Treasury of Scripture
shalt thou redeem. Redemption of the firstborn is one of the rites which are still practised among the Jews. According to Leo of Modena, it is performed in the following manner:-When the child is thirty days old, the father sends for one of the descendants of Aaron: several persons being assembled on the occasion, the father brings a cup, containing several pieces of gold and silver coin. The priest then takes the child into his arms, and addressing himself to the mother, he says,
1Is this thy son?' Mother. `Yes' Priest. `Hast thou never had another child, male or female, a miscarriage, or untimely birth?' Mother. `No' Priest. `this being the case, this child, as firstborn, belongs to me.' Then turning to his father, he says, If it be thy desire to have this child, thou must redeem it.' Father. `I present thee with this gold and silver for this purpose.' Priest. `Thou dost wish, therefore, to redeem this child?' Father. `I do wish so to do.' The priest then turning himself to the assembly, says, `Very well: this child, as first-born, is mine; as it is written in Bemidbar, Thou shall redeem the first-born of a month old for five shekels; but I shall content myself with this in
Exodus change.' He then takes two gold crowns, or thereabouts, and returns the child to his parents. according.
Numbers 3:47 You shall even take five shekels apiece by the poll, after the shekel of the sanctuary shall you take them...
Leviticus 27:2-7 Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them, When a man shall make a singular vow...
which is
Exodus 30:13 This they shall give, every one that passes among them that are numbered, half a shekel after the shekel of the sanctuary...
Leviticus 27:25 And all your estimations shall be according to the shekel of the sanctuary: twenty gerahs shall be the shekel.
Ezekiel 45:12 And the shekel shall be twenty gerahs: twenty shekels, five and twenty shekels, fifteen shekels, shall be your maneh.