Topical Bible: Beasts: Clean: First Born of, not Redeemed

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In the biblical context, the concept of "clean" beasts refers to animals that were considered suitable for consumption and sacrifice according to the Mosaic Law. The distinction between clean and unclean animals is primarily found in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14, where specific criteria are given for determining the cleanliness of animals. Clean animals typically include those that chew the cud and have split hooves, such as cattle, sheep, and goats.

The firstborn of clean beasts held a special place in the religious and cultural practices of ancient Israel. According to the Law, the firstborn of every womb, both human and animal, was consecrated to the Lord. This is rooted in the events of the Exodus, where God spared the firstborn of Israel during the final plague on Egypt, as recorded in Exodus 13:2 : "Consecrate to Me every firstborn male. The firstborn from every womb among the Israelites belongs to Me, both of man and beast."

For clean animals, the firstborn males were to be offered as sacrifices to the Lord. Numbers 18:17 states, "But the firstborn of a cow, the firstborn of a sheep, or the firstborn of a goat you shall not redeem; they are holy. You are to sprinkle their blood on the altar and burn their fat as an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma to the LORD." This command underscores the sanctity of the firstborn and their role in the sacrificial system.

The requirement that the firstborn of clean beasts not be redeemed highlights the principle of dedication and sacrifice inherent in the covenant relationship between God and Israel. Unlike unclean animals, which could be redeemed or exchanged, the firstborn of clean animals were to be given entirely to God, symbolizing the nation's acknowledgment of His sovereignty and provision.

The practice of offering the firstborn of clean beasts also served as a reminder of God's deliverance and faithfulness. It was a tangible expression of gratitude and obedience, reinforcing the Israelites' identity as a people set apart for God's purposes. The sacrificial system, including the offering of firstborn animals, pointed forward to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the "firstborn over all creation" (Colossians 1:15), who fulfilled the Law and provided redemption for humanity.

In summary, the firstborn of clean beasts, not redeemed, played a significant role in the religious life of Israel, symbolizing dedication, sacrifice, and the covenant relationship with God. This practice was a foreshadowing of the greater redemption to come through Christ, who is the fulfillment of the Law and the ultimate expression of God's love and grace.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Numbers 18:17
But the firstling of a cow, or the firstling of a sheep, or the firstling of a goat, you shall not redeem; they are holy: you shall sprinkle their blood on the altar, and shall burn their fat for an offering made by fire, for a sweet smell to the LORD.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Perpetual virginity of Blessed Mary.
... that openeth the womb if it be the firstling of clean beasts: if of unclean beasts,
I must ... Why do you speak of the first-born, when I cannot tell whether ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/the perpetual virginity of blessed.htm

All Saints' Day
... and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell ... of pure music, to wash their spirits
clean from those ... of angels, and the church of the first-born who are ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon i all saints day.htm

"Lo, I Come": Exposition
... worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." A clean sweep has ... know all
the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the ... "The first-born sons of ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/lo i come exposition.htm

Panegyric on the Splendor of Affairs.
... but a certain destroying demon and spiritual wild beasts who deceived ... the ground
of all your minds clean and clear ... and the Church of the first born, whose names ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter iv panegyric on the splendor.htm

The Sun Rising Upon a Dark World
... is not to be restrained to the first and more ... perish by hunger, by enemies, or wild
beasts "who, if ... that gracious promise, I will sprinkle clean water upon ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon viii the sun rising.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
... trees, and herbs, and grass; after that beasts; and the sea ... Not by being invisible
also; for so is he as ... an image," he is also called "the first-born" of every ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm

The Tomb of Jesus
... body; we behold them wrapping him in clean, white linen ... at the resurrection: but
he who rose first"their leader ... So let me die, let beasts devour me, let fire ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the tomb of jesus.htm

Letter xxii. To Eustochium.
... I had no companions but scorpions and wild beasts, I often ... ark in pairs, while of
the clean an uneven ... servant, sister"these names refer the first to your age ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter xxii to eustochium.htm

Elements of Prophetic Interpretation.
... 28, and 8:2, 4. Linen, fine and clean"Righteousness of ... Souls of martyrs living
again"The first resurrection."Rev.20:4 ... Wild Beasts"Governments."Dan.7:17 ...
/.../a brief commentary on the apocalypse/elements of prophetic interpretation.htm

Light for them that Sit in Darkness;
... 2. Beasts were his types ... a clean place without the camp; a type of the clean sepulchre
where ... he 'knew her not till she had brought forth her first-born son, and ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/light for them that sit.htm