Only thou shalt not eat the blood thereof ,.... Of the firstling: thou shalt pour it upon the ground as water ; See Gill on Deuteronomy 12:16 ; see Gill on Deuteronomy 12:23 ; see Gill on Deuteronomy 12:24 . read more
In Deuteronomy 12:6 , Deuteronomy 12:17 and in Deuteronomy 14:23 , reference is made to sacrificial meals, and to the appropriation of the firstlings of the herds and flocks thereto; Moses here reverts to this, and gives a fuller exposition of it. It is enjoined that, as all the firstborn were to be sanctified to the Lord ( Exodus 13:2-13 ), they were not to work with the firstborn of their cattle, either by yoking the bullock to the plough or wagon or by shearing the sheep: these... read more
The firstlings. The solution of the apparent discrepancy between this passage and Numbers 18:18 seems to lie in the custom of inviting the worshippers to share in the feasts provided by their offerings. View the sanctification of the firstlings as symbolical. 1. Of God ' s claim on the first and choicest of what we have for his own service . 2. Of God ' s right to redeemed life . The firstlings were redeemed by God for himself on the memorable night of the deliverance... read more
The firstlings for God. The firstlings which were males were not to be reared for work, but kept for communion. They were to constitute, if perfect, a peace offering before God; if imperfect, they were to be eaten at home, imperfect fellowship between imperfect persons. Just as in the firstfruits God claimed the first share; so in the case of the firstlings of the herd or flock, and the firstborn among men. I. THE BEGINNINGS OF LIFE SHOULD BE RECOGNIZED AS GIFTS OF ... read more
The first for God. As God is supreme, so his claim to recognition and obedience must have consideration prior to all other claims. Such priority is his indefeasible right; such priority best subserves the interests of men. The first day of the week he claims and hallows; the firstfruits of the soil he claims for religious offering; the first place in our affections he asks as his due; the firstborn, both of man and of beast, he marks as his own. This is his royalty. I. THE ... read more
Compare Exodus 13:11 ff. The directions of the preceding legislation (see Numbers 18:15 ff) are here assumed, with the injunction added, that the animals thus set apart to God Deuteronomy 15:19 were not to be used by their owners for their earthly purposes. It is further allowed that firstborn animals which had a blemish should be regarded as exceptions, and instead of being given to God might be used as food Deuteronomy 15:21-22. The application of the firstborn of cattle is here directed as... read more
Firstborn animals (15:19-23)Since the firstborn of all animals belonged to God, people could not use them for their personal benefit (see notes on Exodus 13:1-16). Every firstborn clean animal was sacrificed to God and then eaten by the priests, unless it had some defect. In that case it was used as ordinary meat (19-23; see also Numbers 18:17-18). read more
thou. Some codices, with Targum of Onkelos, The Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel Septuagint, and Syriac, read "ye". read more
The sanctification of first-born cattle 15:19-23Moses had finished what he had to say about provisions for the needy (the Levites, aliens, orphans, widows, the poor, and slaves; Deuteronomy 14:22 to Deuteronomy 15:18). Here his thoughts turned back to the subject of the first-born of animals that he mentioned previously when he addressed the sacrificial meals (Deuteronomy 12:6; Deuteronomy 12:17; Deuteronomy 14:23).The Israelites were not to use their first-born male animals for personal gain... read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 15:19-29
Here is, 1. A repetition of the law concerning the firstlings of their cattle, that, if they were males, they were to be sanctified to the Lord (Deut. 15:19), in remembrance of, and in thankfulness for, the sparing of the first-born of Israel, when the first-born of the Egyptians, both of man and beast, were slain by the destroying angel (Exod. 13:2, 15); on the eighth day it was to be given to God ( Exod. 22:30), and to be divided between the priest and the altar, Num. 18:17, 18. 2. An... read more