New International VersionSet apart for the LORD your God every firstborn male of your herds and flocks. Do not put the firstborn of your cows to work, and do not shear the firstborn of your sheep.
New Living Translation“You must set aside for the LORD your God all the firstborn males from your flocks and herds. Do not use the firstborn of your herds to work your fields, and do not shear the firstborn of your flocks.
English Standard Version“All the firstborn males that are born of your herd and flock you shall dedicate to the LORD your God. You shall do no work with the firstborn of your herd, nor shear the firstborn of your flock.
Berean Standard BibleYou 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.
King James BibleAll the firstling males that come of thy herd and of thy flock thou shalt sanctify unto the LORD thy God: thou shalt do no work with the firstling of thy bullock, nor shear the firstling of thy sheep.
New King James Version“All the firstborn males that come from your herd and your flock you shall sanctify to the LORD your God; you shall do no work with the firstborn of your herd, nor shear the firstborn of your flock.
New American Standard Bible“You shall consecrate to the LORD your God all the firstborn males that are born in your herd and in your flock; you shall not work with the firstborn of your herd, nor shear the firstborn of your flock.
NASB 1995“You shall consecrate to the LORD your God all the firstborn males that are born of your herd and of your flock; you shall not work with the firstborn of your herd, nor shear the firstborn of your flock.
NASB 1977“You shall consecrate to the LORD your God all the first-born males that are born of your herd and of your flock; you shall not work with the first-born of your herd, nor shear the first-born of your flock.
Legacy Standard Bible“You shall set apart as holy to Yahweh your God all the firstborn males that are born of your herd and of your flock; you shall not work with the firstborn of your herd nor shear the firstborn of your flock.
Amplified Bible“You shall consecrate (set apart) to the LORD your God all the firstborn males that are born of your herd and flock. You shall not work with the firstborn of your herd, nor shear the firstborn of your flock.
Christian Standard Bible“Consecrate to the LORD your God every firstborn male produced by your herd and flock. You are not to put the firstborn of your oxen to work or shear the firstborn of your flock.
Holman Christian Standard BibleYou must consecrate to the LORD your God every firstborn male produced by your herd and flock. You are not to put the firstborn of your oxen to work or shear the firstborn of your flock.
American Standard VersionAll the firstling males that are born of thy herd and of thy flock thou shalt sanctify unto Jehovah thy God: thou shalt do no work with the firstling of thy herd, nor shear the firstling of thy flock.
Contemporary English VersionIf the first-born animal of a cow or sheep or goat is a male, it must be given to the LORD. Don't put first-born cattle to work or cut wool from first-born sheep.
English Revised VersionAll the firstling males that are born of thy herd and of thy flock thou shalt sanctify unto the LORD thy God: thou shalt do no work with the firstling of thine ox, nor shear the firstling of thy flock.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationYou must dedicate every firstborn male from your herds and flocks to the LORD your God. Never use a firstborn ox for work, and never shear a firstborn sheep.
Good News Translation"Set aside for the LORD your God all the first-born males of your cattle and sheep; don't use any of these cattle for work and don't shear any of these sheep.
International Standard Version"Set apart for the LORD your God every firstborn male among your herd and flock. You must not put the firstborn of your ox to work or shear the firstborn of your flock.
NET BibleYou must set apart for the LORD your God every firstborn male born to your herds and flocks. You must not work the firstborn of your bulls or shear the firstborn of your flocks.
New Heart English BibleAll the firstborn males that are born of your herd and of your flock you shall sanctify to the LORD your God: you shall do no work with the firstborn of your herd, nor shear the firstborn of your flock.
Webster's Bible TranslationAll the firstling males that come of thy herd and of thy flock thou shalt sanctify to the LORD thy God: thou shalt do no work with the firstling of thy bullock, nor shear the firstling of thy sheep. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleYou 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.
