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◄ Numbers 18:17►

New International Version
“But you must not redeem the firstborn of a cow, a sheep or a goat; they are holy. Splash their blood against the altar and burn their fat as a food offering, an aroma pleasing to the LORD.

New Living Translation
“However, you may not redeem the firstborn of cattle, sheep, or goats. They are holy and have been set apart for the LORD. Sprinkle their blood on the altar, and burn their fat as a special gift, a pleasing aroma to the LORD.

English Standard Version
But the firstborn of a cow, or the firstborn of a sheep, or the firstborn of a goat, you shall not redeem; they are holy. You shall sprinkle their blood on the altar and shall burn their fat as a food offering, with a pleasing aroma to the LORD.

Berean Standard Bible
But 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.

King James Bible
But the firstling of a cow, or the firstling of a sheep, or the firstling of a goat, thou shalt not redeem; theyare holy: thou shalt sprinkle their blood upon the altar, and shalt burn their fatfor an offering made by fire, for a sweet savour unto the LORD.

New King James Version
But the firstborn of a cow, the firstborn of a sheep, or the firstborn of a goat you shall not redeem; theyare holy. You shall sprinkle their blood on the altar, and burn their fatas an offering made by fire for a sweet aroma to the LORD.

New American Standard Bible
But the firstborn of an ox, the firstborn of a sheep, or the firstborn of a goat, you shall not redeem; they are holy. You shall sprinkle their blood on the altar and offer up their fat in smokeas an offering by fire, for a soothing aroma to the LORD.

NASB 1995
“But the firstborn of an ox or the firstborn of a sheep or the firstborn of a goat, you shall not redeem; they are holy. You shall sprinkle their blood on the altar and shall offer up their fat in smoke as an offering by fire, for a soothing aroma to the LORD.

NASB 1977
“But the first-born of an ox or the first-born of a sheep or the first-born of a goat, you shall not redeem; they are holy. You shall sprinkle their blood on the altar and shall offer up their fat in smokeas an offering by fire, for a soothing aroma to the LORD.

Legacy Standard Bible
But the firstborn of an ox or the firstborn of a sheep or the firstborn of a goat, you shall not redeem; they are holy. You shall splash their blood on the altar and shall offer up their fat in smokeas an offering by fire, for a soothing aroma to Yahweh.

Amplified Bible
But the firstborn of a cow or of a sheep or of a goat you shall not redeem; they are holy [and belong to the LORD]. You shall sprinkle their blood on the altar and shall offer up their fat in smoke as an offering by fire, for a sweetand soothing aroma to the LORD.

Christian Standard Bible
“However, 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 for a pleasing aroma to the LORD.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
However, you must not redeem the firstborn of an ox, a sheep, or a goat; they are holy. You are to sprinkle their blood on the altar and burn their fat as a fire offering for a pleasing aroma to the LORD.

American Standard Version
But the firstling of a cow, or the firstling of a sheep, or the firstling of a goat, thou shalt not redeem; they are holy: thou shalt sprinkle their blood upon the altar, and shalt burn their fat for an offering made by fire, for a sweet savor unto Jehovah.

Contemporary English Version
However, all first-born cattle, sheep, and goats belong to me and cannot be bought back. Splatter their blood on the altar and send their fat up in smoke, so I can smell it and be pleased.

English Revised Version
But the firstling of an ox, or the firstling of a sheep, or the firstling of a goat, thou shalt not redeem; they are holy: thou shalt sprinkle their blood upon the altar, and shalt burn their fat for an offering made by fire, for a sweet savour unto the LORD.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"But you must never buy back a firstborn ox, sheep, or goat. They are holy. Throw the blood from these animals against the altar, and burn the fat as an offering by fire, a soothing aroma to the LORD.

Good News Translation
But the first-born of cows, sheep, and goats are not to be bought back; they belong completely to me and are to be sacrificed. Throw their blood against the altar and burn their fat as a food offering, an odor pleasing to me.

International Standard Version
But you are not to redeem the firstborn of a cow, sheep, or a female goat. They are holy. You are to sprinkle their blood on the altar and burn their fat for an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma to the LORD.

NET Bible
But you must not redeem the firstborn of a cow or a sheep or a goat; they are holy. You must splash their blood on the altar and burn their fat for an offering made by fire for a pleasing aroma to the LORD.

New Heart English Bible
"But you shall not redeem the firstborn of a cow, or the firstborn of a sheep, or the firstborn of a goat. They are holy. You shall sprinkle their blood on the altar, and shall burn their fat for an offering made by fire, for a pleasant aroma to the LORD.

Webster's Bible Translation
But the firstling of a cow, or the firstling of a sheep, or the firstling of a goat, thou shalt not redeem; they are holy: thou shalt sprinkle their blood upon the altar, and shalt burn their fat for an offering made by fire, for a sweet savor to the LORD.

Majority Text Translations

Majority Standard Bible
But 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.

World English Bible
“But you shall not redeem the firstborn of a cow, or the firstborn of a sheep, or the firstborn of a goat. They are holy. You shall sprinkle their blood on the altar, and shall burn their fat for an offering made by fire, for a pleasant aroma to Yahweh.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
Only, the firstling of a cow, or the firstling of a sheep, or the firstling of a goat, you do not ransom, they [are] holy: you sprinkle their blood on the altar, and you make incense of their fat [as] a fire-offering of refreshing fragrance to YHWH;

Young's Literal Translation
Only, the firstling of a cow, or the firstling of a sheep, or the firstling of a goat, thou dost not ransom, holy they are: their blood thou dost sprinkle on the altar, and of their fat thou makest perfume, a fire-offering of sweet fragrance to Jehovah,

Smith's Literal Translation
But the first-born of a cow, or the first-born of a sheep, or the first-born of a goat, thou shalt not redeem; they are holy: their blood shalt thou pour out upon the altar, and their fat thou shalt burn a sacrifice for an odor of sweetness to Jehovah.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
But the firstling of a cow and of a sheep and of a goat thou shalt not cause to be redeemed, because they are sanctified to the Lord. Their blood only thou shalt pour upon the altar, and their fat thou shalt burn for a most sweet odour to the Lord.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But the firstborn of a cow, or of a sheep, or of a goat, you shall not cause to be redeemed, because they have been sanctified to the Lord. Thus, their blood you shall pour out upon the altar, and their fat you shall burn as a most sweet odor to the Lord.

New American Bible
But the firstborn of cattle, or the firstborn of sheep or the firstborn of goats you shall not redeem; they are holy. Their blood you must splash on the altar and their fat you must burn as an oblation of pleasing aroma to the LORD.

New Revised Standard Version
But the firstborn of a cow, or the firstborn of a sheep, or the firstborn of a goat, you shall not redeem; they are holy. You shall dash their blood on the altar, and shall turn their fat into smoke as an offering by fire for a pleasing odor to the LORD;

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
But the firstlings of the cattle or the firstlings of the sheep or the firstlings of the goats, you shall not redeem, because they are holy; you shall sprinkle their blood upon the altar and shall burn their fat for an offering made by fire, for a sweet savour to the LORD.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
However you shall not redeem the firstborn of an ox or the firstborn of lambs and the firstborn of goats, because they are holiness, and sprinkle their blood on the altar and offer up their fat as a gift on the altar for a fragrant savor to LORD JEHOVAH.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
But the firstling of an ox, or the firstling of a sheep, or the firstling of a goat, thou shalt not redeem; they are holy: thou shalt dash their blood against the altar, and shalt make their fat smoke for an offering made by fire, for a sweet savour unto the LORD.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
But thou shalt not redeem the first-born of calves and the first-born of sheep and the first-born of goats; they are holy: and thou shalt pour their blood upon the altar, and thou shalt offer the fat as a burnt-offering for a smell of sweet savour to the Lord.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Offerings for Priests and Levites
…16You are to pay the redemption price for a month-old male according to your valuation: five shekels of silver, according to the sanctuary shekel, which is twenty gerahs.17But you must not redeem the firstborn of an ox,a sheep,or a goat;they are holy.You are to sprinkle their blood on the altar and burn their fat as an offering made by fire,a pleasing aroma to the LORD.18And their meat belongs to you, just as the breast and right thigh of the wave offering belong to you.…

Berean Standard Bible ·Download

Cross References

Exodus 13:2
“Consecrate to Me every firstborn male. The firstborn from every womb among the Israelites belongs to Me, both of man and beast.”

Exodus 13:12-13
you 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.

Leviticus 27:26
But 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.

Deuteronomy 15:19
You 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.

Deuteronomy 12:6
To 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 12:17
Within 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 14:23
And 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 14:26
Then 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.

Deuteronomy 15:21
But if an animal has a defect, is lame or blind, or has any serious flaw, you must not sacrifice it to the LORD your God.

Deuteronomy 17:1
You shall not sacrifice to the LORD your God an ox or a sheep with any defect or serious flaw, for that is detestable to the LORD your God.

Luke 2:23
(as it is written in the Law of the Lord: “Every firstborn male shall be consecrated to the Lord”),

Hebrews 12:23
in joyful assembly, to the congregation of the firstborn, enrolled in heaven. You have come to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,

Romans 8:29
For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers.

Colossians 1:15
The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

Revelation 14:4
These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they are virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever He goes. They have been redeemed from among men as firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.

Treasury of Scripture

But the firstling of a cow, or the firstling of a sheep, or the firstling of a goat, you shall not redeem; they are holy: you shall sprinkle their blood on the altar, and shall burn their fat for an offering made by fire, for a sweet smell to the LORD.

the firstling

Deuteronomy 15:19-22
All 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…

thou shall

Exodus 29:16
And thou shalt slay the ram, and thou shalt take his blood, and sprinkleit round about upon the altar.

Leviticus 3:2-5
And he shall lay his hand upon the head of his offering, and kill itat the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and Aaron's sons the priests shall sprinkle the blood upon the altar round about…

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Numbers 18

1.The charge of the priests and Levites
8.The priests, portion
21.The Levites,
25.The heave offering to the priests out of the Levites' portion

Study Bible

Book ◦ Chapter

But you must not redeem the firstborn of an ox, a sheep, or a goat;
In the context of ancient Israel, the firstborn of livestock held special significance as they were considered the best and most valuable. The command not to redeem these animals underscores their dedication to God. This reflects the broader principle of offering the first and best to God, as seen inExodus 13:2, where the firstborn of both man and beast are consecrated to the Lord. The concept of redemption, or buying back, is significant in biblical theology, pointing to the ultimate redemption through Christ, who is referred to as the firstborn over all creation (Colossians 1:15).

they are holy.
The term "holy" signifies being set apart for God’s purposes. InLeviticus 27:26, it is stated that the firstborn of animals already belong to the Lord and cannot be consecrated again. This holiness is a reminder of God's ownership and the Israelites' covenant relationship with Him. The holiness of these animals prefigures the holiness required of believers, as seen in1 Peter 1:16, "Be holy, because I am holy."

You are to splatter their blood on the altar
The act of splattering blood on the altar is a key component of sacrificial rituals, symbolizing atonement and purification.Leviticus 17:11 explains that the life of the flesh is in the blood, and it is given on the altar to make atonement for souls. This foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, whose blood was shed for the remission of sins (Hebrews 9:22).

and burn their fat as a food offering,
Burning the fat of the sacrifice was considered the offering of the best part to God, as fat was associated with richness and abundance.Leviticus 3:16 states that all the fat is the Lord's, emphasizing the idea of giving God the choicest portions. This act of burning the fat symbolizes the complete dedication and surrender to God.

a pleasing aroma to the LORD.
The phrase "a pleasing aroma" is frequently used in the Old Testament to describe sacrifices that are acceptable to God (Genesis 8:21,Exodus 29:18). It signifies God's satisfaction with the offering and the worshiper's obedience. This concept is echoed in the New Testament, where Christ's sacrifice is described as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God (Ephesians 5:2), highlighting the fulfillment of the sacrificial system in Jesus.

Persons / Places / Events

1.The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who establishes the laws and regulations for His people.

2.Aaron and the Priests
The recipients of the instructions inNumbers 18, responsible for the sacrificial system and maintaining the holiness of the offerings.

3.The Firstborn of Livestock
Specific animals (ox, sheep, goat) that are set apart as holy and not to be redeemed, but offered to God.

4.The Altar
The sacred place where sacrifices are made, symbolizing the presence and worship of God.

5.The Tabernacle
The dwelling place of God among His people, where the altar is located and sacrifices are performed.

Teaching Points

Holiness of Offerings
The firstborn animals are set apart as holy, emphasizing the importance of giving God our best and recognizing His sovereignty over all creation.

Symbolism of Sacrifice
The act of sprinkling blood and burning fat signifies atonement and dedication, reminding us of the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who fulfilled the sacrificial system.

Pleasing Aroma to the LORD
Our lives, like the offerings, should be a pleasing aroma to God, characterized by obedience, worship, and devotion.

Role of the Priests
The priests' role in handling the sacrifices points to the responsibility of spiritual leaders to guide and maintain the holiness of worship.

Consecration and Redemption
While some things are consecrated and not to be redeemed, believers are redeemed by Christ, called to live consecrated lives in response to His grace.

Bible Study Questions and Answers

1.What is the meaning of Numbers 18:17?

2.How does Numbers 18:17 emphasize the sanctity of firstborn animals to God?

3.What does "you must not redeem" teach about God's ownership in Numbers 18:17?

4.How does Numbers 18:17 connect with the concept of firstfruits in Exodus 23:19?

5.How can we apply the principle of offering firstborn to God in our lives?

6.What does Numbers 18:17 reveal about God's provision for the priests and Levites?

7.Why does Numbers 18:17 emphasize the sanctity of firstborn animals?

8.How does Numbers 18:17 reflect God's covenant with the Israelites?

9.What is the theological significance of firstborn offerings in Numbers 18:17?

10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Numbers 18?

11.What does "firstborn" mean in the Bible?

12.Deuteronomy 33:8-11 assigns the Levites to priestly duties, yet biblical accounts elsewhere suggest shifts in priestly lines; how do we resolve this discrepancy?

13.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?

14.Numbers 18:8-19 outlines specific offerings for priests; are there non-biblical records confirming such detailed allocation of sacrificial portions?

What Does Numbers 18:17 Mean

But you must not redeem the firstborn of an ox, a sheep, or a goat;

God sets apart every firstborn male of ritually clean animals for Himself. Unlike humans or unclean animals (Exodus 13:13;Numbers 18:15), these firstborn may not be “bought back” with silver or a substitute. They already belong to the LORD in a unique, irrevocable way (Leviticus 27:26).

• The command protects Israel from treating holy things as negotiable assets.

• It also preserves a living reminder of the Exodus, when the firstborn in Egypt died but Israel’s were spared (Exodus 13:11-16).

• By refusing redemption, the worshiper confesses: “Everything I possess—even life that reproduces—is under God’s ownership” (Psalm 24:1).

they are holy.

Holy means “set apart exclusively for God’s use” (Leviticus 20:26). The firstborn animals cannot be diverted to farm work, family meals, or market profit.

• Holiness underscores God’s absolute right to determine how His gifts are used (Deuteronomy 14:2).

• In treating the animals as holy, Israel rehearses its own identity as “a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Exodus 19:6).

• The principle looks forward to Christ, “the firstborn over all creation” and the One consecrated for our redemption (Colossians 1:15-20).

You are to splatter their blood on the altar

At the tabernacle, the priest applied the blood to the bronze altar, signifying life poured out before God (Leviticus 17:11).

