Numbers 3:13 Meaning and Explanation
“Because all the firstborn are mine; for on the day that I smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I hallowed unto me all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast: mine shall they be: I am the LORD.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God's claim to the firstborn dates to the Exodus, when He struck down Egypt's firstborn and consecrated Israel's.
The Context of Numbers 3:13
Tracing the firstborn law to the Exodus and God's redemptive act.
What Does Numbers 3:13 Mean?
This verse grounds the law of the firstborn in a historical act: the tenth plague in Egypt. When God 'smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt,' He demonstrated His power over death and His dominion over all life. In that same moment, He 'hallowed'—set apart and claimed—Israel's firstborn for Himself.
The parallel is absolute: Egypt's firstborn fell as judgment; Israel's firstborn were spared and then dedicated to God. This redemption by divine intervention became the reason for perpetual obligation. All firstborn, human and animal, belonged to the Lord who had saved them from death.
Numbers 3:13 in the Original Language
nakah (נָכַה), 'smote' — struck down with deadly force, emphasizing God's power and sovereignty over life and death.
Frequently Asked Questions About Numbers 3:13
What does Numbers 3:13 mean?
God's claim to the firstborn dates to the Exodus, when He struck down Egypt's firstborn and consecrated Israel's.
What is the context of Numbers 3:13?
Tracing the firstborn law to the Exodus and God's redemptive act.