Reference: Firstborn
American
This phrase is not always to be understood literally; it is sometimes taken for the prime, most excellent, most distinguished of things, Ps 89:27; Ro 8:29; Heb 1:4-6. Thus Jesus Christ is "the firstborn of every creature," Col 1:15, inasmuch as he was the "Only begotten" of the Father before any creature was produced. He is "the firstborn from the dead," Col 1:18, because he is the beginning, and the author of the resurrection of all who die in faith.
After the destroying angel had slain the firstborn of the Egyptians, God ordained that all the Jewish firstborn, both of men and of beasts for service, should be consecrated to him; but the male children only were subject to this law. If a man had several wives, he was obliged to offer the firstborn son by each one of them to the Lord. The firstborn were offered at the temple, and redeemed for five shekels. The firstling of a clean beast was offered at the temple, not to be redeemed, but to be killed; an unclean beast, a horse, an ass, or a camel, was either redeemed or exchanged; an ass was redeemed by a lamb or five shekels; if not redeemed, it was killed, Ex 13:2,11, etc. The firstborn son among the Hebrews, as among all other nations, enjoyed particular privileges. See BIRTHRIGHT.
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"Sanctify unto me all the firstborn that open all manner matrices among the children of Israel, as well of men as of beasts: for they are mine."
"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,
And I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth.
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.
which is the image of the invisible God, first begotten of all creatures:
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
(See BIRTHRIGHT.) Primogeniture gave princedom and priesthood in patriarchal times. So Esau and Jacob (Ge 25:23-33; Heb 12:16), Reuben (Ge 49:3; 1Ch 5:1). The oldest son in all Israelite families was regarded as sacred to God, because Israel's firstborn were exempted from the stroke which destroyed all the firstborn of Egypt on the first Passover night. The firstborn represented the whole people; Jehovah said to Pharaoh, "Israel is My son, My firstborn, and I say unto thee, Let My son go, that he may serve He; and if thou refuse to let him go, behold I will slay thy son, thy firstborn" (Ex 4:22-23). Israel, as Jehovah's firstborn, was designed to be a" kingdom of priests and an holy nation" (Ex 19:6).
It shall hereafter realize this high Calling in a degree that it has not yet realized it, standing as "the firstborn among many brethren" (like the antitypical Israel, Messiah, Ro 8:29; Heb 2:12), and priest among all nations, which in subordination to Jerusalem, the spiritual metropolis, shall be the kingdoms of our Lord and His Christ, then manifested (Isa 61:6; 66:21; Re 11:15; Zec 14:16; Jer 3:17). The tribe of Levi was substituted for all Israel's firstborn to minister to the Lord (Nu 3:12,45,50). There being 273 more of the firstborn in Israel than the males in Levi, the 273 were redeemed at five shekels apiece. Still, to mark the consecration of Israel to Jehovah, the redemption money was exacted for every firstborn (Nu 18:15). But the firstlings of cattle were to be offered to the Lord.
An donkey was however redeemed with a lamb, or else killed (Ex 13:13). Christ is the First-begotten. As such, He has the rights of primogeniture; for, as Heb 1:6 is in the Greek, "when God shall bring in again the First. begotten into the world, the shall be deemed worthy of not less honor, for "He saith (Ps 97:7), Let all the angels of God worship Him." His being "brought into the world" (oikoumenee, "the inhabited world"), as the theater of His power, mainly applies to His second advent. In (Col 1:16, "the Firstborn of every creature"; implying priority and superlative dignity. Ps 89:27, "My Firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth," David's antitype, the Messiah.
See Col 1:16 (proototokos pasees ktiseoos, as Joh 1:15,30; 15:18, prootos mou, "long before Me"), "begotten long before every creature"; the reason why He is so designated follows, "for He is before all things." "First-begotten" marks at once His eternal priority and His condescending to brotherhood with us (Ro 8:29). "Only begotten" marks His relation to the Father by generation from everlasting. Since He is "long before every creature," He cannot be a creature Himself but the Creator. And as He is the first begotten, originating the natural creation, so He is "the firstborn (proototokos, 'first begotten,' Re 1:5) from ("out of", ek) the dead," and therefore "the Beginning" (Col 1:18) of "the church of the firstborn" (Heb 12:23), the originating Agent of the new creation.
He was "begotten" of the Father to a new life at His resurrection (the day when the Father fulfilled Ps 2:7 according to Ac 13:33; Ro 1:4) which is His "regeneration"; so He is "the Prince-leader (archeegos) of life." "Regeneration," begun in the soul now, will extend to the body at the resurrection of the saints; and to nature, now groaning under the curse (Mt 19:28; Lu 20:36; 1Jo 3:2; Ro 8:11,19,23). As He is "the firstborn" in relation to the election church, so it is "the church of the firstborn," "a kind of first-fruits of His creatures" (Jas 1:18), in relation to the millennial church, and to the hereafter to be regenerated natural creation. As Christ is "the firstfruits," earnest and pledge of the coming resurrection, so believers are "a kind of first-fruits," a pledge and earnest of the ultimate regeneration of creation.
As He is first begotten by generation from everlasting, so believers by adoptions, "begotten again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible," etc. (1Pe 1:3.) As Israel, on the ground of being God's "firstborn," was a king-priestly nation, so believers (Re 1:6). The figurative phrase, "the firstborn of death," means the deadliest disease that death (personified) ever gendered (Job 18:13). "The firstborn of the poor," the poorest.