World English BibleYou shall dedicate all the firstborn males that are born of your herd and of your flock to Yahweh your God. You shall do no work with the firstborn of your herd, nor shear the firstborn of your flock. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionEvery firstling that is born in your herd and in your flock—you sanctify the male to your God YHWH; you do not work with the firstling of your ox, nor shear the firstling of your flock;
Young's Literal Translation 'Every firstling that is born in thy herd and in thy flock -- the male thou dost sanctify to Jehovah thy God; thou dost not work with the firstling of thine ox, nor shear the firstling of thy flock;
Smith's Literal TranslationAll the first-born that shall be brought forth among thy cattle and among thy sheep, the male thou shalt consecrate to Jehovah thy God: thou shalt not work with the first-born of thy bullock, and thou shalt not shear first-born of thy sheep. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleOf the firstlings, that come of thy herds and thy sheep, thou shalt sanctify to the Lord thy God whatsoever is of the male sex. Thou shalt not work with the firstling of a bullock, and thou shalt not shear the firstlings of thy sheep.
Catholic Public Domain VersionOf the firstborn, those born from your herds and sheep, you shall sanctify to the Lord your God whatever is of the male sex. You shall not put the firstborn of the oxen to work, nor shall you shear the firstborn of the sheep.
New American BibleYou shall consecrate to the LORD, your God, every male firstling born in your herd and in your flock. You shall not work the firstlings of your cattle, nor shear the firstlings of your flock.
New Revised Standard VersionEvery firstling male born of your herd and flock you shall consecrate to the LORD your God; you shall not do work with your firstling ox nor shear the firstling of your flock. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAll the firstling males that are born of your herds and of your flock you shall sanctify to the LORD your God; you shall do no work with the firstlings of your oxen, nor shear the firstlings of your sheep.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd every first born that will be born among your cattle and among your herds, hallow the male to LORD JEHOVAH your God; you shall not work with the firstborn of your cattle and you shall not shear the first born of your sheep. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917All the firstling males that are born of thy herd and of thy flock thou shalt sanctify unto the LORD thy God; thou shalt do no work with the firstling of thine ox, nor shear the firstling of thy flock.
Brenton Septuagint TranslationEvery first-born that shall be born among thy kine and thy sheep, thou shalt sanctify the males to the Lord thy God; thou shalt not work with thy first-born calf, and thou shalt not shear the first-born of thy sheep.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Firstborn Animals19You must set apartto the LORDyour Godeveryfirstbornmaleproducedby your herdsand flocks.You are notto put the firstbornof your oxento work,norare you to shearthe firstbornof your flock.20Each year you and your household are to eat it before the LORD your God in the place the LORD will choose.…
Cross References Exodus 13:12-13you are to present to the LORD the firstborn male of every womb. All the firstborn males of your livestock belong to the LORD. / You must redeem every firstborn donkey with a lamb, and if you do not redeem it, you are to break its neck. And every firstborn of your sons you must redeem.
Exodus 34:19-20The 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 27:26-27But 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. / But if it is among the unclean animals, then he may redeem it according to your valuation and add a fifth of its value. If it is not redeemed, then it shall be sold according to your valuation.
Numbers 18:17-18But you must not redeem the firstborn of an ox, a sheep, or a goat; they are holy. You are to splatter their blood on the altar and burn their fat as a food offering, a pleasing aroma to the LORD. / And their meat belongs to you, just as the breast and right thigh of the wave offering belong to you.
Deuteronomy 12:6To that place you are to bring your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and heave offerings, your vow offerings and freewill offerings, as well as the firstborn of your herds and flocks.
Deuteronomy 12:17Within your gates you must not eat the tithe of your grain or new wine or oil, the firstborn of your herds or flocks, any of the offerings that you have vowed to give, or your freewill offerings or special gifts.
Deuteronomy 14:23And you are to eat a tenth of your grain, new wine, and oil, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks, in the presence of the LORD your God at the place He will choose as a dwelling for His Name, so that you may learn to fear the LORD your God always.
Deuteronomy 14:26Then you may spend the money on anything you desire: cattle, sheep, wine, strong drink, or anything you wish. You are to feast there in the presence of the LORD your God and rejoice with your household.
1 Samuel 1:24-28Once she had weaned him, Hannah took the boy with her, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine. Though the boy was still young, she brought him to the house of the LORD at Shiloh. / And when they had slaughtered the bull, they brought the boy to Eli. / “Please, my lord,” said Hannah, “as surely as you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the LORD. ...
2 Chronicles 31:6And the Israelites and Judahites who lived in the cities of Judah also brought a tithe of their herds and flocks and a tithe of the holy things consecrated to the LORD their God, and they laid them in large heaps.
Nehemiah 10:36And we will bring the firstborn of our sons and our livestock, as it is written in the Law, and will bring the firstborn of our herds and flocks to the house of our God, to the priests who minister in the house of our God.
Isaiah 66:20And they will bring all your brothers from all the nations as a gift to the LORD on horses and chariots and wagons, on mules and camels, to My holy mountain Jerusalem,” says the LORD, “just as the Israelites bring an offering in a clean vessel to the house of the LORD.”
Malachi 1:14“But cursed is the deceiver who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but sacrifices a defective animal to the Lord. For I am a great King,” says the LORD of Hosts, “and My name is to be feared among the nations.
Luke 2:22-24And when the time of purification according to the Law of Moses was complete, His parents brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord / (as it is written in the Law of the Lord: “Every firstborn male shall be consecrated to the Lord”), / and to offer the sacrifice specified in the Law of the Lord: “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
Luke 15:23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let us feast and celebrate.
Treasury of Scripture All the firstling males that come of your herd and of your flock you shall sanctify to the LORD your God: you shall do no work with the firstling of your bullock, nor shear the firstling of your sheep. the firstling 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: itis mine… Exodus 34:19 All that openeth the matrixis mine; and every firstling among thy cattle,whether ox or sheep,that is male. Leviticus 27:26 Only the firstling of the beasts, which should be the LORD'S firstling, no man shall sanctify it; whetherit be ox, or sheep: itis the LORD'S. thou shalt do Deuteronomy 12:5-7,17 But unto the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there,even unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come: … Deuteronomy 14:23 And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always. Deuteronomy 16:11,14 And thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite thatis within thy gates, and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, thatare among you, in the place which the LORD thy God hath chosen to place his name there… Jump to Previous ApartBirthBornBullockConsecrateHerdHerdsLambMaleMalesOxOxenSanctifyShearSheepWoolWorkJump to Next ApartBirthBornBullockConsecrateHerdHerdsLambMaleMalesOxOxenSanctifyShearSheepWoolWorkDeuteronomy 15 1.The seventh year a year of release for the poor7.one must be generous in lending or giving12.A Hebrew servant, except by choice, must be freed in the seventh year19.All firstborn males of the cattle are to be sanctified unto the Lord.You must set apart to the LORD your God every firstborn male produced by your herds and flocks.The concept of setting apart the firstborn is rooted in the Exodus narrative, where God spared the firstborn of Israel during the final plague in Egypt ( Exodus 13:2). This act of consecration is a reminder of God's deliverance and His claim over Israel. The firstborn males of herds and flocks symbolize the best and the beginning of God's provision, acknowledging His sovereignty and blessing. This practice also foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the "firstborn over all creation" ( Colossians 1:15), who was set apart for the redemption of humanity. You are not to put the firstborn of your oxen to work,
The prohibition against using the firstborn oxen for labor underscores the principle of holiness and dedication to God. By refraining from using these animals for work, the Israelites demonstrated their trust in God's provision and their commitment to honoring Him with their best. This reflects the broader biblical theme of resting in God's provision, as seen in the Sabbath laws (Exodus 20:8-11). The firstborn's consecration is a tangible expression of faith, setting a precedent for offering one's best to God without seeking personal gain. nor are you to shear the firstborn of your flock.
