Reference: Birthright
American
The privilege of the firstborn son. Among the Hebrews, as indeed among most other nations, the firstborn enjoyed particular privileges; and wherever polygamy was tolerated, it was highly necessary to fix them, De 21:15-17. Besides the father's chief blessing, Ge 27, and various minor advantages, the firstborn son was, first, specially consecrated to the Lord,
Ex 13:11-16; 22:29; and the firstborn son of a priest succeeded his father in the priestly office. Among the sons of Jacob, Reuben the firstborn forfeited the right of the firstborn, Ge 35:22; 49:3-4, and God gave it to Levi, Nu 3:12-13; 8:18. Secondly, the firstborn was entitled to a share of his father's estate twice as large as any of the other brethren received, De 21:17. Thirdly, he succeeded to the official dignities and rights of his father, 2Ch 21:3. In some of these privileges there is an allusion to Him, who is "the firstborn among many brethren," Ro 8:29; Col 1:18; Heb 1:2-6. Universal dominion is his, and an everlasting priesthood.
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And it chanced, as Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father's concubine, and it came to Israel's ear. The sons of Jacob were twelve in number.
"Reuben, thou art mine eldest son, my might and the beginning of my strength, chief in receiving and chief in power. As unstable as water wast thou: thou shalt therefore not be the chiefest, for thou wentest up upon thy father's bed, and then defiledest thou my couch with going up.
"Moreover, when the LORD hath brought thee into the land of the Canaanites, as he hath sworn unto thee and to thy fathers, and hath given it thee, then thou shalt appoint unto the LORD all that openeth the matrix, and all the firstborn among the beasts which thou hast if they be males. read more. And all the firstborn of the asses, thou shalt redeem with a sheep: if thou redeem him not, then break his neck. But all the firstborn among thy children shalt thou buy out. And when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, 'What is this?' Thou shalt say unto him, 'With a mighty hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. And when Pharaoh was loath to let us go, the LORD slew all the firstborn in the land of Egypt: as well the firstborn of men as of beasts. And therefore I sacrifice unto the LORD all the males that open the matrix, but all the firstborn of my children I must redeem.' And this shall be as a token in thine hand, and as a thing hanged up between thine eyes: because the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand."
Thy fruits, whether they be dry or moist, see thou keep not back. Thy firstborn son thou shalt give me:
"Behold, I have taken the Levites, from among the children of Israel, for all the firstborn that openeth the matrix among the children of Israel: so that the Levites shall be mine. Because all the firstborn are mine - for the same day that I smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I hallowed unto me all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast, and mine they shall be: for I am the LORD."
and I have taken the Levites for all the firstborn among the children of Israel,
If a man have two wives, one loved and another hated, and they have borne him children, both the loved and also the hated; if the firstborn be the son of the hated: then when he dealeth his goods among his children, he may not make the son of the beloved firstborn before the son of the hated which is indeed the firstborn: read more. But he shall know the son of the hated for his firstborn, that he give him double of all that he hath. For he is the first of his strength, and to him belongeth the right of the firstbornship.
But he shall know the son of the hated for his firstborn, that he give him double of all that he hath. For he is the first of his strength, and to him belongeth the right of the firstbornship.
And their father gave them many great gifts in silver, gold and other precious things with strong cities in Judah: but the kingdom he gave to Jehoram, because he was the eldest.
For those which he knew before, he also ordained before, that they should be like fashioned unto the shape of his son, that he might be the first begotten son among many brethren.
And he is the head of the body, that is, to wit, of the congregation: he is the beginning and first begotten of the dead, that in all things he might have the preeminence.
but in these last days he hath spoken unto us by his son, whom he hath made heir of all things: by whom also he made the world. Which son, being the brightness of his glory, and very image of his substance, bearing up all things with the word of his power, hath in his own person purged our sins, and is sitten on the righthand of the majesty on high, read more. and is more excellent than the angels, inasmuch as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than have they. For unto which of the angels said he at any time, "Thou art my son, this day begat I thee?" And again, "I will be his father, and he shall be my son." And again when he bringeth in the first begotten son into the world, he saith, "And all the angels of God shall worship him."
