Topical Bible: Beasts: Unclean: First Born of, Redeemed

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical context, the concept of unclean beasts and their redemption is rooted in the laws given to the Israelites. According to the Mosaic Law, certain animals were considered unclean and were not to be consumed or used in sacrifices. However, the firstborn of these unclean animals held a special status and were subject to specific regulations regarding their redemption.

Biblical Foundation

The primary scriptural basis for the redemption of the firstborn of unclean beasts is found in the Book of Exodus. The Lord commanded the Israelites to consecrate every firstborn male, both human and animal, to Him. This command is detailed 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."

However, the firstborn of unclean animals, which could not be sacrificed, required redemption. Exodus 13:13 states, "You must redeem every firstborn donkey with a lamb, and if you do not redeem it, you are to break its neck. And every firstborn of man among your sons you must redeem."

Redemption Process

The process of redemption for the firstborn of unclean animals involved substituting the unclean animal with a clean one, typically a lamb. This act of redemption symbolized the transfer of ownership and dedication to God, acknowledging His sovereignty and the sanctity of the firstborn. The unclean animal, such as a donkey, was not suitable for sacrifice, thus necessitating its redemption through a clean substitute.

Theological Significance

The redemption of the firstborn of unclean beasts underscores several theological principles. Firstly, it highlights the concept of substitutionary atonement, where a clean animal takes the place of an unclean one, prefiguring the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, the Lamb of God, who redeems humanity. Secondly, it emphasizes the holiness and ownership of God over all creation, as even the firstborn of unclean animals are consecrated to Him.

Furthermore, the act of redemption serves as a reminder of God's deliverance of Israel from Egypt, as the firstborn of Israel were spared during the Passover. This historical event is commemorated through the redemption of the firstborn, reinforcing the covenant relationship between God and His people.

Practical Implications

For the Israelites, the redemption of the firstborn of unclean beasts was a practical expression of obedience to God's commandments. It required the faithful to recognize God's authority and provision, as well as their dependence on Him for sustenance and blessing. The act of redeeming the firstborn also served as a tangible reminder of God's past deliverance and His ongoing faithfulness.

In summary, the redemption of the firstborn of unclean beasts is a multifaceted biblical concept that illustrates God's holiness, the principle of substitutionary atonement, and the covenant relationship between God and His people. Through this practice, the Israelites were called to remember and honor God's deliverance and sovereignty.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Numbers 18:15
Every thing that opens the matrix in all flesh, which they bring to the LORD, whether it be of men or beasts, shall be yours: nevertheless the firstborn of man shall you surely redeem, and the firstling of unclean beasts shall you redeem.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Perpetual virginity of Blessed Mary.
... shalt thou surely redeem, and the firstling of unclean beasts shalt thou ... it should
prove to be the first-born but not ... And those that are to be redeemed of them ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/the perpetual virginity of blessed.htm

Covenanting According to the Purposes of God.
... The beasts of the field, and the fowls of heaven ... of the Covenant, are denominated
the uncircumcised and the unclean. ... they know that he had so ordained at first. ...
/.../the ordinance of covenanting/chapter viii covenanting according to.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
... the world, abides a confused lump, an unclean thing; a ... and herbs, and grass; after
that beasts; and the ... 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

Epistle Lxiii. Limenius, Bishop of Vercell??, Having Died, the See ...
... ye know, that no immodest person, nor unclean, nor covetous ... by the lions, so that
the unfed beasts stretched at ... ease lost the blessing of the first-born, for he ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/epistle lxiii limenius bishop of.htm

The Immaculate Conception
... parents and by their resistance to all unclean temptations; and ... heathens that the
Messiah was to be born from a ... was the instant in which for the first time the ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/ii the immaculate conception.htm

The Preface to the Commandments
... They worshipped beasts, as the ox. ... will become of those that swear and break the
Sabbath, and are unclean! ... begin at the house of God; and if it first begin at ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/the ten commandments/1 3 the preface to the.htm

The Sun Rising Upon a Dark World
... is not to be restrained to the first and more ... to perish by hunger, by enemies, or
wild beasts "who, if ... foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon viii the sun rising.htm

"And the Redeemer Shall Come unto Zion, and unto them that Turn,"
... places as dead men; all roaring like beasts, and mourning ... of devils, and a cage of
every unclean and hateful ... had one eye always back to his first coming, and ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xiv and the redeemer.htm

Jesus, the Great Object of Astonishment.
... It was occasioned, first, by His constant sympathy with the ... the throne and of the
four beasts, and in ... ashes of an heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctified to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/till he come/jesus the great object of.htm

Scriptural Poems; Being Several Portions of Scripture Digested ...
... Nor may she eat of things that are unclean, From all ... And he from first to last them
searched round, And ... let thy brethren straightway lade Their beasts with corn ...
/.../scriptural poems being several portions.htm