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 3:13 ►

New International Version
for all the firstborn are mine. When I struck down all the firstborn in Egypt, I set apart for myself every firstborn in Israel, whether human or animal. They are to be mine. I am the LORD.”

New Living Translation
for all the firstborn males are mine. On the day I struck down all the firstborn sons of the Egyptians, I set apart for myself all the firstborn in Israel, both of people and of animals. They are mine; I am the LORD.”

English Standard Version
for all the firstborn are mine. On the day that I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I consecrated for my own all the firstborn in Israel, both of man and of beast. They shall be mine: I am the LORD.”

Berean Standard Bible
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.”

King James Bible
Because all the firstborn are mine; for on the day that I smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I hallowed unto me all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast: mine shall they be: I am the LORD.

New King James Version
because all the firstborn are Mine. On the day that I struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I sanctified to Myself all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast. They shall be Mine: I am the LORD.”

New American Standard Bible
For all the firstborn are Mine; on the day that I fatally struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I sanctified to Myself all the firstborn in Israel, from the human firstborn to animals. They shall be Mine; I am the LORD.”

NASB 1995
“For all the firstborn are Mine; on the day that I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I sanctified to Myself all the firstborn in Israel, from man to beast. They shall be Mine; I am the LORD.”

NASB 1977
“For all the first-born are Mine; on the day that I struck down all the first-born in the land of Egypt, I sanctified to Myself all the first-born in Israel, from man to beast. They shall be Mine; I am the LORD.”

Legacy Standard Bible
For all the firstborn are Mine; on the day that I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I sanctified to Myself all the firstborn in Israel, from man to beast. They shall be Mine; I am Yahweh.”

Amplified Bible
for all the firstborn are Mine. On the day that I killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I consecrated for Myself all the firstborn in Israel, both man and animal. They shall be mine; I am the LORD.”

Christian Standard Bible
because every firstborn belongs to me. At the time I struck down every firstborn in the land of Egypt, I consecrated every firstborn in Israel to myself, both man and animal. They are mine; I am the LORD.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
because every firstborn belongs to Me. At the time I struck down every firstborn in the land of Egypt, I consecrated every firstborn in Israel to Myself, both man and animal. They are Mine; I am Yahweh.”

American Standard Version
for all the first-born are mine; on the day that I smote all the first-born in the land of Egypt I hallowed unto me all the first-born in Israel, both man and beast; mine they shall be: I am Jehovah.

English Revised Version
for all the firstborn are mine; on the day that I smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I hallowed unto me all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast: mine they shall be; I am the LORD.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
because every firstborn is mine. The day I killed every firstborn male in Egypt, I set apart as holy every firstborn in Israel, whether human or animal. They will be mine. I am the LORD."

International Standard Version
because all the first-born belong to me. When I destroyed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I consecrated all the first-born in Israel for myself—from human beings to livestock. They belong to me, since I am the LORD."

Majority Standard Bible
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.”

NET Bible
because all the firstborn are mine. When I destroyed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I set apart for myself all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast. They belong to me. I am the LORD."

New Heart English Bible
for all the firstborn are mine. On the day that I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I made holy to me all the firstborn in Israel, both man and animal. They shall be mine. I am the LORD."

Webster's Bible Translation
Because all the first-born are mine; for on the day that I smote all the first-born in the land of Egypt, I hallowed to me all the first-born in Israel, both man and beast: mine they shall be: I am the LORD.

World English Bible
for all the firstborn are mine. On the day that I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I made holy to me all the firstborn in Israel, both man and animal. They shall be mine. I am Yahweh.”

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
for every firstborn [is] Mine, in the day of My striking every firstborn in the land of Egypt I have sanctified to Myself every firstborn in Israel, from man to beast; they are Mine; I [am] YHWH.”

Young's Literal Translation
for Mine is every first-born, in the day of My smiting every first-born in the land of Egypt I have sanctified to Myself every first-born in Israel, from man unto beast; Mine they are; I am Jehovah.'

Smith's Literal Translation
For to me all the first-born: in the day I struck all the first-born in the land of Egypt, I consecrated to me every first-born in Israel, from man to cattle: to me they shall be: I am Jehovah.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
For every firstborn is mine: since I struck the firstborn in the land of Egypt: I have sanctified to myself whatsoever is firstborn in Israel both of man and beast, they are mine: I am the Lord.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For every firstborn is mine. From the time that I struck the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I have sanctified for myself whatever is born first in Israel. From man, even to beast, they are mine. I am the Lord.”

New American Bible
because every firstborn is mine. When I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I consecrated to me every firstborn in Israel, human being and beast alike. They belong to me; I am the LORD.

New Revised Standard Version
for all the firstborn are mine; when I killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I consecrated for my own all the firstborn in Israel, both human and animal; they shall be mine. I am the LORD.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
Because all the first-born are mine; for on the day that I smote all the first-born in the land of Egypt, I consecrated to me all the first-born in Israel, both man and beast; they shall be mine; I am the LORD.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because every firstborn is mine; in the day that I killed every firstborn that was in the land of Egypt, I hallowed every firstborn of the children of Israel to me from man and unto animal; they shall be mine; I AM LORD JEHOVAH.”

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
for all the first-born are Mine: on the day that I smote all the first-born in the land of Egypt I hallowed unto Me all the first-born in Israel, both man and beast, Mine they shall be: I am the LORD.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
For every first-born is mine; in the day in which I smote every first-born in the land of Egypt, I sanctified to myself every first-born in Israel: both of man and beast, they shall be mine: I am the Lord.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Duties of the Levites
…12“Behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel in place of every firstborn Israelite from the womb. The Levites belong to Me, 13for 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.”

