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.

NUMBERS 18:17KJV
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Numbers 18:17 (KJV)

What does Numbers 18:17 mean?

Numbers 18:17 says that the firstborn of cows, sheep, and goats cannot be redeemed or bought back; instead, they are considered holy and must be sacrificed, with their blood sprinkled on the altar and their fat burned as an offering pleasing to the LORD. This sets apart these animals as belonging entirely to God, not for personal use or exchange.

In this verse, God is speaking to Aaron and the priests, giving instructions about how to handle the firstborn animals among the Israelites. The context is about the special rights and responsibilities of the priests concerning offerings. Unlike some other offerings that could be redeemed or substituted, these firstborn animals must be given fully to God through specific rituals at the altar.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 18:17

  • "Firstling" (בְּכוֹר, bekhor): This word refers to the firstborn male of the herd or flock. In Israelite law, the firstborn was considered especially significant and belonged to God.
  • "Redeem" (פָּדָה, padah): This means to buy back or substitute. The verse stresses that these particular animals cannot be exchanged or bought back for money or another animal.
  • "Holy" (קָדוֹשׁ, qadosh): This word means "set apart" or "sacred." The animals are not just special; they are dedicated entirely to God’s service and cannot be used for ordinary purposes.
  • "Sweet savour" (נִיחוֹחַ, nichoach) and "savour" (רֵיחַ, reyach): These words together describe the pleasing aroma of the offering, which symbolized acceptance by God.

Why Numbers 18:17 matters

  • Numbers 18:17 clarifies that not all offerings could be redeemed, highlighting the unique status of the firstborn of certain animals as fully devoted to God.
  • This verse helps explain the special role of the priests in handling offerings and the seriousness of what it meant for something to be "holy" in Israelite worship.
  • The instruction connects to the broader theme of Numbers 18, which is about the rights and duties of the priests, showing how some gifts to God were not for human benefit but for God's honor alone.

Where else these words appear

“sheep” Hebrew H3775 · used in 13 verses

  • Genesis 30:32 I will pass through all thy flock to day, removing from thence all the speckled and spotted cattle, and all the brown cattle among the sheep, and the spotted and speckled among the goats: and of such shall be my hire.
  • Leviticus 1:10 And if his offering be of the flocks, namely, of the sheep, or of the goats, for a burnt sacrifice; he shall bring it a male without blemish.
  • 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,

“sprinkle” Hebrew H2236 · used in 33 verses

  • Exodus 9:8 And the LORD said unto Moses and unto Aaron, Take to you handfuls of ashes of the furnace, and let Moses sprinkle it toward the heaven in the sight of Pharaoh.
  • Leviticus 3:13 And he shall lay his hand upon the head of it, and kill it before the tabernacle of the congregation: and the sons of Aaron shall sprinkle the blood thereof upon the altar round about.
  • 2 Kings 16:15 And king Ahaz commanded Urijah the priest, saying, Upon the great altar burn the morning burnt offering, and the evening meat offering, and the king's burnt sacrifice, and his meat offering, with the burnt offering of all the people of the land, and their meat offering, and their drink offerings; and sprinkle upon it all the blood of the burnt offering, and all the blood of the sacrifice: and the brasen altar shall be for me to enquire by.

“sweet” Hebrew H5207 · used in 43 verses

  • Genesis 8:21 And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.
  • Leviticus 6:21 In a pan it shall be made with oil; and when it is baken, thou shalt bring it in: and the baken pieces of the meat offering shalt thou offer for a sweet savour unto the LORD.
  • Numbers 28:6 It is a continual burnt offering, which was ordained in mount Sinai for a sweet savour, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD.

“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.