Exodus 22:30
New International Version
Do the same with your cattle and your sheep. Let them stay with their mothers for seven days, but give them to me on the eighth day.

New Living Translation
“You must also give me the firstborn of your cattle, sheep, and goats. But leave the newborn animal with its mother for seven days; then give it to me on the eighth day.

English Standard Version
You shall do the same with your oxen and with your sheep: seven days it shall be with its mother; on the eighth day you shall give it to me.

Berean Standard Bible
You shall do likewise with your cattle and your sheep. Let them stay with their mothers for seven days, but on the eighth day you are to give them to Me.

King James Bible
Likewise shalt thou do with thine oxen, and with thy sheep: seven days it shall be with his dam; on the eighth day thou shalt give it me.

New King James Version
Likewise you shall do with your oxen and your sheep. It shall be with its mother seven days; on the eighth day you shall give it to Me.

New American Standard Bible
You shall do the same with your oxen and with your sheep. It shall be with its mother for seven days; on the eighth day you shall give it to Me.

NASB 1995
“You shall do the same with your oxen and with your sheep. It shall be with its mother seven days; on the eighth day you shall give it to Me.

NASB 1977
“You shall do the same with your oxen and with your sheep. It shall be with its mother seven days; on the eighth day you shall give it to Me.

Legacy Standard Bible
And you shall do the same with your oxen and with your sheep. It shall be with its mother seven days; on the eighth day you shall give it to Me.

Amplified Bible
You shall do the same with your oxen and with your sheep. It shall be with its mother for seven days; on the eighth day you shall give it [as an offering] to Me.

Christian Standard Bible
Do the same with your cattle and your flock. Let them stay with their mothers for seven days, but on the eighth day you are to give them to me.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Do the same with your cattle and your flock. Let them stay with their mothers for seven days, but on the eighth day you are to give them to Me.”

American Standard Version
Likewise shalt thou do with thine oxen, and with thy sheep: seven days it shall be with its dam; on the eighth day thou shalt give it me.

Contemporary English Version
and the first-born of your cattle and sheep. Let the animals stay with their mothers for seven days, then on the eighth day give them to me, your God.

English Revised Version
Likewise shalt thou do with thine oxen, and with thy sheep: seven days it shall be with its dam; on the eighth day thou shalt give it me.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
You must do the same with your cattle and your sheep. They will stay with their mothers seven days, but on the eighth day you must give them to me.

Good News Translation
Give me the first-born of your cattle and your sheep. Let the first-born male stay with its mother for seven days, and on the eighth day offer it to me.

International Standard Version
You are to do the same with your oxen and your sheep. They shall be with their mother for seven days and then on the eighth day you are to give them to me.

Majority Standard Bible
You shall do likewise with your cattle and your sheep. Let them stay with their mothers for seven days, but on the eighth day you are to give them to Me.

NET Bible
You must also do this for your oxen and for your sheep; seven days they may remain with their mothers, but give them to me on the eighth day.

New Heart English Bible
You shall do likewise with your cattle and with your sheep. Seven days it shall be with its mother, then on the eighth day you shall give it to me.

Webster's Bible Translation
Likewise shalt thou do with thy oxen, and with thy sheep: seven days it shall be with his dam; on the eighth day thou shalt give it to me.

World English Bible
You shall do likewise with your cattle and with your sheep. It shall be with its mother seven days, then on the eighth day you shall give it to me.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
so you do to your ox [and] to your sheep; it is with its mother [for] seven days, on the eighth day you give it to Me.

Young's Literal Translation
so thou dost to thine ox, to thy sheep; seven days it is with its dam, on the eighth day thou dost give it to Me.

Smith's Literal Translation
Thus shalt thou do to thine ox, to thy sheep: seven days shall it be with its mother; in the eighth day thou shalt give it to me.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Thou shalt do the same with the firstborn of thy oxen also and sheep: seven days let it be with its dam, the eighth day thou shalt give it to me.

Catholic Public Domain Version
You shall do likewise with those of the oxen and the sheep. For seven days, let it be with its mother; on the eighth day you shall repay it to me.

New American Bible
You must do the same with your oxen and your sheep; for seven days the firstling may stay with its mother, but on the eighth day you must give it to me.

