Read & explore together
Dedicating the Firstborn
Exodus 13:1–16 gives instructions for remembering the exodus. It links unleavened bread with dedicating the firstborn so Israel will keep recalling Yahweh’s deliverance and explaining it to children.
Understanding the passage
Understanding the setting
Yahweh speaks to Moses, and Moses speaks to the people. The passage looks back to the day Israel came out of Egypt and ahead to the land Yahweh swore to give. Its focus is remembrance, worship and teaching the next generation.
Exodus 13:1–16Main takeaway
This passage teaches that Israel’s repeated worship practices were to keep Yahweh’s deliverance from Egypt in living memory.
Explore the instructions
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01The firstborn belongs to YahwehYahweh first tells Moses to sanctify every firstborn that opens the womb. To sanctify means to set apart to him.
Explanation
Yahweh first tells Moses to sanctify every firstborn that opens the womb. To sanctify means to set apart to him. The command includes both people and animals, and the reason is brief and direct: “It is mine.” The passage begins with belonging before it explains the later practice in detail.
02Unleavened bread marks the day of deliveranceMoses tells the people to remember the day they came out of Egypt, called the house of bondage, because Yahweh brought them out by strength of hand.
Explanation
Moses tells the people to remember the day they came out of Egypt, called the house of bondage, because Yahweh brought them out by strength of hand. Therefore they are to eat no leavened bread. In the month Abib this service lasts seven days, ending with a feast to Yahweh.
03Parents must explain the meaningThe people are not only to keep the service but to explain it. A son is to be told that it is because of what Yahweh did when Israel came out of Egypt.
Explanation
The people are not only to keep the service but to explain it. A son is to be told that it is because of what Yahweh did when Israel came out of Egypt. The language of a sign on the hand and between the eyes shows this remembrance is meant to stay before them and shape their words.
04Set apart and redeem the firstbornWhen Yahweh brings Israel into the land, the firstborn males are to be set apart to him. A firstborn donkey is redeemed with a lamb, and firstborn sons are redeemed.
Explanation
When Yahweh brings Israel into the land, the firstborn males are to be set apart to him. A firstborn donkey is redeemed with a lamb, and firstborn sons are redeemed. When a son asks why, the answer points to Yahweh’s strong deliverance from Egypt and his judgement on Egypt’s firstborn.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What two practices in this passage are meant to help Israel remember the exodus?
Look for the commands about unleavened bread and about setting apart or redeeming the firstborn, both tied to coming out of Egypt.
02How does the passage say children should be taught about these commands?
Notice the two places where a son is addressed and how each explanation begins with what Yahweh did.
03What does the repeated phrase “strength of hand” emphasise?
Trace the repeated phrase and see that the commands rest on Yahweh’s powerful act of bringing Israel out of Egypt.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Exodus 13:1–16
1Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
2“Sanctify to me all the firstborn, whatever opens the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of animal. It is mine.”
3Moses said to the people, “Remember this day, in which you came out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand Yahweh brought you out from this place. No leavened bread shall be eaten.
4Today you go out in the month Abib.
5It shall be, when Yahweh brings you into the land of the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Amorite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite, which he swore to your fathers to give you, a land flowing with milk and honey, that you shall keep this service in this month.
6Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, and in the seventh day shall be a feast to Yahweh.
7Unleavened bread shall be eaten throughout the seven days; and no leavened bread shall be seen with you. No yeast shall be seen with you, within all your borders.
8You shall tell your son in that day, saying, ‘It is because of that which Yahweh did for me when I came out of Egypt.’
9It shall be for a sign to you on your hand, and for a memorial between your eyes, that Yahweh’s law may be in your mouth; for with a strong hand Yahweh has brought you out of Egypt.
10You shall therefore keep this ordinance in its season from year to year.
11“It shall be, when Yahweh brings you into the land of the Canaanite, as he swore to you and to your fathers, and will give it to you,
12that you shall set apart to Yahweh all that opens the womb, and every firstborn that comes from an animal which you have. The males shall be Yahweh’s.
13Every firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb; and if you will not redeem it, then you shall break its neck; and you shall redeem all the firstborn of man among your sons.
14It shall be, when your son asks you in time to come, saying, ‘What is this?’ that you shall tell him, ‘By strength of hand Yahweh brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage.
15When Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, Yahweh killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man, and the firstborn of livestock. Therefore I sacrifice to Yahweh all that opens the womb, being males; but all the firstborn of my sons I redeem.’
16It shall be for a sign on your hand, and for symbols between your eyes; for by strength of hand Yahweh brought us out of Egypt.”