The right of the firstborn son in ancient Israel to inherit his father's estate. Where the property was divided, the firstborn received a double share.
Birthright was recognised amongst the patriarchs
Abraham left everything he owned to Isaac. But while he was still alive, Abraham gave gifts to the sons of his concubines and sent them away from his son Isaac to the land of the east.
Then Jacob gave some bread and lentil stew to Esau, who ate and drank and then got up and went away. Thus Esau despised his birthright.
Birthright and the law
It was guaranteed under the law
Deuteronomy 21:15–17 See also 1 Chronicles 26:10 some ignored this law
If a man has two wives, one beloved and the other unloved, and both bear him sons, but the unloved wife has the firstborn son, when that man assigns his inheritance to his sons he must not appoint the son of the beloved wife as the firstborn over the son of the unloved wife. Instead, he must acknowledge the firstborn, the son of his unloved wife, by giving him a double portion of all that he has. For that son is the firstfruits of his father’s strength; the right of the firstborn belongs to him.
Daughters and others could inherit if there were no sons
Only sons of a lawful marriage qualified
Genesis 21:8–13; Judges 11:1–2
Birthright and kingship
Succession was normally to the firstborn
2 Chronicles 21:1–3 See also 2 Chronicles 11:18–22 favouritism could intrude here also
And Jehoshaphat rested with his fathers and was buried with them in the City of David. And his son Jehoram reigned in his place. Jehoram’s brothers, the sons of Jehoshaphat, were Azariah, Jehiel, Zechariah, Azariah, Michael, and Shephatiah; these were all sons of Jehoshaphat king of Israel. Their father had given them many gifts of silver and gold and precious things, as well as the fortified cities in Judah; but he gave the kingdom to Jehoram because he was the firstborn.
Transfer of the birthright
Through misconduct
1 Chronicles 5:1 See also Genesis 49:3–4
These were the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel. Though he was the firstborn, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel, because Reuben defiled his father’s bed. So he is not reckoned according to birthright.
By transaction
Genesis 25:29–34 See also Hebrews 12:16–17
One day, while Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the field and was famished. He said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am famished.” (That is why he was also called Edom.) “First sell me your birthright,” Jacob replied. “Look,” said Esau, “I am about to die, so what good is a birthright to me?” “Swear to me first,” Jacob said. So Esau swore to Jacob and sold him the birthright. Then Jacob gave some bread and lentil stew to Esau, who ate and drank and then got up and went away. Thus Esau despised his birthright.
The Christian birthright
Romans 8:17 Jesus Christ is the firstborn over all creation; by the grace of God Christians share in his inheritance. See also Galatians 4:7; Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 1:2
And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ — if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.