firstborn redemption of

1 definition found

firstborn redemption of - Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary :

  First-born, Redemption of
  From the beginning the office of the priesthood in each family
  belonged to the eldest son. But when the extensive plan of
  sacrificial worship was introduced, requiring a company of men
  to be exclusively devoted to this ministry, the primitive office
  of the first-born was superseded by that of the Levites (Num.
  3:11-13), and it was ordained that the first-born of man and of
  unclean animals should henceforth be redeemed (18:15).
  
    The laws concerning this redemption of the first-born of man
  are recorded in Ex. 13:12-15; 22:29; 34:20; Num. 3:45; 8:17;
  18:16; Lev. 12:2, 4.
  
    The first-born male of every clean animal was to be given up
  to the priest for sacrifice (Deut. 12:6; Ex. 13:12; 34:20; Num.
  18:15-17).
  
    But the first-born of unclean animals was either to be
  redeemed or sold and the price given to the priest (Lev.
  27:11-13, 27). The first-born of an ass, if not redeemed, was to
  be put to death (Ex. 13:13; 34:20).