Following the Israelite Exodus from Egypt, after the nation had sinned with the golden calf, the priesthood was taken away from the first-borns, and given to the Tribe of Levi, specifically to the kohanim, that is: High Priest Aaron, his children, and their descendants. At the same time it was instituted that the first born of each family should be redeemed; i.e. they would be bought back from the dedication to God that would previously have been required of them. Levites were substituted for the first-born and wholly given to divine service: