Deuteronomy 15:19-23·~1 min

Firstborn Animals

Every firstborn male from herd and flock is to be set apart to the LORD and kept from ordinary use. Each year it is to be eaten before the LORD in the place he chooses.

Y¹⁹ou must set apart to the LORD your God every firstborn male produced by your herds and flocks. You are not to put the firstborn of your oxen to work, nor are you to shear the firstborn of your flock. ²⁰Each year you and your household are to eat it before the LORD your God in the place the LORD will choose.

If the firstborn animal has a serious defect, it must not be sacrificed to the LORD. It may be eaten within the towns like wild game, but its blood must still not be eaten.

²¹But if an animal has a defect, is lame or blind, or has any serious flaw, you must not sacrifice it to the LORD your God. ²²Eat it within your gates; both the ceremonially unclean and clean may eat it as they would a gazelle or a deer. ²³But you must not eat the blood; pour it on the ground like water.

Section summaryThe chapter closes by turning from debts and servants to the firstborn of herd and flock, which belong to the LORD and may not be used for ordinary labor. Sound animals are eaten before the LORD in the chosen place, while flawed ones are eaten locally but never offered as sacrifice.

Role in the chapterThis final section gathers the chapter back into worship. It shows that release and generosity belong within a larger life where increase itself is first acknowledged as the LORD’s.