One verse. Three ways to understand.
For all the firstborn among the people of Israel belong to me, both people and animals. On the day I struck down every firstborn in the land of Egypt, I set them apart as holy for myself.
God is declaring that all firstborn Israelites belong to Him because He saved them when He killed Egypt's firstborn during the final plague.
These are AI-assisted adaptations, not separate Bible editions. Compare them with the KJV source and read our methodology. How these readings are made →
Read the KJV source
King James Version · EnglishFor all the firstborn of the children of Israel are mine, both man and beast: on the day that I smote every firstborn in the land of Egypt I sanctified them for myself.Ask the AI Assistant
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📚 Historical Context
In the book of Exodus, God delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt through a series of plagues, with the final one being the death of the firstborn sons of the Egyptians, which forced Pharaoh to release them. This event established God's claim on the firstborn of Israel as a sign of His redemption and ownership, reminding them of His power and protection. Later, in Numbers, this principle is applied as the Levites are set apart to serve in the tabernacle in place of the firstborn.