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Numbers 8:17 - Divine claim on firstborn redemption.

Numbers 8:17 - במדבר 8:17

Hebrew Text

כִּי לִי כָל־בְּכוֹר בִּבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל בָּאָדָם וּבַבְּהֵמָה בְּיוֹם הַכֹּתִי כָל־בְּכוֹר בְּאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם הִקְדַּשְׁתִּי אֹתָם לִי׃

English Translation

For all the firstborn of the children of Yisra᾽el are mine, both man and beast: on the day that I smote every firstborn in the land of Miżrayim I sanctified them for myself.

Transliteration

Ki li kol-bekhor bivnei Yisrael ba'adam uvabehema beyom hakoti kol-bekhor be'eretz Mitzrayim hikdashti otam li.

Hebrew Leining Text

כִּ֣י לִ֤י כׇל־בְּכוֹר֙ בִּבְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל בָּאָדָ֖ם וּבַבְּהֵמָ֑ה בְּי֗וֹם הַכֹּתִ֤י כׇל־בְּכוֹר֙ בְּאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֔יִם הִקְדַּ֥שְׁתִּי אֹתָ֖ם לִֽי׃
כִּ֣י לִ֤י כׇל־בְּכוֹר֙ בִּבְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל בָּאָדָ֖ם וּבַבְּהֵמָ֑ה בְּי֗וֹם הַכֹּתִ֤י כׇל־בְּכוֹר֙ בְּאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֔יִם הִקְדַּ֥שְׁתִּי אֹתָ֖ם לִֽי׃

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Parasha Commentary

Understanding the Sanctity of the Firstborn

The verse (Bamidbar 3:13) states: "כִּי לִי כָל־בְּכוֹר בִּבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל בָּאָדָם וּבַבְּהֵמָה" ("For all the firstborn of the children of Yisrael are Mine, both man and beast"). This declaration establishes a fundamental principle in Jewish law—the inherent sanctity of firstborn males, both human and animal, as belonging to Hashem.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi explains that this sanctity originated during the Exodus from Egypt, when Hashem struck down the Egyptian firstborn but spared the Israelite firstborn. As a result, the Israelite firstborn were consecrated to divine service. Rashi emphasizes that this status was not voluntary but a divine decree: "הִקְדַּשְׁתִּי אֹתָם לִי" ("I sanctified them for Myself").

Rambam's Perspective

In Hilchot Bikkurim, the Rambam (Maimonides) elaborates that the firstborn's sanctity obligates their redemption (pidyon haben) for humans and sacrificial offerings for kosher animals. Non-kosher firstborn animals are exempt but still retain a degree of sanctity. This reflects the verse's distinction between human and animal firstborn while affirming their shared origin in the Exodus miracle.

Midrashic Insights

  • The Mechilta connects this verse to Shemot 13:2, teaching that the firstborn's sanctity is eternal, even after the Levites replaced them in Temple service (Bamidbar 3:45).
  • Sifrei notes that the phrase "בְּיוֹם הַכֹּתִי" ("on the day I struck") underscores the immediacy of their sanctification—it was irrevocably established at that moment.

Halachic Implications

The Talmud (Bechorot 4b) derives from this verse that a firstborn's sanctity applies even if the mother's labor began in Egypt but concluded after the Exodus. This reinforces the idea that their status stems from divine intervention, not human action. The Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 305) codifies the practical laws of pidyon haben based on this principle.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Bechorot 4b
The verse is discussed in the context of the laws regarding the firstborn of both humans and animals, and how they are sanctified to God.
📖 Pesachim 96b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the sanctification of the firstborn during the Exodus from Egypt.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Numbers 8:17 mean when it says 'all the firstborn are mine'?
A: This verse means that after the Exodus from Egypt, Hashem designated all firstborn males of Israel (both humans and animals) as holy to Him. This was because He spared the Jewish firstborn during the Plague of the Firstborn in Egypt (Rashi on Numbers 8:17).
Q: Why did Hashem claim the firstborn of Israel as His own?
A: Hashem sanctified the firstborn as a remembrance of the miracle when He spared Jewish firstborns during the final plague in Egypt (Exodus 12). Originally, the firstborn were meant to serve in the Mishkan (Tabernacle), but after the sin of the Golden Calf, this role was given to the Levites instead (Midrash Tanchuma, Bamidbar 4).
Q: How does this verse about firstborn apply to Jews today?
A: Today we commemorate this concept through: 1) Pidyon HaBen (redemption of firstborn sons), 2) Special mitzvot regarding firstborn kosher animals, and 3) Remembering Hashem's miracles during the Exodus. The firstborn's sanctity teaches us that everything ultimately belongs to Hashem (Rambam, Hilchot Bikkurim).
Q: What's the difference between human and animal firstborns in this verse?
A: Human firstborns were to be redeemed (through Pidyon HaBen), while firstborn kosher animals were given to the Kohanim for sacrifices. Non-kosher animals (like donkeys) could be redeemed with a lamb (Exodus 13:13). This distinction shows different levels of sanctity (Talmud, Bechorot 5b).
Q: Why does the verse mention the plague in Egypt?
A: The reference to the plague reminds us that this sanctification of firstborns is directly connected to that miracle. Just as Hashem distinguished between Egyptian and Jewish firstborns, He established an eternal distinction between what is holy and mundane (Sforno on Numbers 8:17).