Bible Study What does this mean?

[Tara]

"You must give me the firstborn of your sons. 30 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. (Exodus 22:29-30)

What does it mean to "give" your sons and livestock to God? It almost sounds like it's advocating human sacrifice. Maybe you can explain the meaning of this verse, because I don't understand it at all... :-?

 

[Collier]

This passage is an abbreviated version of what had already been discussed in Exodus 13:1-16. I believe if you look here that the passage you are asking about will become clear. If you still have trouble understanding, then I will be happy to explain.

 

[wavy]

This will provide the answer:

Numbers 8:13 And thou shalt set the Levites before Aaron, and before his sons, and offer them for an offering unto YHWH.
Numbers 8:14 Thus shalt thou separate the Levites from among the children of Israel: and the Levites shall be mine.
Numbers 8:15 And after that shall the Levites go in to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation: and thou shalt cleanse them, and offer them for an offering.

They were given/offered for devoted service to Yahweh in the Tabernacle. How does this tie in with the firstborn of Israel and their cattle being given to Yahweh? The next verses tell us:

Numbers 8:16 For they are wholly given unto me from among the children of Israel; instead of such as open every womb, even instead of the firstborn of all the children of Israel, have I taken them unto me.
Numbers 8:17 For all the firstborn of the children of Israel are mine, both man and beast: on the day that I smote every firstborn in the land of Egypt I sanctified them for myself.
Numbers 8:18 And I have taken the Levites for all the firstborn of the children of Israel.

 

[Gendou Ikari]

This is a little off topic but, Wavy, which Bible did you quote from?

 

[wavy]

KJV

 

[Gendou Ikari]

Oh, yeah! I see that now. You just substituted the LORD for YHWH (the proper translation might I add.)