And it came to pass, when Pharaoh would hardly let us go, that the LORD slew all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man, and the firstborn of beast: therefore I sacrifice to the LORD all that openeth the matrix, being males; but all the firstborn of my children I redeem.

EXODUS 13:15KJV
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Exodus 13:15 (KJV)

What does Exodus 13:15 mean?

Exodus 13:15 explains that when Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let the Israelites leave Egypt, the LORD killed all the firstborn in Egypt—both humans and animals—so now the Israelites sacrifice every firstborn male animal to the LORD and redeem (buy back) every firstborn son. This verse connects the Israelites’ present ritual to God’s dramatic rescue of them from slavery.

Moses is speaking to the Israelites, explaining why they observe the practice of sacrificing firstborn male animals and redeeming firstborn sons. The verse ties their religious customs directly to the story of the Exodus, reminding them that their freedom came at a great cost in Egypt, and that their ongoing rituals are a response to God’s powerful act of deliverance.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 13:15

  • "Pharaoh" (פַּרְעֹה, par‘ōh): This is the Egyptian king who resisted letting the Israelites go, setting the stage for the final plague.
  • "Hardly" (קָשָׁה, qāshāh): This word means to harden or make stubborn. It highlights Pharaoh’s determined refusal, which led to the severe consequence for Egypt.
  • "Firstborn" (בְּכוֹר, bəkhōr): Repeated several times, this word emphasizes the specific group affected by the final plague and the focus of the ritual response.
  • "Redeem" (פָּדָה, pādāh): This means to buy back or rescue. In this context, it refers to the practice of paying a price to God instead of sacrificing firstborn sons, underlining the value and mercy shown to human life.

Why Exodus 13:15 matters

  • Exodus 13:15 clarifies that the Israelites’ ritual of sacrificing or redeeming the firstborn is not arbitrary, but directly rooted in their history and God’s actions during the Exodus.
  • The verse emphasizes the seriousness of Pharaoh’s stubbornness and the lengths to which God went to secure Israel’s freedom, giving weight to the ongoing remembrance.
  • By connecting ritual practice to a specific historical event, Exodus 13:15 helps readers understand the deep sense of gratitude and obligation that shapes Israelite worship and identity.

Where else these words appear

“openeth” Hebrew H6363 · used in 10 verses

  • Exodus 13:2 Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast: it is mine.
  • Exodus 34:19 All that openeth the matrix is mine; and every firstling among thy cattle, whether ox or sheep, that is male.
  • Numbers 8:16 For they are wholly given unto me from among the children of Israel; instead of such as open every womb, even instead of the firstborn of all the children of Israel, have I taken them unto me.

“matrix” Hebrew H7358 · used in 25 verses

  • Genesis 20:18 For the LORD had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham's wife.
  • Numbers 12:12 Let her not be as one dead, of whom the flesh is half consumed when he cometh out of his mother's womb.
  • Job 38:8 Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb?

“hardly” Hebrew H7185 · used in 28 verses

  • Genesis 35:16 And they journeyed from Bethel; and there was but a little way to come to Ephrath: and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labour.
  • 2 Samuel 19:43 And the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, and said, We have ten parts in the king, and we have also more right in David than ye: why then did ye despise us, that our advice should not be first had in bringing back our king? And the words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel.
  • Nehemiah 9:29 And testifiedst against them, that thou mightest bring them again unto thy law: yet they dealt proudly, and hearkened not unto thy commandments, but sinned against thy judgments,(which if a man do, he shall live in them;) and withdrew the shoulder, and hardened their neck, and would not hear.

“redeem” Hebrew H6299 · used in 48 verses

  • Exodus 13:13 And every firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb; and if thou wilt not redeem it, then thou shalt break his neck: and all the firstborn of man among thy children shalt thou redeem.
  • 1 Samuel 14:45 And the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbid: as the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he hath wrought with God this day. So the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not.
  • Psalms 55:18 He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.