Numbers 18:17 Meaning and Explanation
“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 savour unto the LORD.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Clean animal firstborns are sacrificed on the altar; they cannot be redeemed.
The Context of Numbers 18:17
Clean animal firstborns must be sacrificed, not redeemed.
What Does Numbers 18:17 Mean?
Firstborns of sacrificeable animals—cattle, sheep, and goats—have a different fate: they must be offered, not redeemed. Their blood is sprinkled on the altar and their fat burned as an offering, creating a 'sweet savour'—a pleasing aroma to the Lord. These animals are wholly devoted to God's service at the sanctuary.
The distinction is clear: clean, sacrificeable animals are unconditionally God's through sacrifice. By burning them, the firstborn's life returns to God in the most complete way. This creates a perpetual stream of firstborn animal sacrifices flowing from Israel to the sanctuary.
Frequently Asked Questions About Numbers 18:17
What does Numbers 18:17 mean?
Clean animal firstborns are sacrificed on the altar; they cannot be redeemed.
What is the context of Numbers 18:17?
Clean animal firstborns must be sacrificed, not redeemed.