Easton
(1.) This word denotes the special privileges and advantages belonging to the first-born son among the Jews. He became the priest of the family. Thus Reuben was the first-born of the patriarchs, and so the priesthood of the tribes belonged to him. That honour was, however, transferred by God from Reuben to Levi (Nu 3:12-13; 8:18).
(2.) The first-born son had allotted to him also a double portion of the paternal inheritance (De 21:15-17). Reuben was, because of his undutiful conduct, deprived of his birth-right (Ge 49:4; 1Ch 5:1). Esau transferred his birth-right to Jacob (Ge 25:33).
(3.) The first-born inherited the judicial authority of his father, whatever it might be (2Ch 21:3). By divine appointment, however, David excluded Adonijah in favour of Solomon.
(4.) The Jews attached a sacred importance to the rank of "first-born" and "first-begotten" as applied to the Messiah (Ro 8:29; Col 1:18; Heb 1:4-6). As first-born he has an inheritance superior to his brethren, and is the alone true priest.
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And Jacob said, "Swear to me then this day." And he swore to him and sold his birthright unto Jacob.
As unstable as water wast thou: thou shalt therefore not be the chiefest, for thou wentest up upon thy father's bed, and then defiledest thou my couch with going up.
"Behold, I have taken the Levites, from among the children of Israel, for all the firstborn that openeth the matrix among the children of Israel: so that the Levites shall be mine. Because all the firstborn are mine - for the same day that I smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I hallowed unto me all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast, and mine they shall be: for I am the LORD."
and I have taken the Levites for all the firstborn among the children of Israel,
If a man have two wives, one loved and another hated, and they have borne him children, both the loved and also the hated; if the firstborn be the son of the hated: then when he dealeth his goods among his children, he may not make the son of the beloved firstborn before the son of the hated which is indeed the firstborn: read more. But he shall know the son of the hated for his firstborn, that he give him double of all that he hath. For he is the first of his strength, and to him belongeth the right of the firstbornship.
And their father gave them many great gifts in silver, gold and other precious things with strong cities in Judah: but the kingdom he gave to Jehoram, because he was the eldest.
For those which he knew before, he also ordained before, that they should be like fashioned unto the shape of his son, that he might be the first begotten son among many brethren.
And he is the head of the body, that is, to wit, of the congregation: he is the beginning and first begotten of the dead, that in all things he might have the preeminence.
and is more excellent than the angels, inasmuch as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than have they. For unto which of the angels said he at any time, "Thou art my son, this day begat I thee?" And again, "I will be his father, and he shall be my son." read more. And again when he bringeth in the first begotten son into the world, he saith, "And all the angels of God shall worship him."
Fausets
A double portion fell to the firstborn, compare De 21:15-17, whence Joseph's two sons, who received the birthright forfeited by Reuben the firstborn, were counted as heads of the tribes Ephraim and Manasseh (Ge 48:5-6,22; 49:4; 1Ch 5:1). The "princes" of the congregation were so probably by primogeniture (Nu 7:2; 21:18). The rebellion of the Reubenite leaders, Dathan and Abiram, may have arisen through jealousy at the preeminence which others enjoyed above them, Reuben their first father baring had originally the primogeniture; compare Nu 16:1-2, with Nu 26:5-9. Esau transferred his birthright to Jacob for a paltry mess of pottage, profanely setting at nought what was the spiritual privilege connected with it, the being progenitor of the promised Messiah (Ge 25:33; Heb 12:16-17).
It is striking how often God set aside the birthright, in order to show that the objects of His choice are "born not of bloods (Greek natural descents), nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God" (Joh 1:13).Thus Isaac is preferred to Ishmael, Jacob to Esau, Joseph to Reuben, David to his elder brothers. Solomon to Adonijah the elder of the two (1Ki 2:15). Ordinarily the firstborn inherited the throne (2Ch 21:3), typifying Messiah the "first begotten" of the Father, "the Firstborn among many brethren," and Heir of all things (Ro 8:29; Heb 1:6). All the firstborn of Israel were claimed by Jehovah as His, He having saved them when Egypt's firstborn were slain (Ex 22:29). He allowed them to be redeemed, and the tribe of Levi to serve Him in their stead (Nu 3:12-13). The whole nation was God's firstborn among all the peoples (Ex 4:22). The spiritual Israel in a still higher sense is "the church of the first born written in heaven" (enrolled as its citizens in the book of life) (Heb 12:23; Jas 1:18; Re 14:1-4).
