The Meaning of Exodus 34:19 Explained

Exodus 34:19

KJV: All that openeth the matrix is mine; and every firstling among thy cattle, whether ox or sheep, that is male.

YLT: All opening a womb are Mine, and every firstling of thy cattle born a male, ox or sheep;

Darby: All that openeth the womb is mine; and all the cattle that is born a male, the firstling of ox and sheep.

ASV: All that openeth the womb is mine; and all thy cattle that is male, the firstlings of cow and sheep.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

All that openeth  the matrix  [is] mine; and every firstling  among thy cattle,  [whether] ox  or sheep,  [that is male  ]. 

What does Exodus 34:19 Mean?

Context Summary

Exodus 34:18-35 - Moses Brings The Renewed Tables Of The Law
For forty days, with no sustenance from bread or water, Moses abode on the Mount-absorbed with a passion of love and awe-not counting the hours which passed like a dream. He talked with God as a man face to face with His friend; but he was completely unaware of the marvelous transformation which this holy intercourse was effecting. At God's dictation he wrote out the covenant, as we have it in this Book, and finally God gave him the two tables of stone, on which He had imprinted His autograph.
With these in his hand Moses descended to the plain, unconscious that his face shone. See 2 Corinthians 3:18, r.v. The Apostle urges that we, as Christians, should first behold, and then reflect the glory of Jesus. We must be mirrors, for the purpose of shedding His light among our fellow-men; and in the effort to do this we shall become transfigured into His glorious beauty from one degree to another. The crowning glory of that transfiguration will be our unconsciousness: "He wist not." [source]

Chapter Summary: Exodus 34

1  The tablets are replaced
5  The name of the Lord proclaimed
8  Moses entreats God to go with them
10  God makes a covenant with them, repeating certain duties
28  Moses after forty days on the mount, comes down with the tablets
29  His face is radiant, and he covers it with a veil

What do the individual words in Exodus 34:19 mean?

All [are] that open the womb Mine and every your livestock - male firstborn among [whether] ox or sheep
כָּל־ פֶּ֥טֶר רֶ֖חֶם לִ֑י וְכָֽל־ מִקְנְךָ֙ תִּזָּכָ֔ר פֶּ֖טֶר שׁ֥וֹר וָשֶֽׂה

כָּל־  All  [are] 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: כֹּל  
Sense: all, the whole.
פֶּ֥טֶר  that  open 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: פֶּטֶר 
Sense: firstborn, firstling, that which separates or first opens.
רֶ֖חֶם  the  womb 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: רֶחֶם  
Sense: womb.
לִ֑י  Mine 
Parse: Preposition, first person common singular
וְכָֽל־  and  every 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: כֹּל  
Sense: all, the whole.
מִקְנְךָ֙  your  livestock 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, second person masculine singular
Root: מִקְנֶה  
Sense: cattle, livestock.
תִּזָּכָ֔ר  - 
Parse: Verb, Nifal, Imperfect, third person feminine singular
Root: זָכַר 
Sense: to remember, recall, call to mind.
פֶּ֖טֶר  male  firstborn  among 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: פֶּטֶר 
Sense: firstborn, firstling, that which separates or first opens.
שׁ֥וֹר  [whether]  ox 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: שֹׁור  
Sense: ox, bull, a head of cattle.
וָשֶֽׂה  or  sheep 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine singular
Root: שֶׂה  
Sense: one of a flock, lamb, sheep, goat, young sheep, young goat.