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 10:15 In this and other lists, the firstborn is specially noted; Genesis 43:33 See also Genesis 22:21, Genesis 25:13, Genesis 35:23, Genesis 36:15, Genesis 46:8; Deuteronomy 33:17

And Canaan was the father of Sidon his firstborn, and of the Hittites,

They were seated before Joseph in order by age, from the firstborn to the youngest, and the men looked at one another in astonishment.

“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.

These privileges could be transferred

Genesis 48:14 See also Genesis 48:18–19, Genesis 49:3–4; 1 Chronicles 2:3, 1 Chronicles 5:1–2, 1 Chronicles 26:10

But Israel stretched out his right hand and put it on the head of Ephraim, the younger; and crossing his hands, he put his left on Manasseh’s head, although Manasseh was the firstborn.

The death of the firstborn a great tragedy

Exodus 4:23 See also Exodus 11:4–6, Exodus 12:12, Exodus 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

and I told you to let My son go so that he may worship Me. But since you have refused to let him go, behold, I will kill your firstborn son!’”

Repentance likened to grief over the death of a firstborn

Zechariah 12:10

God's claim upon the firstborn

In ancient times

Genesis 4:4 See also Genesis 22:1–2, Genesis 22:12

while Abel brought the best portions of the firstborn of his flock. And the LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering,

After the exodus

Exodus 13:1–2 See also Exodus 13:11–15, Exodus 22:29, Exodus 34:19–20; Numbers 18:15, Numbers 18:17; Deuteronomy 14:23, Deuteronomy 15:19; Nehemiah 10:36

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Consecrate to Me every firstborn male. The firstborn from every womb among the Israelites belongs to Me, both of man and beast.”

The Levites consecrated in place of the firstborn

Numbers 3:11–13, Numbers 3:39–51, 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, Luke 2:22–23

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

For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers.

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

And again, when God brings His firstborn into the world, He says: “Let all God’s angels worship Him.”

The ``firstborn from the dead''

Colossians 1:18 See also Revelation 1:5

And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and firstborn from among the dead, so that in all things He may have preeminence.

God's people honoured as his ``firstborn''

Israel

Exodus 4:22

Then tell Pharaoh that this is what the LORD says: ‘Israel is My firstborn son,

David

See also Psalm 89:27 prophetic of Jesus Christ

Ephraim

Jeremiah 31:9

The church

Hebrews 12:23

in joyful assembly, to the congregation of the firstborn, enrolled in heaven. You have come to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,