "holy" signifies being set apart for God’s purposes. In <a href="/leviticus/27-26.htm">Leviticus 27:26</a>, it is stated that the firstborn of animals already belong to the Lord and cannot be consecrated again. This holiness is a reminder of God's ownership and the Israelites' covenant relationship with Him. The holiness of these animals prefigures the holiness required of believers, as seen in <a href="/1_peter/1-16.htm">1 Peter 1:16</a>, "Be holy, because I am holy."You are to splatter their blood on the altar The act of splattering blood on the altar is a key component of sacrificial rituals, symbolizing atonement and purification. <a href="/leviticus/17-11.htm">Leviticus 17:11</a> explains that the life of the flesh is in the blood, and it is given on the altar to make atonement for souls. This foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, whose blood was shed for the remission of sins (<a href="/hebrews/9-22.htm">Hebrews 9:22</a>).and burn their fat as a food offering, Burning the fat of the sacrifice was considered the offering of the best part to God, as fat was associated with richness and abundance. <a href="/leviticus/3-16.htm">Leviticus 3:16</a> states that all the fat is the Lord's, emphasizing the idea of giving God the choicest portions. This act of burning the fat symbolizes the complete dedication and surrender to God.a pleasing aroma to the LORD. The phrase "a pleasing aroma" is frequently used in the Old Testament to describe sacrifices that are acceptable to God (<a href="/genesis/8-21.htm">Genesis 8:21</a>, <a href="/exodus/29-18.htm">Exodus 29:18</a>). It signifies God's satisfaction with the offering and the worshiper's obedience. This concept is echoed in the New Testament, where Christ's sacrifice is described as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God (<a href="/ephesians/5-2.htm">Ephesians 5:2</a>), highlighting the fulfillment of the sacrificial system in Jesus.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a> The covenant God of Israel, who establishes the laws and regulations for His people. 2. <a href="/topical/a/aaron_and_the_priests.htm">Aaron and the Priests</a> The recipients of the instructions in <a href="/bsb/numbers/18.htm">Numbers 18</a>, responsible for the sacrificial system and maintaining the holiness of the offerings. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_firstborn_of_livestock.htm">The Firstborn of Livestock</a> Specific animals (ox, sheep, goat) that are set apart as holy and not to be redeemed, but offered to God. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_altar.htm">The Altar</a> The sacred place where sacrifices are made, symbolizing the presence and worship of God. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_tabernacle.htm">The Tabernacle</a> The dwelling place of God among His people, where the altar is located and sacrifices are performed.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/h/holiness_of_offerings.htm">Holiness of Offerings</a> The firstborn animals are set apart as holy, emphasizing the importance of giving God our best and recognizing His sovereignty over all creation. <a href="/topical/s/symbolism_of_sacrifice.htm">Symbolism of Sacrifice</a> The act of sprinkling blood and burning fat signifies atonement and dedication, reminding us of the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who fulfilled the sacrificial system. <a href="/topical/p/pleasing_aroma_to_the_lord.htm">Pleasing Aroma to the LORD</a> Our lives, like the offerings, should be a pleasing aroma to God, characterized by obedience, worship, and devotion. <a href="/topical/r/role_of_the_priests.htm">Role of the Priests</a> The priests' role in handling the sacrifices points to the responsibility of spiritual leaders to guide and maintain the holiness of worship. <a href="/topical/c/consecration_and_redemption.htm">Consecration and Redemption</a> While some things are consecrated and not to be redeemed, believers are redeemed by Christ, called to live consecrated lives in response to His grace.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_numbers_18.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Numbers 18</a> <a href="/q/what_does_'firstborn'_mean_biblically.htm">What does "firstborn" mean in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/how_to_resolve_levite_priestly_shifts.htm">Deuteronomy 33:8-11 assigns the Levites to priestly duties, yet biblical accounts elsewhere suggest shifts in priestly lines; how do we resolve this discrepancy?</a> <a href="/q/why_do_num._18_15-19_and_deut._differ.htm">Why does Numbers 18:15-19 differ in certain details from parallel instructions in Deuteronomy regarding firstborn offerings, and how can these discrepancies be reconciled?</a> <a href="/q/are_there_non-biblical_records_of_priestly_offerings.htm">Numbers 18:8-19 outlines specific offerings for priests; are there non-biblical records confirming such detailed allocation of sacrificial portions?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/numbers/18.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 17. - But the firstling of a cow, etc. Only those things which were not available for sacrifice could be redeemed; the rest must be offered to him that claimed them. The first-born of men belonged partially to both classes: on the one hand, they could not be sacrificed, and therefore were redeemed with money; on the other hand, they could be dedicated (being clean), and therefore had been exchanged for the Levites. <a href="/commentaries/numbers/18-17.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>But אַ֣ךְ (’aḵ) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_389.htm">Strong's 389: </a> A particle of affirmation, surely you must not לֹ֥א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no redeem תִפְדֶּ֖ה (ṯip̄·deh) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6299.htm">Strong's 6299: </a> To sever, ransom, gener, to release, preserve the firstborn בְּֽכוֹר־ (bə·ḵō·wr-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1060.htm">Strong's 1060: </a> Firstborn, chief of an ox, שׁ֡וֹר (šō·wr) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7794.htm">Strong's 7794: </a> A head of cattle (bullock, ox, etcetera) a sheep, כֶּ֜שֶׂב (ke·śeḇ) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3775.htm">Strong's 3775: </a> A young sheep or אֽוֹ־ (’ōw-) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_176.htm">Strong's 176: </a> Desire, if a goat; עֵ֛ז (‘êz) Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5795.htm">Strong's 5795: </a> Female goat they הֵ֑ם (hêm) Pronoun - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1992.htm">Strong's 1992: </a> They are holy. קֹ֣דֶשׁ (qō·ḏeš) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6944.htm">Strong's 6944: </a> A sacred place, thing, sanctity You are to sprinkle תִּזְרֹ֤ק (tiz·rōq) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2236.htm">Strong's 2236: </a> Be here and there, scatter, sprinkle, strew their blood דָּמָ֞ם (dā·mām) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1818.htm">Strong's 1818: </a> Blood, of man, an animal, the juice of the grape, bloodshed on עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> Above, over, upon, against the altar הַמִּזְבֵּ֙חַ֙ (ham·miz·bê·aḥ) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4196.htm">Strong's 4196: </a> An altar and burn תַּקְטִ֔יר (taq·ṭîr) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6999.htm">Strong's 6999: </a> To smoke, turn into fragrance by fire their fat חֶלְבָּ֣ם (ḥel·bām) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2459.htm">Strong's 2459: </a> Fat, richest, choice part as an offering made by fire, אִשֶּׁ֛ה (’iš·šeh) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_801.htm">Strong's 801: </a> A burnt-offering, a sacrifice a pleasing נִיחֹ֖חַ (nî·ḥō·aḥ) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5207.htm">Strong's 5207: </a> A quieting, soothing, tranquilizing aroma לְרֵ֥יחַ (lə·rê·aḥ) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7381.htm">Strong's 7381: </a> To smell, perceive odor to the LORD. לַֽיהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh) Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/numbers/18-17.htm">Numbers 18:17 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/numbers/18-17.htm">Numbers 18:17 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/numbers/18-17.htm">Numbers 18:17 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/numbers/18-17.htm">Numbers 18:17 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/numbers/18-17.htm">Numbers 18:17 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/numbers/18-17.htm">Numbers 18:17 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/numbers/18-17.htm">Numbers 18:17 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/numbers/18-17.htm">Numbers 18:17 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/numbers/18-17.htm">Numbers 18:17 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/numbers/18-17.htm">Numbers 18:17 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/numbers/18-17.htm">OT Law: Numbers 18:17 But you shall not redeem the firstborn (Nu Num.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/numbers/18-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Numbers 18:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Numbers 18:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/numbers/18-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Numbers 18:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Numbers 18:18" /></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>