Numbers 18:17

Verse

But 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.

American Standard Version (1901)

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.

Bible in Basic English

But no such payment may be made for the first birth of an ox or a sheep or a goat; these are holy: their blood is to be dropped on the altar, and their fat burned for an offering made by fire, a sweet smell to the Lord.

Free Bible Version

But you are not allowed to redeem the firstborn of an ox, a sheep, or a goat because they are holy. You shall sprinkle their blood on the altar, and burn their fat as a burnt offering accepted by the Lord.

King James (Authorized) Version

One Unity Resource 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 Adonai .

Translation for Translators

“But they are not permitted to buy back the firstborn cattle or sheep or goats. They are holy and have been set apart for me. Slaughter them and sprinkle their blood on the altar. Then completely burn the fat of those animals on the altar to be an offering to me. The smell as they burn will be very pleasing to me.

Unlocked Literal Bible

But the firstborn of a cow, or the firstborn of a sheep, or the firstborn of a goat—you must not buy back these animals; they are set apart to me. You must sprinkle their blood on the altar and burn their fat as an offering made by fire, an aroma pleasing to Yahweh.

Noah Webster Bible

World English Bible

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,

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.

Summary

In this verse, the Lord instructs that the firstfruits of grain, new wine, and oil, as well as the first wool from the shearing of sheep, are to be given to the priests as a special offering. This offering symbolizes the Israelites acknowledging God's provision and sovereignty over their lives, and it also serves to support the priests who minister before the Lord on behalf of the people. By giving the first and best of their produce to the Lord, the Israelites demonstrate their gratitude and obedience, recognizing that all blessings come from Him.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And the flesh of them shall be thine,.... For him and his family to eat of, whether blemished or perfect the Jews say (l): as the wave breast and as the right shoulder are thine: which were his part of the peace offerings, for him and his sons to eat of, Lev 7:34; and the Jews observe (m), that as the wave breast and heave shoulder of the peace offerings might be eaten in two days and one night, so might those of the firstlings. (l) Maimon. & Bartenora in Misn. Becorot, c. 4. sect. 2. & 5. 2. (m) Maimon. & Bartenora in Misn. Zebachim, c. 5. sect. 8.