Dictionary of Bible Themes 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. Genesis 10:15The privileges of the firstborn The place of honour in the family Genesis 43:33See also In this and other lists, the firstborn is specially noted Genesis 22:21; 25:13; 35:23; 36:15; 46:8Deuteronomy 33:17 Deuteronomy 21:15-17 2 Chronicles 21:3 The right of inheritance Genesis 27:19,30-39The right to a blessing Genesis 25:31-34See also The sin of despising these privileges Hebrews 12:16-17Genesis 48:14 See also These privileges could be transferred Genesis 48:18-19; 49:3-41 Chronicles 2:3; 5:1-2; 26:10 Exodus 4:23 The death of the firstborn a great tragedy See also Exodus 11:4-6; 12:12,29Numbers 33:4 Joshua 6:26 1 Kings 16:34 Psalms 78:51; 105:36; 135:8; 136:10 Hebrews 11:28 Zechariah 12:10 Repentance likened to grief over the death of a firstborn Genesis 4:4God's claim upon the firstborn See also In ancient times Genesis 22:1-2,12Exodus 13:1-2 See also After the exodus Exodus 13:11-15; 22:29; 34:19-20Numbers 18:15,17 Deuteronomy 14:23; 15:19 Nehemiah 10:36 Numbers 3:11-13,39-51; 8:15-18 The Levites consecrated in place of the firstborn Micah 6:7The offering of a firstborn insufficient to redeem from the consequences of sin 2 Chronicles 28:3Heathen sacrifice of the firstborn Ezekiel 20:26Luke 2:7,22-23 Jesus Christ the "firstborn" The firstborn of Mary Romans 8:29The firstborn of God Colossians 1:15Hebrews 1:6 "firstborn" here means that Jesus Christ is above creation, rather than part of it. The title "firstborn" has strong Messianic associations Colossians 1:18See also The "firstborn from the dead" Revelation 1:5Exodus 4:22 God's people honoured as his "firstborn" Israel See also Psalms 89:27David Jeremiah 31:9prophetic of Jesus Christ Ephraim Hebrews 12:23See also The church 1335 blessing2069 Jesus Christ, pre-eminence of 2218 Christ, Son of God 4442 firstfruits 5096 Jacob, patriarch 5658 boys 5701 heir 5703 inheritance 6712 propitiation 7024 church, nature of 7222 exodus, events of 8218 consecration |
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