SAnctifie unto me] That is, set them apart for my use, that they may offer up themselves a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable in my sight, Romans 12:1. Exodus 12:13. 15. &22. 29. &34. 19. Leviticus 27:16. Numbers 3:13. &Numbers 8:16. Luke 2:23. all the first borne] The first borne of cleane creatures were to be sacrificed, Numbers 18:17. of the uncleane to be redeemed, and a price must be given to the Priests for their redemption; both of them, by way of gratefull memoriall of Gods mercy, in sparing the first borne of Israel, when he slew the first borne of Egypt, vers. 15. The first borne of men were to be set apart, for especiall service to God, and they were reckoned for the first borne, though a daughter had beene borne before: in stead of which first borne, the Lord afterward tooke the Levites to his service, Numbers 8:15-16. Under this title of dedication and appropriation of God, an especiall holinesse was required of them: and in regard of that holinesse, all that are sanctified, are called the first borne, Hebrews 12:23. * Genesis 4:4. Colossians 1:15. 1 Corinthians 5:20. is mine] So are all things, by right of creation, and preservation: but the first borne are his by peculiar right, and to be offered to him for sacrifice, or for redemption, in remembrance of Gods mercy, as in the precedent Note. Of this generall and particular right of God, see Annot. 5. on Chap. 19. 5: 5.