Exodus 13:15
New International Version
When Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the LORD killed the firstborn of both people and animals in Egypt. This is why I sacrifice to the LORD the first male offspring of every womb and redeem each of my firstborn sons.’

New Living Translation
Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, so the LORD killed all the firstborn males throughout the land of Egypt, both people and animals. That is why I now sacrifice all the firstborn males to the LORD—except that the firstborn sons are always bought back.’

English Standard Version
For when Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the LORD killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man and the firstborn of animals. Therefore I sacrifice to the LORD all the males that first open the womb, but all the firstborn of my sons I redeem.’

Berean Standard Bible
And when Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the LORD killed every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both of man and beast. This is why I sacrifice to the LORD the firstborn male of every womb, but I redeem all the firstborn of my sons.’

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
And it came to pass, when Pharaoh was stubborn about letting us go, that the LORD killed 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 males that open the womb, but all the firstborn of my sons I redeem.’

New American Standard Bible
And it came about, when Pharaoh was stubborn about letting us go, that the LORD put to death every firstborn in the land of Egypt, from human firstborns to animal firstborns. Therefore, I sacrifice to the LORD the males, every firstborn of a womb, but every firstborn of my sons I redeem.’

NASB 1995
‘It came about, when Pharaoh was stubborn about letting us go, that the LORD killed every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man and the firstborn of beast. Therefore, I sacrifice to the LORD the males, the first offspring of every womb, but every firstborn of my sons I redeem.’

NASB 1977
‘And it came about, when Pharaoh was stubborn about letting us go, that the LORD killed every first-born in the land of Egypt, both the first-born of man and the first-born of beast. Therefore, I sacrifice to the LORD the males, the first offspring of every womb, but every first-born of my sons I redeem.’

Legacy Standard Bible
And it happened, when Pharaoh hardened his heart with stiffness about letting us go, that Yahweh killed every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man and the firstborn of beast. Therefore, I sacrifice to Yahweh the males, the first offspring of every womb, but every firstborn of my sons I redeem.’

Amplified Bible
For it happened, when Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, that the LORD struck every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man and the firstborn of animal. Therefore, I sacrifice to the LORD all the males, the first [to be born] of every womb, but every firstborn of my sons I redeem.’

Christian Standard Bible
When Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the LORD killed every firstborn male in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of humans and the firstborn of livestock. That is why I sacrifice to the LORD all the firstborn of the womb that are males, but I redeem all the firstborn of my sons.’

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the LORD killed every firstborn male in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of man to the firstborn of livestock. That is why I sacrifice to the LORD all the firstborn of the womb that are males, but I redeem all the firstborn of my sons.’

American Standard Version
and it came to pass, when Pharaoh would hardly let us go, that Jehovah slew all the first-born in the land of Egypt, both the first-born of man, and the first-born of beast: therefore I sacrifice to Jehovah all that openeth the womb, being males; but all the first-born of my sons I redeem.

Contemporary English Version
The king stubbornly refused to set us free, so the LORD killed the first-born male of every animal and the first-born son of every Egyptian family. This is why we sacrifice to the LORD every first-born male of every animal and save every first-born son."

English Revised Version
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 womb, being males; but all the firstborn of my sons I redeem.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When Pharaoh was too stubborn to let us go, the LORD killed every firstborn male in Egypt-human and animal. This is why we sacrifice every firstborn male to the LORD and buy every firstborn son back from the LORD.'

Good News Translation
When the king of Egypt was stubborn and refused to let us go, the LORD killed every first-born male in the land of Egypt, both human and animal. That is why we sacrifice every first-born male animal to the LORD, but buy back our first-born sons.

International Standard Version
And when Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the LORD killed every firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of humans to the firstborn of animals. Therefore, I sacrifice to the LORD every male that first opens the womb, but I redeem every firstborn of my sons.

Majority Standard Bible
And when Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the LORD killed every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both of man and beast. This is why I sacrifice to the LORD the firstborn male of every womb, but I redeem all the firstborn of my sons.’

NET Bible
When Pharaoh stubbornly refused to release us, the LORD killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of people to the firstborn of animals. That is why I am sacrificing to the LORD the first male offspring of every womb, but all my firstborn sons I redeem.'

New Heart English Bible
and it happened, when Pharaoh would hardly let us go, that the LORD killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man, and the firstborn of animal. Therefore I sacrifice to the LORD all that opens the womb, being males; but all the firstborn of my sons I redeem.'

Webster's Bible Translation
And it came to pass, when Pharaoh would hardly let us go, that the LORD slew all the first-born in the land of Egypt, both the first-born of man, and the first-born of beasts: therefore I sacrifice to the LORD all that openeth the matrix, being males; but all the first-born of my children I redeem.

World English Bible
When Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, Yahweh killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man, and the firstborn of livestock. Therefore I sacrifice to Yahweh all that opens the womb, being males; but all the firstborn of my sons I redeem.’
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
indeed, it comes to pass, when Pharaoh has been pained to send us away, that YHWH slays every firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of man even to the firstborn of beast; therefore I am sacrificing to YHWH all opening a womb who [are] males, and I ransom every firstborn of my sons;

Young's Literal Translation
yea, it cometh to pass, when Pharaoh hath been pained to send us away, that Jehovah doth slay every first-born in the land of Egypt, from the first-born of man even unto the first-born of beast; therefore I am sacrificing to Jehovah all opening a womb who are males, and every first-born of my sons I ransom;

Smith's Literal Translation
And it shall be when Pharaoh was hard to send us forth, and Jehovah will kill every first-born in the land of Egypt, from the first-born of man to the firstborn of cattle; for this I sacrifice to Jehovah all bursting forth the womb, the males; and all the first-born of my sons I will redeem.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For when Pharao was hardened, and would not let us go, the Lord slew every firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of man to the firstborn of beasts: therefore I sacrifice to the Lord all that openeth the womb of the male sex, and all the firstborn of my sons I redeem.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For when Pharaoh had been hardened and was unwilling to release us, the Lord killed every firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of man, even to the firstborn of beasts. For this reason, I immolate to the Lord all of the male sex that opens the womb, and all the firstborn of my sons I redeem.’

New American Bible
When Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the LORD killed every firstborn in the land of Egypt, the firstborn of human being and beast alike. That is why I sacrifice to the LORD every male that opens the womb, and why I ransom every firstborn of my sons.’

New Revised Standard Version
When Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the LORD killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from human firstborn to the firstborn of animals. Therefore I sacrifice to the LORD every male that first opens the womb, but every firstborn of my sons I redeem.’
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And it came to pass, when Pharaoh was stubborn, and would not let us go, the LORD slew all the first-born in the land of Egypt, from the first-born of man to the first-born of animals; that is why I sacrifice to the LORD all that open the womb, being males; but all the first-born of my sons I redeem.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And when Pharaoh was hardened to our mission, LORD JEHOVAH killed all the firstborn ones that were in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of a son of man and unto the firstborn ones of cattle; because of this I sacrifice to LORD JEHOVAH every male opening the womb and every firstborn of the sons I shall redeem.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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 first-born of man, and the first-born of beast; therefore I sacrifice to the LORD all that openeth the womb, being males; but all the first-born of my sons I redeem.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And when Pharao hardened his heart so as not to send us away, he slew every first-born in the land of Egypt, both the first-born of man and the first-born of beast; therefore do I sacrifice every offspring that opens the womb, the males to the Lord, and every first-born of my sons I will redeem.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Dedication of the Firstborn
14In the future, when your son asks you, ‘What does this mean?’ you are to tell him, ‘With a mighty hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. 15And when Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the LORD killed every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both of man and beast. This is why I sacrifice to the LORD the firstborn male of every womb, but I redeem all the firstborn of my sons.’ 16So it shall serve as a sign on your hand and a symbol on your forehead, for with a mighty hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt.”…

Cross References
Exodus 12:29-30
Now at midnight the LORD struck down every firstborn male in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh, who sat on his throne, to the firstborn of the prisoner in the dungeon, as well as all the firstborn among the livestock. / During the night Pharaoh got up—he and all his officials and all the Egyptians—and there was loud wailing in Egypt; for there was no house without someone dead.

