Dictionary of Bible Themes: 5688 firstborn

5688 firstborn

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 10:15 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

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 25:31-34 See also Hebrews 12:16-17

These privileges could be transferred

Genesis 48:14 See also Genesis 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 4:23 See also Exodus 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 4:4 See also Genesis 22:1-2,12

After the exodus

Exodus 13:1-2 See also Exodus 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 1:18 See also Revelation 1:5

God's people honoured as his “firstborn”

Israel

Exodus 4:22

David

See also Psalm 89:27 prophetic of Jesus Christ

Ephraim

Jeremiah 31:9

The church

Hebrews 12:23