²⁶ “‘No one, however, may dedicate the firstborn of an animal, since the firstborn already belongs to the Lord;^(A) whether an ox^[a] or a sheep, it is the Lord’s.

² “Consecrate to me every firstborn male.^(A) The first offspring of every womb among the Israelites belongs to me, whether human or animal.”

The Firstborn Animals

¹⁹ Set apart for the Lord^(A) your God every firstborn male^(B) of your herds and flocks.^(C) Do not put the firstborn of your cows to work, and do not shear the firstborn of your sheep.^(D)

¹⁷ “But you must not redeem the firstborn of a cow, a sheep or a goat; they are holy.^(A) Splash their blood^(B) against the altar and burn their fat^(C) as a food offering, an aroma pleasing to the Lord.^(D)

³⁰ Do the same with your cattle and your sheep.^(A) Let them stay with their mothers for seven days, but give them to me on the eighth day.^(B)

¹² you are to give over to the Lord the first offspring of every womb. All the firstborn males of your livestock belong to the Lord.^{(A) 13} Redeem with a lamb every firstborn donkey,^(B) but if you do not redeem it, break its neck.^(C) Redeem^(D) every firstborn among your sons.^(E)