Numbers 18:15
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.
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, Exodus 13:2;
whether it be of men or beasts, shall be 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
Numbers 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 Exodus 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, Exodus 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.