Similarly, the instruction not to shear the firstborn of the flock emphasizes the complete dedication of these animals to God. Shearing, a common practice for obtaining wool, represents personal benefit and economic gain. By abstaining from shearing, the Israelites acknowledged that the firstborn belonged entirely to God, reinforcing the idea of sacrificial giving. This act of consecration parallels the New Testament call for believers to offer themselves as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God (Romans 12:1). The firstborn's unshorn state symbolizes purity and the undivided devotion expected of God's people. Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe author of Deuteronomy, delivering God's laws to the Israelites. 2. The IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, receiving instructions on how to live in covenant with Him. 3. The Promised LandThe land of Canaan, where the Israelites are headed and where these laws will be practiced. 4. The FirstbornRefers to the firstborn males of the herds and flocks, which are to be set apart for the Lord. 5. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant God of Israel, to whom the firstborn are dedicated. Teaching Points Dedication to GodThe firstborn of the herds and flocks symbolize the best and the first of what we have, which should be dedicated to God. This teaches us to prioritize God in our lives. Holiness and SeparationThe act of setting apart the firstborn underscores the concept of holiness—being set apart for God's purposes. Believers are called to live lives that are distinct and dedicated to God. Trust in God's ProvisionBy giving the firstborn to God, the Israelites demonstrated trust in His provision. We are encouraged to trust God with our resources, believing He will provide for our needs. Symbol of RedemptionThe firstborn can be seen as a symbol of redemption, pointing to Christ as the firstborn over all creation who redeems us. This deepens our understanding of Christ's sacrificial role. Obedience to God's CommandsThe specific instructions about not working or shearing the firstborn highlight the importance of obedience to God's commands, even when they may not seem practical or beneficial from a human perspective. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Deuteronomy 15:19?
2.How does Deuteronomy 15:19 emphasize the importance of firstborn animals to God?
3.What does setting apart firstborn animals teach about God's provision and blessings?
4.How does this verse connect to the concept of firstfruits in Scripture?
5.In what ways can we prioritize God with our resources today?
6.How can we apply the principle of dedicating firstborns in our daily lives?
7.Why does Deuteronomy 15:19 emphasize the sanctity of firstborn animals?
8.How does Deuteronomy 15:19 relate to the concept of sacrifice in the Old Testament?
9.What is the historical context of Deuteronomy 15:19 regarding firstborn animals?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 15?
11.What does the Bible say about the Angel of Death?
12.Why does Numbers 18:15–19 differ in certain details from parallel instructions in Deuteronomy regarding firstborn offerings, and how can these discrepancies be reconciled?
13.Why is there no mention of any other civilizations, such as Babylon or Egypt, being judged in the same manner as described in Ezekiel 22:15, despite historical records of their own atrocities?
14.Exodus 31:15 - Why does a just and loving God mandate the death penalty for Sabbath-breaking, and how is that reconciled with later biblical teachings on mercy?What Does Deuteronomy 15:19 Mean You must set apart to the LORD your God every firstborn male produced by your herds and flocks• “Set apart” means these animals belong exclusively to God; Israel does not treat them as ordinary property (Exodus 13:1–2, 12). • The command recalls God’s rescue of the firstborn during the Passover; dedicating every firstborn is a perpetual testimony of redemption (Exodus 12:12–13;Numbers 3:13). • Giving the “first” underscores that God deserves the best, not leftovers (Proverbs 3:9;Malachi 1:14). • By literally handing over the firstborn, every generation reenacts faith and gratitude, shaping a culture that remembers the LORD’s saving acts (Deuteronomy 6:20–23).
You are not to put the firstborn of your oxen to work• Oxen were Israel’s tractors; refusing to harness a firstborn costs real productivity. The act places obedience above economic calculation (Exodus 34:19;Luke 14:26–27 on costly discipleship). • The animal stays unyoked until it is brought for the required sacrificial meal at the sanctuary (Deuteronomy 15:20). • This protects the purity of the offering—no mixed motives, no “used goods” (Malachi 1:8). • Practically, it trains hearts to trust God to provide strength for the rest of the herd (Psalm 20:7).
nor are you to shear the firstborn of your flock• Wool was income and clothing. Not shearing means surrendering immediate profit for worship (Deuteronomy 18:3 shows priests receiving first wool; here God receives it uncut). • The animal’s value remains whole for the sacrificial celebration, symbolizing wholeness of devotion (Leviticus 22:20–21). • This principle anticipates giving God unhindered service—mirrored ultimately in Christ, the unblemished Firstborn offered without reserve (Hebrews 9:14;Colossians 1:18). • It cultivates a mindset that nothing we have is ours to exploit; everything is stewarded under God’s ownership (Psalm 24:1).
summaryDeuteronomy 15:19 calls Israel to dedicate every firstborn male from herd or flock wholly to the LORD—no laboring, no shearing, no personal gain. The statute anchors Israel’s memory of redemption, trains the heart in first-place worship, and foreshadows the perfect Firstborn, Jesus Christ, offered for our salvation. Giving God the first and best—before seeing how the rest of the year turns out—remains a timeless pattern of trust, gratitude, and wholehearted obedience. (19) All the firstling males. . . . thou shalt sanctify-- i.e.,recognise them as the property of Jehovah by not using them for ordinary purposes. In Leviticus 27:26 we read, "No man shall sanctify it"-- i.e.,shall make it the subject of a special vow or dedication, because it already belongs to Jehovah. This is the only interpretation consistent with the context in Leviticus; for Deuteronomy 27 deals entirely with "voluntary" offerings, which are in a sense outside the Law. (See Notes at the commencement of Deuteronomy 28, 29). Verses 19-23. - In Deuteronomy 12:6, 17 and in Deuteronomy 14:23, reference is made to sacrificial meals, and to the appropriation of the firstlings of the herds and flocks thereto; Moses here reverts to this, and gives a fuller exposition of it. It is enjoined that, as all the firstborn were to be sanctified to the Lord ( Exodus 13:2-13), they were not to work with the firstborn of their cattle, either by yoking the bullock to the plough or wagon or by shearing the sheep: these belonged to God, and were not to be put to any vulgar uses of men; year by year they were to be brought to the sanctuary, offered as sacrifices, and eaten before the Lord. If any of the firstborn animals were blind, or lame, or in any way blemished, such was not to be offered to the Lord, but might be used as food in their ordinary places of residence (cf. Leviticus 22:19, etc.).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew You must set apartתַּקְדִּ֖ישׁ(taq·dîš)Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 6942:To be set apart or consecratedto the LORDלַיהוָ֣ה(Yah·weh)Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israelyour Godאֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ(’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā)Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 430:gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlativeeveryכָּֽל־(kāl-)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605:The whole, all, any, everyfirstbornהַבְּכ֡וֹר(hab·bə·ḵō·wr)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1060:Firstborn, chiefmaleהַזָּכָ֔ר(haz·zā·ḵār)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2145:Remembered, a maleproducedיִוָּלֵ֨ד(yiw·wā·lêḏ)Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3205:To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineageby your herdsבִּבְקָרְךָ֤(biḇ·qā·rə·ḵā)Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1241:Beef cattle, ox, a herdand flocks.וּבְצֹֽאנְךָ֙(ū·ḇə·ṣō·nə·ḵā)Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 6629:Small cattle, sheep and goats, flockYou are notלֹ֤א(lō)Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, noto put the firstbornבִּבְכֹ֣ר(biḇ·ḵōr)Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1060:Firstborn, chiefof your oxenשׁוֹרֶ֔ךָ(šō·w·re·ḵā)Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 7794:A head of cattle (bullock, ox, etcetera)to workתַעֲבֹד֙(ṯa·‘ă·ḇōḏ)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 5647:To work, to serve, till, enslave[or]וְלֹ֥א(wə·lō)Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, noshearתָגֹ֖ז(ṯā·ḡōz)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 1494:To cut off, to shear a, flock, shave the hair, to destroy an enemythe firstbornבְּכ֥וֹר(bə·ḵō·wr)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1060:Firstborn, chiefof your flock.צֹאנֶֽךָ׃(ṣō·ne·ḵā)Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 6629:Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock
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OT Law: Deuteronomy 15:19 All the firstborn males that are born (Deut. De Du) |