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And Jacob said, "Swear to me then this day." And he swore to him and sold his birthright unto Jacob.
And Jacob said, "Swear to me then this day." And he swore to him and sold his birthright unto Jacob.
Now therefore thy two sons Manasseh and Ephraim which were born unto thee before I came to thee, into Egypt, shall be mine: even as Reuben and Simeon shall they be unto me.
Now therefore thy two sons Manasseh and Ephraim which were born unto thee before I came to thee, into Egypt, shall be mine: even as Reuben and Simeon shall they be unto me. And the children which thou gettest after them, shall be thine own: but shall be called with the names of their brethren in their inheritances.
And the children which thou gettest after them, shall be thine own: but shall be called with the names of their brethren in their inheritances.
Moreover, I give unto thee a portion of land above thy brethren which I gat out of the hands of the Amorites with my sword and with my bow."
Moreover, I give unto thee a portion of land above thy brethren which I gat out of the hands of the Amorites with my sword and with my bow."
As unstable as water wast thou: thou shalt therefore not be the chiefest, for thou wentest up upon thy father's bed, and then defiledest thou my couch with going up.
As unstable as water wast thou: thou shalt therefore not be the chiefest, for thou wentest up upon thy father's bed, and then defiledest thou my couch with going up.
And tell Pharaoh, 'Thus sayeth the LORD: Israel is mine eldest son,
And tell Pharaoh, 'Thus sayeth the LORD: Israel is mine eldest son,
Thy fruits, whether they be dry or moist, see thou keep not back. Thy firstborn son thou shalt give me:
Thy fruits, whether they be dry or moist, see thou keep not back. Thy firstborn son thou shalt give me:
"Behold, I have taken the Levites, from among the children of Israel, for all the firstborn that openeth the matrix among the children of Israel: so that the Levites shall be mine.
"Behold, I have taken the Levites, from among the children of Israel, for all the firstborn that openeth the matrix among the children of Israel: so that the Levites shall be mine. Because all the firstborn are mine - for the same day that I smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I hallowed unto me all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast, and mine they shall be: for I am the LORD."
Because all the firstborn are mine - for the same day that I smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I hallowed unto me all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast, and mine they shall be: for I am the LORD."
then the princes of Israel, heads over the houses of their fathers which were the lords of the tribes that stood and numbered,
then the princes of Israel, heads over the houses of their fathers which were the lords of the tribes that stood and numbered,
And Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi; and Dathan and Abiram, the son of Eliab; and On the son of Peleth, the sons of Reuben,
And Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi; and Dathan and Abiram, the son of Eliab; and On the son of Peleth, the sons of Reuben, stood up before Moses, with other of the children of Israel: two hundred and fifty, heads of the congregation, and councilors, and men of fame.
stood up before Moses, with other of the children of Israel: two hundred and fifty, heads of the congregation, and councilors, and men of fame.
Reuben, the eldest son of Israel. The children of Reuben were, Hanoch, of whom cometh the kindred of the Hanochites; and of Pallu, cometh the kindred of the Palluites;
Reuben, the eldest son of Israel. The children of Reuben were, Hanoch, of whom cometh the kindred of the Hanochites; and of Pallu, cometh the kindred of the Palluites; And of Hezron, cometh the kindred of the Hezronites; and of Carmi, cometh the kindred of the Carmites.
And of Hezron, cometh the kindred of the Hezronites; and of Carmi, cometh the kindred of the Carmites. These are the kindreds of the Reubenites, which were in number forty three thousand seven hundred and thirty.
These are the kindreds of the Reubenites, which were in number forty three thousand seven hundred and thirty. And the sons of Pallu were Eliab.
And the sons of Pallu were Eliab. And the sons of Eliab were Nemuel, Dathan and Abiram. This is that Dathan and Abiram, councilors in the congregation, which strove against Moses and Aaron in the company of Korah, when they strove against the LORD.
And the sons of Eliab were Nemuel, Dathan and Abiram. This is that Dathan and Abiram, councilors in the congregation, which strove against Moses and Aaron in the company of Korah, when they strove against the LORD.
