You must not hold back offerings from your granaries or vats.This command emphasizes the importance of giving to God from the firstfruits of one's labor. In ancient Israel, agriculture was a primary means of sustenance, and granaries and vats represented the storage of grain and wine, essential commodities. The act of offering from these resources was a tangible acknowledgment of God's provision and sovereignty. This principle is echoed in
Proverbs 3:9, which instructs believers to honor the Lord with their wealth and the firstfruits of all their crops. The practice of offering firstfruits is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, symbolizing trust in God's continued provision and a heart of gratitude.
You are to give Me the firstborn of your sons.
The dedication of the firstborn sons to God is rooted in the historical context of the Exodus, where God spared the firstborn of Israel during the final plague in Egypt (Exodus 12:12-13). This act of consecration served as a perpetual reminder of God's deliverance and the covenant relationship between God and Israel. The firstborn son held a place of special significance in the family, often receiving a double portion of the inheritance and carrying on the family name. By requiring the firstborn to be given to Him, God was asserting His claim over all aspects of life and lineage. This command also foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, God's firstborn Son, who was given for the redemption of humanity (John 3:16). The practice of redeeming the firstborn, as outlined inNumbers 18:15-16, further illustrates the concept of substitutionary atonement, a key theme in Christian theology.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
God (Yahweh)The speaker of the command, emphasizing His sovereignty and rightful claim over the firstfruits and firstborn.
2.
IsraelitesThe recipients of the law, who are instructed to offer the firstfruits and firstborn to God.
3.
Firstborn SonsSymbolic of God's claim over the first and best, representing a significant aspect of Israelite family and religious life.
4.
Granaries and VatsRepresent the agricultural produce and wealth of the Israelites, from which offerings are to be made.
5.
OfferingsThe act of giving back to God what is His, acknowledging His provision and lordship.
Teaching Points
Acknowledging God's SovereigntyRecognize that everything we have is from God, and He deserves the first and best of our resources.
The Principle of FirstfruitsGiving the firstfruits is a tangible expression of faith and trust in God's provision.
Holistic WorshipWorship is not just a spiritual act but involves our material possessions and daily lives.
Generational DedicationThe dedication of the firstborn signifies the importance of committing our families to God.
Faith in ActionObedience in giving reflects our faith and trust in God's promises and provision.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Exodus 22:29?
2.How can we honor God with our "firstfruits" in today's context?
3.What does Exodus 22:29 teach about prioritizing God in our resources?
4.How does Exodus 22:29 connect with Proverbs 3:9 about honoring God?
5.Why is giving "firstfruits" significant in demonstrating faith and trust in God?
6.How can we apply the principle of "firstfruits" in our daily lives?
7.What does Exodus 22:29 mean by "You must not hold back offerings from your granaries or vats"?
8.How does Exodus 22:29 relate to the concept of firstfruits in the Bible?
9.Why is the command in Exodus 22:29 significant for understanding Old Testament sacrificial practices?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 22?
11.Why did God kill Egypt's firstborn children?
12.Exodus 22:29-30: Is there archaeological or historical evidence that supports the command to dedicate the firstborn, and does it conflict with other biblical instructions?
13.Exodus 12:29 - How can a just and loving God sanction the killing of innocent firstborn children?
14.What does 'Jesus took our place' mean?What Does Exodus 22:29 Mean
You must not hold back offerings• God commands immediate, wholehearted generosity; delaying gifts reveals a divided heart (cf.Malachi 3:8-10;Acts 5:1-4).
• Firstfruits giving acknowledges Him as Owner of all (Proverbs 3:9-10).
• Obedience invites His provision, not loss (2 Corinthians 9:6-8).
from your granaries or vats• “Granaries” picture harvested grain; “vats” represent pressed wine—basic staples of life (Deuteronomy 11:14).
• Every sphere of increase belongs to the Lord, whether field or vineyard (Deuteronomy 14:22-23).
• Holding nothing back keeps the worshiper’s gratitude fresh and rescues the heart from idolatry of material security (Matthew 6:19-21).
• He promises to bless the storehouse that stays open-handed (Deuteronomy 28:8;Proverbs 11:24-25).
You are to give Me the firstborn of your sons• The firstborn symbolize the whole family; dedicating them declares that every child is God’s gift (Exodus 13:1-2).
• Unlike animals, firstborn sons were redeemed with a substitute sacrifice (Exodus 34:19-20), foreshadowing Christ, the ultimate Substitute (1 Peter 1:18-19).
• This practice kept Israel mindful of their deliverance at Passover, when God spared Israel’s firstborn by the lamb’s blood (Exodus 12:12-13;Numbers 3:13).
• Present-day parents similarly entrust their children to the Lord’s purposes, recognizing His rightful claim on their lives (Luke 2:22-23).
summaryGod’s directive inExodus 22:29 calls His people to prompt, wholehearted surrender of possessions and family to Him. By offering firstfruits and redeeming firstborn sons, believers confess that everything they have—food, wealth, children—already belongs to the Lord. Quick obedience invites His promised provision, guards against greed, and keeps the story of redemption central in daily life.
(29)
The first of thy ripe fruits.--Heb.,
of thy fulness."Firstfruits" were the spontaneous tribute of natural piety among almost all nations. They were called by the Greeks
???????, by the Romans
primitive.Abel's offering (
Genesis 4:4) was one of the "firstlings of his flock," and Cain's probably one of firstfruits. In the present passage it is assumed that firstfruits are due, and the stress is laid upon offering them promptly, without "delay." Delay would show a grudging spirit.
Of thy liquors.--As wine and oil. (CompareNehemiah 10:37;Nehemiah 10:39.)
The firstborn of thy sons.--See the Note onExodus 13:2; and on the means of redeeming firstborn sons, seeExodus 13:13, and Num. 17:15, 16. . . .
Verses 29, 30. -
Law concerning first-fruits. God required as first-fruits from his people,
1. The first-born of their children;
2. The firstborn of all their cattle; and
3. The first of all the produce of their lands, . . .
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
You must notלֹ֣א(lō)Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, nohold backתְאַחֵ֑ר(ṯə·’a·ḥêr)Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 309:To loiter, to procrastinate[offerings] from your granariesמְלֵאָתְךָ֥(mə·lê·’ā·ṯə·ḵā)Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 4395:Something fulfilled, abundanceor vats.וְדִמְעֲךָ֖(wə·ḏim·‘ă·ḵā)Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1831:A tear, juiceYou are to giveתִּתֶּן־(tit·ten-)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 5414:To give, put, setMeלִּֽי׃(lî)Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrewthe firstbornבְּכ֥וֹר(bə·ḵō·wr)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1060:Firstborn, chiefof your sons.בָּנֶ֖יךָ(bā·ne·ḵā)Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1121:A son
Links
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OT Law: Exodus 22:29 You shall not delay to offer (Exo. Ex) 
