Exodus 13:2Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The Egyptians feared that this death would continue to spread, anticipating that it might claim all lives. In this harrowing moment when death struck the firstborn of Egypt, the Israelites, shielded by God's protection, were unharmed. In that act, God demonstrated His favor towards them by declaring that the firstborn of the Israelites be consecrated to Him in the wake of the Egyptians’ loss. Consequently, the tribe of Levi was set apart for service in the priesthood, and not only were the firstborn of humans dedicated to God, but also the firstborn of animals and all creation. Additionally, it was mandated that a redemption price be offered for both the firstborn of the human family and clean animals (Exodus 13:12-13). Although this decree regarding the firstborn was formalized later, the significance of those who opened the womb was acknowledged from the very beginning. Thus, the blessing of birthright, which rightfully belonged to Esau, was relinquished by him through his own lack of discipline, passing it instead to his brother (Genesis 25:34).

In the writings of Moses, there are specific stipulations regarding the firstborn. Firstly, it is important to recognize that rather than everyone from the children of Israel who should dedicate their lives to His worship within the tabernacle, God specifically chose the tribe of Levi for this role (Num. 3:8). Secondly, it is crucial to observe that only the firstborn in relation to their mother, and not the father, was to be presented to God. Thus, in cases where a widow had given birth previously, or in situations where the firstborn was a daughter, the subsequent son born was not dedicated to God, since it was not he who opened the mother’s womb but another child. In times when a man had multiple wives, which was permissible, he was to dedicate the firstborn of each wife, if male, to the Lord.

Furthermore, concerning the explanation of the firstborn, it is pertinent to mention Jesus Christ, who is the Firstborn of all creation (Col. 1:15). Born of the Most Pure Virgin, He passed through His mother's womb without causing it to open, preserving it intact; thus, the aforementioned commandment did not apply to Him.

Pharaoh and the Egyptians, overwhelmed by this calamity that compelled them to release the Israelites, urged them to depart immediately, even offering them valuable gifts to hasten their exit. The Israelites, prepared for this moment, gathered six hundred thousand men, in addition to their families, at Ramesses, the principal city of Goshen, and from there they marched in organized ranks toward the Red Sea. Their initial encampment was at 'Sokhof,' named for the tents the Hebrews used during their stay. This journey began on the fifteenth day of the first month, Abib.

While the Israelites were encamped at Sokhof, the Lord sought to establish a perpetual remembrance of their deliverance from the angel of death that marked the end of their enslavement in Egypt by delivering the law of the consecration of the firstborn. He instructed Moses to declare that every firstborn among the Israelites is to be set apart for His holy use. This command encompasses all firstborn from the people of Israel, including both humans and livestock. It specifically refers not to the firstborn of a father who may have had children with multiple wives but to the firstborn of the mother who is firstborn in a primary sense. Although the firstborn son might hold the rights of primogeniture in matters of inheritance and honor, the divine consecration pertains to the firstborn of the mother, taking priority in spiritual matters, even if there are other firstborn sons from the father. This distinction emphasizes the sacred role of the firstborn, the significance of which will be explored further.

Alongside them, the firstborn of all livestock are also consecrated to God, recalling when the Lord “gave judgement to the gods of Egypt.” Israel itself is recognized as the Lord’s firstborn (see Exodus 4:22), and its firstborn were meant to be set apart for service to the King of Israel (Numbers 15:40; 3:15, 16). In exchange for the priestly role of the firstborn, the entire tribe of Levi was appointed as a substitute, tasked with serving God on behalf of all Israel. Such a law or institution is unique in the ancient world, yet it served to remind the people that they belonged wholly to the Lord; the firstborn of humans and animals represented all of Israel and its possessions, signifying that the entirety of Israel was under the dominion of the King and Lord. Some scholars also interpret the dedication of the firstborn to God as a representative sacrifice, foreshadowing the Great Sacrifice of Atonement for the salvation of all humanity.