If a man have two wives, one loved and another hated, and they have borne him children, both the loved and also the hated;
If a man have two wives, one loved and another hated, and they have borne him children, both the loved and also the hated; if the firstborn be the son of the hated: then when he dealeth his goods among his children, he may not make the son of the beloved firstborn before the son of the hated which is indeed the firstborn:
if the firstborn be the son of the hated: then when he dealeth his goods among his children, he may not make the son of the beloved firstborn before the son of the hated which is indeed the firstborn: But he shall know the son of the hated for his firstborn, that he give him double of all that he hath. For he is the first of his strength, and to him belongeth the right of the firstbornship.
But he shall know the son of the hated for his firstborn, that he give him double of all that he hath. For he is the first of his strength, and to him belongeth the right of the firstbornship.
And he said, "Thou knowest that the kingdom was mine, and that all Israel put their eyes on me, that I should reign. Howbeit, the kingdom was turned away and given to my brother, for it was appointed him of the LORD: and now I ask a petition of thee, whereof deny me not."
And he said, "Thou knowest that the kingdom was mine, and that all Israel put their eyes on me, that I should reign. Howbeit, the kingdom was turned away and given to my brother, for it was appointed him of the LORD: and now I ask a petition of thee, whereof deny me not."
And their father gave them many great gifts in silver, gold and other precious things with strong cities in Judah: but the kingdom he gave to Jehoram, because he was the eldest.
And their father gave them many great gifts in silver, gold and other precious things with strong cities in Judah: but the kingdom he gave to Jehoram, because he was the eldest.
which were born not of blood nor of the will of the flesh, nor yet of the will of man: but of God.
which were born not of blood nor of the will of the flesh, nor yet of the will of man: but of God.
For those which he knew before, he also ordained before, that they should be like fashioned unto the shape of his son, that he might be the first begotten son among many brethren.
For those which he knew before, he also ordained before, that they should be like fashioned unto the shape of his son, that he might be the first begotten son among many brethren.
And again when he bringeth in the first begotten son into the world, he saith, "And all the angels of God shall worship him."
And again when he bringeth in the first begotten son into the world, he saith, "And all the angels of God shall worship him."
and that there be no fornicator, or unclean person, as Esau, which for one breakfast sold his birthright.
and that there be no fornicator, or unclean person, as Esau, which for one breakfast sold his birthright. Ye know how that afterward when that he would have inherited the blessing, he was put by, and he found no means to come thereby again: no, though he desired it with tears.
Ye know how that afterward when that he would have inherited the blessing, he was put by, and he found no means to come thereby again: no, though he desired it with tears.
and unto the congregation of the first born sons, which are written in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of just and perfect men:
and unto the congregation of the first born sons, which are written in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of just and perfect men:
Of his own will begat he us with the word of life, that we should be the first fruits of his creatures.
Of his own will begat he us with the word of life, that we should be the first fruits of his creatures.
And I looked, and, lo, a lamb stood on the mount Zion, and with him a hundred and forty four thousand having his father's name written in their foreheads.
And I looked, and, lo, a lamb stood on the mount Zion, and with him a hundred and forty four thousand having his father's name written in their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the sound of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder. And I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps.
And I heard a voice from heaven, as the sound of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder. And I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps. And they sang as it were a new song, before the seat, and before the four beasts, and the elders and no man could learn that song, but the hundred and forty four thousand which were redeemed from the earth.
And they sang as it were a new song, before the seat, and before the four beasts, and the elders and no man could learn that song, but the hundred and forty four thousand which were redeemed from the earth. These are they, which were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These follow the lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from men being the first fruits unto God and to the lamb,
These are they, which were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These follow the lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from men being the first fruits unto God and to the lamb,
Hastings
Smith
the advantages accruing to the eldest son. These were not definitely fixed in patriarchal times. Great respect was paid to him in the household, and, as the family widened into a tribe, this grew into a sustained authority, undefined save by custom, in all matters of common interest. Thus the "princes" of the congregation had probably rights of primogeniture.
(Gradually the rights of the eldest son came to be more definite: (1) The functions of the priesthood in the family with the paternal blessing. (2) A "double portion" of the paternal property was allotted by the Mosaic law.
De 21:16-17
(3) The eldest son succeeded to the official authority of the father. The first-born of the king was his successor by law.
In all these Jesus was the first-born of the father.
