The LORD said to Moses introduces again the words of Yahweh to Moses, since 12.50-51 is a narrative summary inserted within this instructional material. It is significant that Aaron is not included this time.

Consecrate to me is the verb “to be holy,” but it is used here as an imperative with the meaning “you [singular] designate or set apart as holy.” Although this is addressed only to Moses, it is intended for all Israelites. “Dedicate” has the same meaning. To me means to Yahweh. Durham has “set apart for me.” Another way to express this is “Set apart as belonging to me.” All the first-born probably refers just to “the first-born males” (Good News Translation). (See verses 12 and 15, and the comment at 11.5.)

Whatever is the first to open the womb is a technical expression that means the same as first-born. It should be noted, however, that this Hebrew expression does not specify the gender, whether male or female, so Translator’s Old Testament‘s “first child” is perhaps more accurate. (See also verses 12-13 and 34.19-20.) Good News Translation simply repeats “Every first-born male Israelite,” and Contemporary English Version has “the first-born son of every family”; but in some languages it may be necessary here to specify the firstborn of the mother. Revised English Bible has “the first birth of every womb,” and Translator’s Old Testament has “the first child born to every Israelite woman.” Among the people of Israel, literally “sons of Israel,” means “Israelites” in general (New Revised Standard Version).

Both of man and of beast uses the generic term for both “human beings” and “animals” (New Revised Standard Version). On the basis of verses 12 and 15, Good News Translation indicates that “male” is intended in both cases. Is mine is literally “to me that,” meaning “belongs to me” (Good News Translation). In some languages it will be helpful to have a separate sentence for this clause; for example, “These belong to me.”

An alternative translation model for this verse is:

• The LORD said to Moses, “You [plural] must set apart as belonging to me all the firstborn sons of every Israelite family and the firstborn males of your animals. These belong to me.”

Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .