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.
When Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the LORD killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt - both the firstborn of people and the firstborn of animals. That's why I sacrifice to the LORD every firstborn male animal, but I buy back all the firstborn of my children.
God is explaining why the Israelites must dedicate their firstborn to Him - because He spared their firstborn when He struck down Egypt's firstborn to free His people.
📚 Historical Context
This verse refers to the final plague God sent upon Egypt - the death of all firstborn - which finally convinced Pharaoh to release the Israelites from slavery. As a result of this miraculous deliverance, God established that all firstborn males (both human and animal) belonged to Him, though human firstborn could be 'redeemed' through a substitute offering.
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