Topical Bible: The Goat: First-Born of, not Redeemed

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the context of the Old Testament, the concept of the first-born holds significant theological and cultural importance. The first-born of both humans and animals were considered to be consecrated to the Lord. This principle is rooted in the events of the Exodus, where the first-born of Egypt were struck down, and the first-born of Israel were spared, thus belonging to God (Exodus 13:2, 12-15).

Biblical Mandate for Redemption

According to the Mosaic Law, the first-born of clean animals, such as oxen and sheep, were to be offered as sacrifices to the Lord. However, the first-born of unclean animals, such as donkeys, were to be redeemed with a lamb, or their necks were to be broken if not redeemed (Exodus 13:13; 34:20). The first-born of humans were also to be redeemed, typically through a monetary offering (Numbers 18:15-16).

The Goat: A Clean Animal

Goats, being clean animals, were subject to different regulations. The first-born of goats were not to be redeemed but were to be offered as sacrifices. This is outlined in the book of Numbers: "The firstborn of your sons you shall redeem. And you shall not appear before Me empty-handed. You are to present the firstborn of your sons to Me. You must do the same with your oxen and your sheep. They shall remain with their mother for seven days, and on the eighth day you are to give them to Me" (Numbers 18:15-17).

Symbolism and Significance

The offering of the first-born goat, like other clean animals, symbolizes the dedication and acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and provision. It serves as a reminder of the Israelites' deliverance from Egypt and their covenant relationship with God. The act of not redeeming the first-born goat underscores the principle of giving the best and the first to God, reflecting trust and obedience to His commandments.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the non-redemption of the first-born goat can be seen as a foreshadowing of the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who was not redeemed but offered for the sins of humanity. This typology highlights the continuity of God's redemptive plan from the Old Testament to the New Testament.

Practical Observance

In practical terms, the Israelites were to bring the first-born goats to the sanctuary as part of their worship and sacrificial system. This practice reinforced the community's collective identity as God's chosen people and their dependence on His grace and provision.

The regulations concerning the first-born, including goats, reflect the broader biblical themes of holiness, sacrifice, and redemption. They serve as a testament to God's unchanging nature and His desire for His people to live in faithful obedience.

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.
... there were no subsequent delivery it should prove to be the first-born but not merely
the ... the firstling of a sheep, or the firstling of a goat, thou shalt ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/the perpetual virginity of blessed.htm

An Unalterable Law
... as raiment and articles made of skins or goat's hair, were ... and they said, "Shall
we give our firstborn for our ... I am afraid he would not have succeeded if he had ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 60 1914/an unalterable law.htm

Light for them that Sit in Darkness;
... And she brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped him in swaddling-clothes ... precious
blood"'Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/light for them that sit.htm

Meditations on the Hindrances which Keep Back a Sinner from the ...
... it be a fearful mark of a reprobate goat (Hebrews 2 ... 5:26; xi.8), beyond which thou
shalt not pass. For then the first-born of death, mounted on his pale horse ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/meditations on the hindrances which.htm

Scriptural Types.
... the inmates from the destroyer of the first-born, so does ... to the victim, as in the
case of the scape-goat. ... the Mosaic economy, the people were not admitted to ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxvii scriptural types.htm

Covenanting Provided for in the Everlasting Covenant.
... whose ashes were for purification; the she-goat of three ... as allied in the capacity
of the First-born among many ... in covenant, so no soul that was not thus given ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter vi covenanting provided for.htm

The Priesthood of Christ
... things to come, not by the blood of goat, and calves ... our God kings and priests."
(v, 10.) Not content to ... Head of his body the Church, the first-born among many ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/oration iv the priesthood of.htm

Period iii. The Critical Period: AD 140 to AD 200
... of a crucified man that He is the first-born of the ... by his name; for the form is
not found exactly ... the wolf, the ape, the lion, and the goat, whose properties ...
/.../a source book for ancient church history/period iii the critical period .htm

Dialogue iii. --The Impassible.
... could not possibly be prefigured both at once by one goat. ... of Christ as in the text,
Destroy not him with ... of them that slept,' [1519] and The first born of the ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/dialogue iii the impassible.htm

Faustus States his Objections to the Morality of the Law and the ...
... their handmaids"led the life of a goat among them ... he might call Christ greedy of
the blood, not of beasts ... sacrifice of blood-shedding by which we are redeemed. ...
/.../faustus states his objections to.htm