• Blood represents life given back to its Source; it atones and cleanses (Hebrews 9:22).

• The action teaches that approach to a holy God always involves substitutionary sacrifice—a theme fulfilled at the cross (1 Peter 1:18-19).

• By commanding “splatter,” God shows that worship engages the senses; redemption is neither abstract nor sanitized (Leviticus 8:30).

and burn their fat as a food offering,

The choicest part, the fat, is consumed in fire for God alone (Leviticus 3:16).

• Burning declares that the richest portions belong first to the LORD (Proverbs 3:9).

• Fire speaks of purification; what is offered becomes wholly His (Hebrews 12:29).

• Calling it a “food offering” is metaphorical—God needs nothing—but it pictures fellowship: He “receives” while His people trust (Psalm 50:12-15).

a pleasing aroma to the LORD.

The smoke rising signifies worship God delights in (Genesis 8:21;Leviticus 1:9).

• “Pleasing” is relational, assuring the worshiper of divine acceptance (Ephesians 5:2).

• The sacrifice prefigures Christ, whose offering of Himself is the ultimate fragrant aroma to God.

• Every obedient act that flows from faith carries this same fragrance (2 Corinthians 2:15).

summary

Numbers 18:17 teaches that the firstborn of clean animals are God’s exclusive property, unredeemable, because He spared Israel’s firstborn and owns all life. Their blood is splattered and fat burned to portray substitution, consecration, and communion. The act rises as a sweet aroma, foreshadowing the perfect sacrifice of Christ and reminding believers that what is first and best always belongs to the LORD.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 17. - But the firstling of a cow, etc. Only those things which were not available for sacrifice could be redeemed; the rest must be offered to him that claimed them. The first-born of men belonged partially to both classes: on the one hand, they could not be sacrificed, and therefore were redeemed with money; on the other hand, they could be dedicated (being clean), and therefore had been exchanged for the Levites.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

But
אַ֣ךְ(’aḵ)
Adverb
Strong's 389:A particle of affirmation, surely

you must not
לֹ֥א(lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, no

redeem
תִפְדֶּ֖ה(ṯip̄·deh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 6299:To sever, ransom, gener, to release, preserve

the firstborn
בְּֽכוֹר־(bə·ḵō·wr-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1060:Firstborn, chief

of an ox,
שׁ֡וֹר(šō·wr)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7794:A head of cattle (bullock, ox, etcetera)

a sheep,
כֶּ֜שֶׂב(ke·śeḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3775:A young sheep

or
אֽוֹ־(’ōw-)
Conjunction
Strong's 176:Desire, if

a goat;
עֵ֛ז(‘êz)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5795:Female goat

they
הֵ֑ם(hêm)
Pronoun - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1992:They

are holy.
קֹ֣דֶשׁ(qō·ḏeš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6944:A sacred place, thing, sanctity

You are to sprinkle
תִּזְרֹ֤ק(tiz·rōq)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 2236:Be here and there, scatter, sprinkle, strew

their blood
דָּמָ֞ם(dā·mām)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1818:Blood, of man, an animal, the juice of the grape, bloodshed

on
עַל־(‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, against

the altar
הַמִּזְבֵּ֙חַ֙(ham·miz·bê·aḥ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4196:An altar

and burn
תַּקְטִ֔יר(taq·ṭîr)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 6999:To smoke, turn into fragrance by fire

their fat
חֶלְבָּ֣ם(ḥel·bām)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 2459:Fat, richest, choice part

as an offering made by fire,
אִשֶּׁ֛ה(’iš·šeh)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 801:A burnt-offering, a sacrifice

a pleasing
נִיחֹ֖חַ(nî·ḥō·aḥ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5207:A quieting, soothing, tranquilizing

aroma
לְרֵ֥יחַ(lə·rê·aḥ)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7381:To smell, perceive odor

to the LORD.
לַֽיהוָֽה׃(Yah·weh)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

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OT Law: Numbers 18:17 But you shall not redeem the firstborn (Nu Num.)