The firstborn of both man and beast within the nation of Israel belonged to the Lord. This type of consecration was a formidable challenge for the people. It meant that they had to first yield their lives to the Lord. There was a special case when it came to a donkey. The donkey was not acceptable as a sacrifice. The people were to redeem the firstborn male donkey by sacrificing a lamb or by breaking the donkey’s neck, thus killing it without spilling blood.