Meaning of FIRSTBORN

The firstborn of men and beasts are declared to belong to God, who not only gave them (cf. Gen. 4:4), but also rescued them in Egypt from slavery and judgment.

During the tenth and final plague, the firstborn of Egypt were killed, while the firstborn of the Israelites were saved thanks to the blood placed on the lintel and doorposts of their houses (Ex. 12:12, 13, 23, 29; see EASTER).

The firstborn, objects of such redemption, thus belonged doubly to Jehovah. Every firstborn male of man or animal was set apart for the Lord (Ex. 13:2; 34:19); the man had no right over them.

The firstborn of animals was destined for sacrifice, but the firstborn of man was rescued (Ex. 13:13, 15; 34:20, cf. Lev. 27:6). For this reason he was taken to the sanctuary and presented to Jehovah (Lk. 2:22; cf. Num. 18:15).

Later, the Levites took the place of the firstborn of the Israelites (Num. 3:12, 41, 46; 8:13-19; cf. Ex. 32:26-29) and were assigned to the service of the cult (see LEVITES).

Among the firstborn of the animals equally consecrated to the Lord, distinctions were made. The firstborn of the pure animals was sacrificed. Impure animals, of which the donkey is cited as a typical specimen, could be broken, or redeemed with a lamb (Ex. 13:13, 15; 22:29, 30; 34:20).

The fat of the animal was to be consumed with fire, and the meat given to the priest. The unclean animal was rescued or sold (Lev. 27:27; Num. 18:15-18).

Later, due to the new circumstances that could be foreseen from the establishment of the people in the land of Canaan, and because the move to the only central sanctuary could be difficult and costly, the rule was given to delay the presentation of the firstborn.

More than the eight days initially prescribed at the beginning were allowed to pass, and to wait for one of the annual festivals. The meat, instead of being given to the priest, was left for the pilgrim who had brought the animal to the sanctuary.

The Israelite and his family consumed it there (Deut. 15:19, 20). Animals with blemishes were not taken to the sanctuary. They were eaten at home, without any cult ceremony (Deut. 15:21-23). Regarding the legal privileges of the firstborn