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then the princes of Israel, heads over the houses of their fathers which were the lords of the tribes that stood and numbered,
The name of the Israelite which was smitten with the Midianitish woman, was Zimri the son of Salu, a lord of an ancient house among the Simeonites.
if the firstborn be the son of the hated: then when he dealeth his goods among his children, he may not make the son of the beloved firstborn before the son of the hated which is indeed the firstborn: But he shall know the son of the hated for his firstborn, that he give him double of all that he hath. For he is the first of his strength, and to him belongeth the right of the firstbornship.
Watsons
BIRTHRIGHT, or PRIMOGENITURE, the right of the first-born or eldest son. The birthright, or right of primogeniture, had many privileges annexed to it. The first-born was consecrated to the Lord, Ex 22:29; had a double portion of the estate allotted him, De 21:17; had a dignity and authority over his brethren, Ge 49:3; succeeded in the government of the family or kingdom, 2Ch 21:3; and, as some with good reason suppose, in ancient times to the priesthood or chief government in matters, ecclesiastical. Jacob, having bought Esau's birthright, acquired a title to the particular blessing of his dying father; and, accordingly, he had consigned to him the privilege of the covenant which God made with Abraham, that from his loins the Messiah should spring; a prerogative which descended to his posterity. Reuben forfeited the blessings of his birthright, as we see by the express declaration of his father Jacob, in his benediction of his children, Ge 49:1, &c, for the crime of incest with his father's concubine, on account of which his tribe continued all along in obscurity; while the priesthood was conferred on Levi, the government on Judah, and the double portion on Joseph, to descend to their respective tribes. And this preeminence of the first born took place from the beginning, and as much belonged to Cain, before his forfeiture of it, as it did to Reuben before his. See Ge 4:7; 49:3. Thus the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, offered sacrifices, and were priests as well as kings in their respective families, Ge 12:7-8; 13:18; 17:7; 26:25; 31:54; 35:7. Job, in Arabia, acted in the same capacity, Job 1:5; and it is highly probable that, among the ancient Heathen nations in general, the first-born were entitled not only to the civil authority, but also to the priesthood. This seems to have been the case in Egypt, in the time of Moses: and hence Jehovah's destroying their first- born, as it was the last miracle wrought in that country before the Exodus, so was it the most dreadful, and most effectual in prevailing on Pharaoh and the Egyptians to dismiss the Israelites.
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But and if thou dost evil, by and by thy sin lieth open in the door. Notwithstanding, let it be subdued unto thee, and see thou rule it."
Then the LORD appeared unto Abram and said, "Unto thy seed will I give this land." And he built an altar there unto the LORD which appeared to him. Then departed he thence unto a mountain that lieth on the east side of Bethel and pitched his tent - Bethel being on the west side, and Ai on the east - and he built there an altar unto the LORD, and called on the name of the LORD.
Then Abram took down his tent, and went and dwelled in the oak grove of Mamre, which is in Hebron; and built there an altar to the LORD.
Moreover, I will make my covenant between me, and thee, and thy seed after thee; in their times to be an everlasting testament, so that I will be God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.
And then he built an altar there and called upon the name of the LORD, and there pitched his tent. And there Isaac's servants digged a well.
Then Jacob did sacrifice upon the mount, and called his brethren to eat bread. And they ate bread and tarried all night in the hill.
And he built there an altar, and called the place Elbethel: because that God appeared unto him there, when he fled from his brother.
And Jacob called for his sons and said, "Come together, that I may tell you what shall happen you in the last days.
"Reuben, thou art mine eldest son, my might and the beginning of my strength, chief in receiving and chief in power.
"Reuben, thou art mine eldest son, my might and the beginning of my strength, chief in receiving and chief in power.
Thy fruits, whether they be dry or moist, see thou keep not back. Thy firstborn son thou shalt give me:
But he shall know the son of the hated for his firstborn, that he give him double of all that he hath. For he is the first of his strength, and to him belongeth the right of the firstbornship.
And their father gave them many great gifts in silver, gold and other precious things with strong cities in Judah: but the kingdom he gave to Jehoram, because he was the eldest.
And it fortuned that when they had passed over the time of their banqueting round about; Job sent for them, and sanctified them, and gat up early, and offered for every one a burnt offering. For Job thought thus: "Peradventure my sons have done some offense, and have been unthankful to God in their hearts." And thus did Job everyday.