Numbers 3:13
for all the firstborn are Mine. On the day I struck down every firstborn in the land of Egypt, I consecrated to Myself all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast. They are Mine; I am the LORD.”

Numbers 8:17
For every firstborn male in Israel is Mine, both man and beast. I set them apart for Myself on the day I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt.

Deuteronomy 15:19
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.

Deuteronomy 6:20-23
In the future, when your son asks, “What is the meaning of the decrees and statutes and ordinances that the LORD our God has commanded you?” / then you are to tell him, “We were slaves of Pharaoh in Egypt, but the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand. / Before our eyes the LORD inflicted great and devastating signs and wonders on Egypt, on Pharaoh, and on all his household. ...

Leviticus 27:26
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.

1 Samuel 4:8
Woe to us! Who will deliver us from the hand of these mighty gods? These are the gods who struck the Egyptians with all kinds of plagues in the wilderness.

Psalm 78:51
He struck all the firstborn of Egypt, the virility in the tents of Ham.

Psalm 105:36
Then He struck all the firstborn in their land, the firstfruits of all their vigor.

Psalm 135:8
He struck down the firstborn of Egypt, of both man and beast.

Psalm 136:10
He struck down the firstborn of Egypt His loving devotion endures forever.

Hebrews 11:28
By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch Israel’s own firstborn.

Luke 2:23
(as it is written in the Law of the Lord: “Every firstborn male shall be consecrated to the Lord”),

Matthew 2:13-15
When the Magi had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up!” he said. “Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him.” / So he got up, took the Child and His mother by night, and withdrew to Egypt, / where he stayed until the death of Herod. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”

Acts 7:36
He led them out and performed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, at the Red Sea, and for forty years in the wilderness.


Treasury of Scripture

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 opens the matrix, being males; but all the firstborn of my children I redeem.

the Lord slew

Exodus 12:29
And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle.

therefore I

Exodus 13:12
That thou shalt set apart unto the LORD all that openeth the matrix, and every firstling that cometh of a beast which thou hast; the males shall be the LORD'S.

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Animal Beast Beasts Children Egypt Firstborn First-Born Hardly Killed Males Matrix Openeth Opens Pharaoh Redeem Sacrifice Slew Womb
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Animal Beast Beasts Children Egypt Firstborn First-Born Hardly Killed Males Matrix Openeth Opens Pharaoh Redeem Sacrifice Slew Womb
Exodus 13
1. The firstborn are sanctified to God
3. The memorial of the Passover is commanded
11. The firstborn of man and beast are set apart
17. The Israelites go out of Egypt, and carry Joseph's bones with them.
20. They come to Etham
21. God guides them by a pillar of a cloud, and a pillar of fire














And when Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go
The phrase highlights Pharaoh's obstinate heart, a recurring theme in the Exodus narrative. The Hebrew word for "stubbornly refused" is "qashah," which conveys a sense of being hard or severe. This reflects Pharaoh's hardened heart, a condition that God allowed to demonstrate His power and glory. Historically, Pharaoh's resistance set the stage for the dramatic deliverance of the Israelites, showcasing God's sovereignty over earthly rulers.

the LORD killed every firstborn in the land of Egypt
This phrase underscores the divine judgment executed by God. The Hebrew term for "killed" is "nakah," meaning to strike or smite. This act was the final and most severe of the ten plagues, demonstrating God's ultimate authority and the seriousness of sin and rebellion against Him. Archaeologically, there is evidence of sudden calamities in ancient Egypt, aligning with the biblical account of the plagues.

both man and beast
The inclusion of both humans and animals in this judgment signifies the comprehensive nature of God's decree. It emphasizes that all creation is under God's dominion and that the consequences of sin affect all aspects of life. This also serves as a stark reminder of the cost of disobedience and the far-reaching impact of sin.

