Numbers 18:15

WEB

Everything that opens the womb, of all flesh which they offer to the Lord, both of man and animal shall be yours: nevertheless you shall surely redeem the firstborn of man, and you shall redeem the firstborn of unclean animals.

KJV

Every thing that openeth the matrix in all flesh, which they bring unto the LORD, whether it be of men or beasts, shall be thine: nevertheless the firstborn of man shalt thou surely redeem, and the firstling of unclean beasts shalt thou redeem.

Commentary

Every thing that openeth the matrix in all flesh,.... The firstborn of every creature: which they bring unto the Lord; as they were obliged, he claiming it as his own, Exo 13:2 , whether it be of men or beasts, shall b e thine; every firstborn of either, being the Lord's, became the priest's by his gift: nevertheless, the firstborn of man shalt thou surely redeem; that is, take the redemption price for it, which was five shekels, as in Num 18:16 ; for the original proprietor was, strictly speaking, the redeemer, and paid the money, and the priest was the receiver, to whom it was paid; see Exo 13:13 , and the firstlings of unclean beasts shall thou redeem; with lambs, as an ass, which is put for unclean beasts, is ordered to be redeemed with a lamb, or its neck to be broken, Exo 13:13 ; the Africans, the shepherds among them, as Herodotus relates (k), of their firstlings they cut off the ear of the beast and throw it over a house, and then turn its neck back, for they worship only the sun and moon; which seems to be an imitation of this law. (k) Melpomene, sive, l. 4. c. 188.