John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 13:13
And every firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb ,.... Which was given to the priest for it; and according to the Jewish canon F6 Misn. Becorot, sect. 1. sect. 5. , it might be redeemed with that only;"not with a calf, nor with an animal (a goat or a ram, as Bartenora interprets it), nor with a lamb slain, or torn to pieces.'Jarchi thinks the ass only was to be redeemed, and not the firstling of any other unclean creature, but his reasons are insufficient; all unclean... read more
Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 13:11-16
Here we have, I. Further directions concerning the dedicating of their firstborn to God. 1. The firstlings of their cattle were to be dedicated to God, as part of their possessions. Those of clean beasts?calves, lambs, and kids?if males, were to be sacrificed, Exod. 22:30; Num. 18:17, 18. Those of unclean beasts, as colts, were to be redeemed with a lamb, or knocked on the head. For whatsoever is unclean (as we all are by nature), if it be not redeemed, will be destroyed, Exod. 13:11, 13. 2.... read more