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.
Because all the firstborn belong to me; for on the day that I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I set apart for myself all the firstborn in Israel, both people and animals: they shall be mine: I am the LORD.
God is declaring that all firstborn Israelites belong to Him because He spared them during the final plague in Egypt when He killed the Egyptian firstborn.
📚 Historical Context
During the Exodus from Egypt, God struck down the firstborn of the Egyptians as the final plague to secure the Israelites' release from slavery, demonstrating His power and judgment. In response, God claimed all the firstborn of Israel, both people and animals, as His own to signify their special dedication to Him. This arrangement later involved the Levites taking on roles of service in the tabernacle on behalf of the firstborn.
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