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Exodus 13:2
“Consecrate to Me every firstborn male. The firstborn from every womb among the Israelites belongs to Me, both of man and beast.”

Exodus 13:12
you are to present to the LORD the firstborn male of every womb. All the firstborn males of your livestock belong to the LORD.

Exodus 13:15
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.’

Exodus 22:29
You must not hold back offerings from your granaries or vats. You are to give Me the firstborn of your sons.

Exodus 34:19-20
The first offspring of every womb belongs to Me, including all the firstborn males among your livestock, whether cattle or sheep. / You must redeem the firstborn of a donkey with a lamb; but if you do not redeem it, you are to break its neck. You must redeem all the firstborn of your sons. No one shall appear before Me empty-handed.

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.

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 21:17
Instead, he must acknowledge the firstborn, the son of his unloved wife, by giving him a double portion of all that he has. For that son is the firstfruits of his father’s strength; the right of the firstborn belongs to him.

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

Hebrews 12:23
in joyful assembly, to the congregation of the firstborn, enrolled in heaven. You have come to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,

1 Corinthians 6:20
you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body.

1 Corinthians 7:23
You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.

1 Peter 1:18-19
For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers, / but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot.

Romans 8:29
For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers.

Colossians 1:15
The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

Treasury of Scripture

Because all the firstborn are mine; for on the day that I smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I hallowed to me all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast: my shall they be: I am the LORD.

because

Numbers 8:16,17
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…

Numbers 18:15
Every thing that openeth the matrix in all flesh, which they bring unto the LORD, whether it be of men or beasts, shall be thine: nevertheless the firstborn of man shalt thou surely redeem, and the firstling of unclean beasts shalt thou redeem.

Exodus 13:2,12
Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast: it is mine…

on the day

Exodus 12:29,30
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…

Exodus 13:15
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.

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Animal Apart Beast Consecrated Egypt Firstborn First-Born Hallowed Holy Israel Sanctified Slew Smote Struck Whether

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Numbers 3

1. The sons of Aaron
5. The Levites are given to the priests instead of the firstborn
14. Are numbered by their families
21. The families, number, and charge of the Gershonites
27. Of the Kohathites
33. Of the Merarites
38. The place and charge of Moses and Aaron
40. The firstborn are freed by the Levites
44. The balances are refunded

Berean Study Bible

For all the firstborn are Mine
The phrase "all the firstborn are Mine" signifies God's sovereign claim over the firstborn of Israel. In the Hebrew context, the firstborn held a place of prominence and responsibility within the family structure. The Hebrew word for "firstborn" is "bekor," which denotes not only birth order but also a special status of inheritance and leadership. This declaration by God underscores His authority and the special consecration of the firstborn to His service, reflecting the broader biblical theme of God's ownership and lordship over all creation.

on the day I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt
This phrase recalls the pivotal event of the Passover, where God executed judgment on Egypt by striking down the firstborn, as recorded in Exodus 12. The Hebrew verb "nakah," translated as "struck down," conveys a decisive act of divine judgment. This historical event is foundational in Israel's identity, marking their deliverance from slavery and God's power over the gods of Egypt. It serves as a reminder of God's justice and mercy, as He spared the Israelites through the blood of the Passover lamb, a foreshadowing of Christ's sacrificial death.

I sanctified them for Myself
The term "sanctified" comes from the Hebrew root "qadash," meaning to set apart or make holy. In this context, God is declaring that He has set apart the firstborn for His purposes. This sanctification is not merely a ritualistic act but a divine claim and dedication to God's service. It reflects the broader biblical principle that God's people are called to be holy and set apart for His glory. This sanctification of the firstborn is a precursor to the establishment of the Levitical priesthood, which would serve as mediators between God and Israel, pointing ultimately to the priesthood of all believers in Christ.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(13) On the day that I smote all the firstborn.--The command given to Moses respecting the sanctification or separation of the firstborn, both of man and of beast, is recorded immediately after the account of the exodus and of the institution of the Passover (Exodus 13:1-2). It does not clearly appear, however, from the terms employed whether the sanctification or separation applied to the firstborn then in existence--which appears to be by far the more probable supposition--or whether, as some suppose, the command was simply prospective. The whole nation of Israel is described in Exodus 4:22 as the Lord's firstborn son, and the firstborn sons appear to have been regarded in the light of representatives of the entire nation.

Mine shall they be: I am the Lord.--Or, They shall be (i.e., belong) to me, (even) to me, Jehovah. (Comp. Genesis 4:26 : "And to Seth, to him also." Literally, And to Seth, even him.)

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

because
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

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

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

[are] Mine.
לִי֮ (lî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew

On the day
בְּיוֹם֩ (bə·yō·wm)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3117: A day

I struck down
הַכֹּתִ֨י (hak·kō·ṯî)
Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5221: To strike

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

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

I consecrated
הִקְדַּ֨שְׁתִּי (hiq·daš·tî)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 6942: To be set apart or consecrated

to Myself
לִ֤י (lî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew

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

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

in Israel,
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (bə·yiś·rā·’êl)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

both man
מֵאָדָ֖ם (mê·’ā·ḏām)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being

and
עַד־ (‘aḏ-)
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

They are Mine;
יִהְי֖וּ (yih·yū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

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

am the LORD.”
יְהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

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OT Law: Numbers 3:13 For all the firstborn are mine (Nu Num.)