King James Version

What Does Numbers 18:17 Mean?

Numbers 18:17 in the King James Version says “But the firstling of a cow, or the firstling of a sheep, or the firstling of a goat, thou shalt not redeem; they are hol...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Numbers 18:17 · KJV

Context

15

Every thing that openeth the matrix in all flesh, which they bring unto the LORD, whether it be of men or beasts, shall be thine: nevertheless the firstborn of man shalt thou surely redeem, and the firstling of unclean beasts shalt thou redeem.

16

And those that are to be redeemed from a month old shalt thou redeem, according to thine estimation, for the money of five shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, which is twenty gerahs.

17

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.

18

And the flesh of them shall be thine, as the wave breast and as the right shoulder are thine.

19

All the heave offerings of the holy things, which the children of Israel offer unto the LORD, have I given thee, and thy sons and thy daughters with thee, by a statute for ever: it is a covenant of salt for ever before the LORD unto thee and to thy seed with thee.

Read Numbers 18 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. Unlike human firstborn (verse 15), firstborn clean animals were qodesh (קֹדֶשׁ, "holy")—consecrated for sacrifice, not redemption. The three species—cattle (shor, שׁוֹר), sheep (keseh, כֶּשֶׂב), and goats (ez, עֵז)—comprised primary sacrificial animals, representing Israel's pastoral economy.

"Thou shalt sprinkle their blood upon the altar" followed standard sacrificial procedure—blood representing life poured out in death, applied to the altar as atonement. "Burn their fat" (helbo taqtir, חֶלְבּוֹ תַּקְטִיר) meant offering the choicest portions—internal fat, kidneys, and other organs—as smoke (isheh, אִשֶּׁה) ascending to God. "Sweet savour" (reach nichoach, רֵיחַ נִיחֹחַ, literally "aroma of satisfaction") is anthropomorphic language indicating divine acceptance and pleasure in the offering.

The distinction—human firstborns redeemed, animal firstborns sacrificed—taught that acceptable substitution requires appropriate categories. Animals could substitute for humans in death because God accepted them; but only God incarnate could ultimately satisfy justice for human sin. Christ, the Lamb of God, became our firstborn sacrifice (Colossians 1:15, 18), both God and man, the only sufficient substitute.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Firstborn clean animals were brought to the sanctuary throughout the year as they were born. Exodus 13:13 and Deuteronomy 15:19-23 provide additional regulations. Unlike other sacrifices which worshippers could eat portions of, firstborn animal sacrifices gave meat to priests (verse 18), making them part of priestly support. This practice continued throughout temple periods. The prohibition against redeeming these animals (unlike unclean animals' firstborn) emphasized their complete consecration. Archaeological evidence of ancient Israelite animal husbandry confirms that cattle, sheep, and goats dominated livestock holdings, making these firstborns a substantial contribution to priestly support.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the blood and fat of firstborn animals point forward to Christ's sacrifice of His life (blood) and best (fat) for our redemption?
  2. What does God's 'sweet savour' pleasure in these sacrifices teach about how He receives Christ's sacrifice on our behalf?
  3. How should the principle of giving God firstborn clean animals—the natural increase of your flocks—inform your stewardship of income and investment returns?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
אַ֣ךְ1 of 25
H389

a particle of affirmation, surely; hence (by limitation) only

בְכ֥וֹר2 of 25

“But the firstling”

H1060

first-born; hence, chief

שׁ֡וֹר3 of 25

“of a cow”

H7794

a bullock (as a traveller)

אֽוֹ4 of 25
H176

desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if

בְכ֥וֹר5 of 25

“But the firstling”

H1060

first-born; hence, chief

כֶּ֜שֶׂב6 of 25

“of a sheep”

H3775

a young sheep

אֽוֹ7 of 25
H176

desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if

בְכ֥וֹר8 of 25

“But the firstling”

H1060

first-born; hence, chief

עֵ֛ז9 of 25

“of a goat”

H5795

a she-goat (as strong), but masculine in plural (which also is used elliptically for goat's hair)

לֹ֥א10 of 25
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תִפְדֶּ֖ה11 of 25

“thou shalt not redeem”

H6299

to sever, i.e., ransom; generally to release, preserve

קֹ֣דֶשׁ12 of 25

“they are holy”

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

הֵ֑ם13 of 25
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

אֶת14 of 25
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

דָּמָ֞ם15 of 25

“their blood”

H1818

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

תִּזְרֹ֤ק16 of 25

“thou shalt sprinkle”

H2236

to sprinkle (fluid or solid particles)

עַל17 of 25
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הַמִּזְבֵּ֙חַ֙18 of 25

“upon the altar”

H4196

an altar

וְאֶת19 of 25
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

חֶלְבָּ֣ם20 of 25

“their fat”

H2459

fat, whether literally or figuratively; hence, the richest or choice part

תַּקְטִ֔יר21 of 25

“and shalt burn”

H6999

to smoke, i.e., turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship)

אִשֶּׁ֛ה22 of 25

“for an offering made by fire”

H801

properly, a burnt-offering; but occasionally of any sacrifice

לְרֵ֥יחַ23 of 25

“savour”

H7381

odor (as if blown)

נִיחֹ֖חַ24 of 25

“for a sweet”

H5207

properly, restful, i.e., pleasant; abstractly, delight

לַֽיהוָֽה׃25 of 25

“unto the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Numbers. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Numbers 18:17 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Numbers 18:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Leviticus 3:2-5Deuteronomy 15:19-22Exodus 29:16

Test Your Knowledge

Numbers 18 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterNumbers Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Numbers 18 with CommentaryAll Numbers ChaptersComplete Numbers QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes