Only the firstling of the beasts, which should be the LORD'S firstling, no man shall sanctify it; whether it be ox, or sheep: it is the LORD'S.

LEVITICUS 27:26KJV
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Leviticus 27:26 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 27:26 mean?

Leviticus 27:26 says that an Israelite could not make the firstborn of an ox or a sheep a special gift to the LORD. Such an animal already belonged to the LORD, so its owner could not offer it as a separate gift under the rules in this passage.

The verse draws a distinction between a gift a person chooses to set apart and an animal that already has a set place in Israel’s worship. The words “whether it be ox, or sheep” name two kinds of livestock to which this rule applies.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 27:26

  • “firstling” — בְּכוֹר (bekhor): This means a firstborn. The word points to an animal’s place in the order of birth, rather than to its size or quality.
  • “sanctify” — קָדַשׁ (qadash): This can mean to set something apart for a sacred purpose. Here the word describes setting an animal apart as a special gift to the LORD.

Why Leviticus 27:26 matters

  • The rule concerns ownership before a person makes a gift. The reason given is “it is the LORD’S,” so the animal’s firstborn status already determines its place.
  • The passage also distinguishes kinds of animals. Verse 27 goes on to address a firstborn animal classed as “unclean,” with a way for its owner to pay to keep it.

Where else these words appear

“firstling” Hebrew H1069 · used in 4 verses

  • Deuteronomy 21:16 Then it shall be, when he maketh his sons to inherit that which he hath, that he may not make the son of the beloved firstborn before the son of the hated, which is indeed the firstborn:
  • Jeremiah 4:31 For I have heard a voice as of a woman in travail, and the anguish as of her that bringeth forth her first child, the voice of the daughter of Zion, that bewaileth herself, that spreadeth her hands, saying, Woe is me now! for my soul is wearied because of murderers.
  • Ezekiel 47:12 And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine.

“sheep” Hebrew H7716 · used in 39 verses

  • Genesis 22:7 And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?
  • Exodus 34:20 But the firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb: and if thou redeem him not, then shalt thou break his neck. All the firstborn of thy sons thou shalt redeem. And none shall appear before me empty.
  • 1 Samuel 15:3 Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.

“ox” Hebrew H7794 · used in 69 verses

  • Genesis 32:5 And I have oxen, and asses, flocks, and menservants, and womenservants: and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find grace in thy sight.
  • Leviticus 17:3 What man soever there be of the house of Israel, that killeth an ox, or lamb, or goat, in the camp, or that killeth it out of the camp,
  • Judges 6:25 And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him, Take thy father's young bullock, even the second bullock of seven years old, and throw down the altar of Baal that thy father hath, and cut down the grove that is by it:

“firstling” Hebrew H1060 · used in 96 verses

  • Genesis 10:15 And Canaan begat Sidon his firstborn, and Heth,
  • Numbers 3:41 And thou shalt take the Levites for me(I am the LORD) instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel; and the cattle of the Levites instead of all the firstlings among the cattle of the children of Israel.
  • 1 Chronicles 2:27 And the sons of Ram the firstborn of Jerahmeel were, Maaz, and Jamin, and Eker.