That is why I sacrifice to the LORD the first male offspring of every womb
This phrase introduces the practice of consecrating the firstborn to God, a commandment given to the Israelites as a perpetual reminder of their deliverance. The Hebrew word for "sacrifice" is "zabach," which involves offering something valuable to God. This act of worship acknowledges God's deliverance and sovereignty, serving as a continual reminder of His grace and mercy.

and redeem every firstborn of my sons
The concept of redemption is central to this phrase. The Hebrew word "padah" means to ransom or rescue. In the context of the Exodus, it signifies the substitutionary act where a sacrifice is made in place of the firstborn son. This foreshadows the ultimate redemption through Jesus Christ, the firstborn over all creation, who redeems humanity through His sacrificial death. This practice reinforced the Israelites' identity as God's chosen people, set apart for His purposes.

Verse 15. - When Pharaoh would hardly let us go. Bather, "when Pharaoh hardened himself against letting us go." At his last interview with Moses, Pharaoh had absolutely refused to let them go with their cattle (Exodus 10:24-27), and Moses had absolutely refused to go without them. I sacrifice all that openeth the womb, being males. And being clean animals. The common sense of the reader or hearer, is expected to supply the restriction. Of my children. Rather, as in verse 13, "of my sons."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And
וַיְהִ֗י (way·hî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

when
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

Pharaoh
פַרְעֹה֮ (p̄ar·‘ōh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6547: Pharaoh -- a title of Egypt kings

stubbornly refused
הִקְשָׁ֣ה (hiq·šāh)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7185: To be hard, severe or fierce

to let us go,
לְשַׁלְּחֵנוּ֒ (lə·šal·lə·ḥê·nū)
Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct | first person common plural
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

the LORD
יְהֹוָ֤ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

killed
וַיַּהֲרֹ֨ג (way·ya·hă·rōḡ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2026: To smite with deadly intent

every
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

firstborn
בְּכוֹר֙ (bə·ḵō·wr)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1060: Firstborn, chief

in the land
בְּאֶ֣רֶץ (bə·’e·reṣ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 776: Earth, land

of Egypt,
מִצְרַ֔יִם (miṣ·ra·yim)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4714: Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa

both
מִבְּכֹ֥ר (mib·bə·ḵōr)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1060: Firstborn, chief

of man
אָדָ֖ם (’ā·ḏām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being

and
וְעַד־ (wə·‘aḏ-)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

beast.
בְּהֵמָ֑ה (bə·hê·māh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 929: A dumb beast, any large quadruped, animal

This is why
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

I
אֲנִ֨י (’ă·nî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

sacrifice
זֹבֵ֜חַ (zō·ḇê·aḥ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 2076: To slaughter for sacrifice

to the LORD
לַֽיהוָ֗ה (Yah·weh)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

the firstborn
פֶּ֤טֶר (pe·ṭer)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6363: That which separates or first opens

male
הַזְּכָרִ֔ים (haz·zə·ḵā·rîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 2145: Remembered, a male

of every
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

womb,
רֶ֙חֶם֙ (re·ḥem)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7358: The womb

but I redeem
אֶפְדֶּֽה׃ (’ep̄·deh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 6299: To sever, ransom, gener, to release, preserve

all
וְכָל־ (wə·ḵāl)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the firstborn
בְּכ֥וֹר (bə·ḵō·wr)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1060: Firstborn, chief

of my sons.’
בָּנַ֖י (bā·nay)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1121: A son


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OT Law: Exodus 13:15 And it happened when Pharaoh would hardly (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 13:14
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