Dictionary of Bible Themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5650 Human relationships » 5688 firstborn
The firstborn male in a family; as in many cultures, in an Israelite family the eldest son had unique privileges, including the right of inheritance. The title “firstborn” was therefore a title of honour.
The privileges of the firstborn
The place of honour in the family
Genesis 10:15In this and other lists, the firstborn is specially noted ;Genesis 43:33See alsoGenesis 22:21;Genesis 25:13;Genesis 35:23;Genesis 36:15;Genesis 46:8;Deuteronomy 33:17
The right of inheritance
Deuteronomy 21:15-17;2 Chronicles 21:3
The right to a blessing
Genesis 27:19,30-39
The sin of despising these privileges
Genesis 25:31-34See alsoHebrews 12:16-17
These privileges could be transferred
Genesis 48:14See alsoGenesis 48:18-19;Genesis 49:3-4;1 Chronicles 2:3;Corinthians 5:1-2; 1 C 10
The death of the firstborn a great tragedy
Exodus 4:23See alsoExodus 11:4-6;Exodus 12:12,29;Numbers 33:4;Joshua 6:26;1 Kings 16:34;Psalm 78:51;Psalm 105:36;Psalm 135:8;Psalm 136:10;Hebrews 11:28
Repentance likened to grief over the death of a firstborn
Zechariah 12:10
God's claim upon the firstborn
In ancient times
Genesis 4:4See alsoGenesis 22:1-2,12
After the exodus
Exodus 13:1-2See alsoExodus 13:11-15;Exodus 22:29;Exodus 34:19-20;Numbers 18:15,17;Deuteronomy 14:23;Deuteronomy 15:19;Nehemiah 10:36
The Levites consecrated in place of the firstborn
Numbers 3:11-13,39-51;Numbers 8:15-18
The offering of a firstborn insufficient to redeem from the consequences of sin
Micah 6:7
Heathen sacrifice of the firstborn
2 Chronicles 28:3;Ezekiel 20:26
Jesus Christ the “firstborn”
The firstborn of Mary
Luke 2:7,22-23
The firstborn of God
Romans 8:29“firstborn” here means that Jesus Christ is above creation, rather than part of it. The title “firstborn” has strong Messianic associations ;Colossians 1:15;Hebrews 1:6
The “firstborn from the dead”
Colossians 1:18See alsoRevelation 1:5
God's people honoured as his “firstborn”
Israel
Exodus 4:22
David
See alsoPsalm 89:27prophetic of Jesus Christ
Ephraim
Jeremiah 31:9
The church
Hebrews 12:23
See also
1335 blessing
2069 Christ, pre-eminence
2218 Christ, Son of God
4442 firstfruits
5095 Jacob, life
5657 birthright
5701 heir
5703 inheritance
6710 privileges
7024 church, nature of
7222 exodus, events of
8218 consecration