New Revised Standard Version
You shall do the same with your oxen and with your sheep: seven days it shall remain with its mother; on the eighth day you shall give it to me.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Likewise you shall do with your oxen and with your sheep: seven days it shall be with its dam; on the eighth day you shall give it to me.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And thus you shall do to your oxen and to your sheep: seven days he shall be with his mother, and on the eighth day you give him to me.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Likewise shalt thou do with thine oxen, and with thy sheep; seven days it shall be with its dam; on the eighth day thou shalt give it Me.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
So shalt thou do with thy calf and thy sheep and thine ass; seven days shall it be under the mother, and the eighth day thou shalt give it to me.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Laws of Social Responsibility
29You must not hold back offerings from your granaries or vats. You are to give Me the firstborn of your sons. 30You shall do likewise with your cattle and your sheep. Let them stay with their mothers for seven days, but on the eighth day you are to give them to Me. 31You are to be My holy people. You must not eat the meat of a mauled animal found in the field; you are to throw it to the dogs.…

Cross References
Leviticus 22:27
“When an ox, a sheep, or a goat is born, it must remain with its mother for seven days. From the eighth day on, it will be acceptable as a food offering presented to the LORD.

Deuteronomy 15:19-23
You must set apart to the LORD your God every firstborn male produced by your herds and flocks. You are not to put the firstborn of your oxen to work, nor are you to shear the firstborn of your flock. / Each year you and your household are to eat it before the LORD your God in the place the LORD will choose. / But if an animal has a defect, is lame or blind, or has any serious flaw, you must not sacrifice it to the LORD your God. ...

Numbers 18:17
But you must not redeem the firstborn of an ox, a sheep, or a goat; they are holy. You are to splatter their blood on the altar and burn their fat as a food offering, a pleasing aroma to the LORD.

Leviticus 7:23-24
“Speak to the Israelites and say, ‘You are not to eat any of the fat of an ox, a sheep, or a goat. / The fat of an animal found dead or mauled by wild beasts may be used for any other purpose, but you must not eat it.

Deuteronomy 14:21
You are not to eat any carcass; you may give it to the foreigner residing within your gates, and he may eat it, or you may sell it to a foreigner. For you are a holy people belonging to the LORD your God. You must not cook a young goat in its mother’s milk.

Leviticus 11:44-45
For I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, because I am holy. You must not defile yourselves by any creature that crawls along the ground. / For I am the LORD, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt so that I would be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy.

Leviticus 19:2
“Speak to the whole congregation of Israel and tell them: Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.

1 Peter 1:15-16
But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, / for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

Romans 12:1
Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; / you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body.

1 Corinthians 10:31
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.

Hebrews 12:14
Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.

Matthew 5:48
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

2 Corinthians 6:17
“Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”

Ephesians 1:4
For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence. In love


Treasury of Scripture

Likewise shall you do with your oxen, and with your sheep: seven days it shall be with his dam; on the eighth day you shall give it me.

likewise

Deuteronomy 15:19
All the firstling males that come of thy herd and of thy flock thou shalt sanctify unto the LORD thy God: thou shalt do no work with the firstling of thy bullock, nor shear the firstling of thy sheep.

seven days

Leviticus 22:27
When a bullock, or a sheep, or a goat, is brought forth, then it shall be seven days under the dam; and from the eighth day and thenceforth it shall be accepted for an offering made by fire unto the LORD.

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Calf Cattle Dam Eighth Likewise Mother Mothers Ox Oxen Seven Sheep Way Young
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Calf Cattle Dam Eighth Likewise Mother Mothers Ox Oxen Seven Sheep Way Young
Exodus 22
1. Of Theft
5. Of damage
7. Of trespasses
14. Of borrowing
16. Of fornication
18. Of witchcraft
19. Of bestiality
20. Of idolatry
21. Of strangers, widows, and fatherless
25. Of usury
26. Of pledges
28. Of reverence to magistrates
29. Of the first fruits
31. Of torn flesh














You shall do likewise with your cattle and your sheep.
This phrase refers to the practice of dedicating the firstborn of livestock to God, as outlined in the broader context of Exodus 22. The dedication of the firstborn is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, symbolizing God's ownership and blessing. This practice is rooted in the Exodus narrative, where the firstborn of Egypt were struck down, but the firstborn of Israel were spared (Exodus 12:12-13). The act of dedicating the firstborn acknowledges God's deliverance and sovereignty. Cattle and sheep were central to the agrarian economy of ancient Israel, and their dedication was a significant act of faith and obedience.

Let them stay with their mothers for seven days,
The seven-day period allows the newborn animals to gain strength and ensures their survival, reflecting a practical understanding of animal husbandry. The number seven is significant in biblical literature, often symbolizing completeness or perfection, as seen in the creation narrative (Genesis 2:2-3). This period also mirrors the time of purification and dedication seen in other biblical contexts, such as the circumcision of male infants on the eighth day (Leviticus 12:3).

but on the eighth day you are to give them to Me.
The eighth day marks a new beginning, a theme consistent throughout Scripture. In the context of circumcision, the eighth day signifies a covenant relationship with God (Genesis 17:12). Here, the giving of the firstborn on the eighth day symbolizes a consecration to God, setting apart what is first and best for His purposes. This act prefigures the ultimate dedication and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who is often seen as the firstborn over all creation (Colossians 1:15) and the perfect offering to God. The dedication of the firstborn animals serves as a type, pointing to the greater sacrifice of Christ, who fulfills the law and brings redemption.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Israelites
The recipients of the law, God's chosen people, who are being instructed on how to live in covenant relationship with Him.

2. Oxen and Sheep
Livestock that were central to the agrarian lifestyle of the Israelites and significant in their sacrificial system.

3. God
The divine lawgiver who is establishing His covenant and expectations with the Israelites.

4. Eighth Day
A specific time frame that holds significance in biblical law and ritual, often associated with dedication and new beginnings.

5. Sacrificial System
The broader context of the law, where offerings and sacrifices were a means of worship and atonement.
Teaching Points
Principle of Firstfruits
The command to give the firstborn to God reflects the broader biblical principle of offering the first and best to the Lord, acknowledging His sovereignty and provision.

Significance of the Eighth Day
The eighth day symbolizes new beginnings and dedication, reminding believers of the importance of setting apart time and resources for God.

Holistic Worship
The inclusion of livestock in worship practices underscores the idea that all aspects of life, including work and livelihood, are to be consecrated to God.

Trust in God's Provision
By giving the firstborn animals to God, the Israelites were exercising faith in His continued provision, a principle that applies to trusting God with our resources today.(30) Thine oxen.--Rather, thy beeves. The word used is applied to horned cattle of either sex.

Seven days it shall be with his dam.--Compare Leviticus 22:27. The main object of forbidding sacrifice before the eighth day would appear to have beer-regard for the health and comfort of the mother, which needed the relief obtained by suckling its offspring. There may also have underlain the prohibition some reference to birth as an impure process. Compare the circumcision of the male child on the eighth day.

Verse 30. - Seven days it shall be with its dam. See Leviticus 22:27. The main object is that the darn may have during that time the natural relief derivable from suckling its off-spring. On the eighth day thou shalt give it me. Some analogy may be traced between this proviso and the law of circumcision. Birth was viewed as an unclean process, and nothing was fit for presentation to God excepting after an interval.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
You shall do
תַּעֲשֶׂ֥ה (ta·‘ă·śeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

likewise
כֵּֽן־ (kên-)
Adverb
Strong's 3651: So -- thus

with your cattle
לְשֹׁרְךָ֖ (lə·šō·rə·ḵā)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 7794: A head of cattle (bullock, ox, etcetera)

and your sheep.
לְצֹאנֶ֑ךָ (lə·ṣō·ne·ḵā)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 6629: Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock

Let them stay
יִהְיֶ֣ה (yih·yeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

with
עִם־ (‘im-)
Preposition
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

their mothers
אִמּ֔וֹ (’im·mōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 517: A mother, )

for seven
שִׁבְעַ֤ת (šiḇ·‘aṯ)
Number - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7651: Seven, seven times, a week, an indefinite number

days,
יָמִים֙ (yā·mîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3117: A day

but on the eighth
הַשְּׁמִינִ֖י (haš·šə·mî·nî)
Article | Number - ordinal masculine singular
Strong's 8066: Eighth (an ordinal number)

day
בַּיּ֥וֹם (bay·yō·wm)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

you are to give them
תִּתְּנוֹ־ (tit·tə·nōw-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

to Me.
לִֽי׃ (lî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew


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OT Law: Exodus 22:30 You shall do likewise with your cattle (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 22:29
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