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And the LORD said unto her, "There are two manner of people in thy womb, and two nations shall spring out of thy bowels, and the one nation shall be mightier than the other and the eldest shall be servant unto the younger." And when her time was come to be delivered, behold, there were two twins in her womb. read more. And he that came out first was red and rough over all, as it were a hide: and they called his name Esau. And afterward his brother came out, and his hand holding Esau by the heel. Wherefore his name was called Jacob. And Isaac was forty years old when she bare them: and the boys grew, and Esau became a cunning hunter and a tillman. But Jacob was a simple man and dwelled in the tents. Isaac loved Esau because he did eat of his venison, but Rebekah loved Jacob. Jacob sod pottage, and Esau came from the field and was fainty, and said to Jacob, "Let me sip of that red pottage, for I am fainty." And therefore was his name called Edom. And Jacob said, "Sell me this day thy birthright." And Esau answered, "Lo, I am at the point to die, and what profit shall this birthright do me?" And Jacob said, "Swear to me then this day." And he swore to him and sold his birthright unto Jacob.
"Reuben, thou art mine eldest son, my might and the beginning of my strength, chief in receiving and chief in power.
And tell Pharaoh, 'Thus sayeth the LORD: Israel is mine eldest son, and therefore sayeth unto thee: let my son go, that he may serve me. If thou wilt not let him go: behold, I will slay thine eldest son.'"
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.
Ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests and a holy people.' These are the words which thou shalt say unto the children of Israel."
"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.
"Take the Levites for all the firstborn of the children of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites for their cattle: and the Levites shall be mine, which am the LORD.
among the firstborn of the children of Israel: and it came to a thousand three hundred and sixty five sicles, of the holy sicle.
All that breaketh the matrix of all flesh that men bring unto the LORD, both of man and beast, shall be thine. Neverthelater, the firstborn of man shall be redeemed, and the firstborn of unclean beasts shall be redeemed.
He shall eat the strength of his own skin; the firstborn of death shall eat his members.
As for me, I will preach the law, whereof the LORD hath said unto me, "Thou art my son, this day have I begotten thee.
And I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth.
Confounded be all they that worship images, and delight in their idols; worship him all ye gods.
But ye shall be named the priests of the LORD, and men shall call you the servants of our God. Ye shall enjoy the goods of the Gentiles and triumph in their substance.
And I shall take out certain of them for to be priests and Levites, sayeth the LORD.
Then shall Jerusalem be called the LORD's seat, and all Heathen shall be gathered unto it, for the name of the LORD's sake, which shall be set up at Jerusalem. And from that time forth, they shall follow no more the imagination of their own froward heart.
Every one that remaineth then of all the people, which came against Jerusalem, shall go up yearly, to worship the King, even the LORD of Hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.
Jesus said unto them, "Verily I say to you, When the son of man shall sit in the seat of his majesty, ye which follow me in the second generation shall sit also upon twelve seats, and judge the twelve tribes of Israel.
neither are married, nor yet can die any more. For they are equal unto the angels: and are the sons of God, inasmuch as they are the children of the resurrection.
John bare witness of him and cried, saying, "This was he of whom I spake, which though he came after me, went before me: for he was before me."
This is he of whom I said, 'After me cometh a man, which went before me. For he was before me,
"If the world hate you, ye know that he hated me before he hated you.
God hath now fulfilled unto us their children, in that he raised up Jesus again, even as it is written in the second psalm, 'Thou art my son, this same day begat I thee.'
and declared to be the son of God with power of the holy ghost, that sanctifieth, since the time that Jesus Christ our Lord rose again from death:
Wherefore, if the spirit of him that raised up Jesus from death, dwell in you: even he that raised up Christ from death, shall quicken your mortal bodies, because that this spirit dwelleth in you.
Also, the fervent desire of the creatures abideth looking when the sons of God shall appear;
Not they only, but even we also: which have the first fruits of the spirit mourn in ourselves and wait for the adoption and look for the deliverance of our bodies.
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.
for by him were all things created, things that are in heaven, and things that are in earth: things visible, and things invisible: whether they be majesty or lordship, either rule or power.
for by him were all things created, things that are in heaven, and things that are in earth: things visible, and things invisible: whether they be majesty or lordship, either rule or power.
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 again when he bringeth in the first begotten son into the world, he saith, "And all the angels of God shall worship him."
saying, "I will declare thy name unto my brethren, and in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee."
and that there be no fornicator, or unclean person, as Esau, which for one breakfast sold his birthright.
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.
Blessed be God, the father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which through his abundant mercy begat us again unto a lively hope, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from death,
and from Jesus Christ which is a faithful witness, and first begotten of the dead: and Lord over the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and made us kings and priests unto God his father, be glory, and dominion for evermore amen.
And the seventh angel blew, and there were made great voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdoms of this world are our Lord's and his Christ's, and he shall reign for evermore."
Hastings
1. The dedication of the firstborn of men and beasts was probably a primitive nomadic custom, and therefore earlier than the offering of first-fruits, which could not arise until the Israelites had settled into agricultural life in Canaan. The origin of the belief that a peculiar value attached to the firstborn cannot be definitely traced; but it would be a natural inference that what was valuable to the parent would be valuable to his God. And thus the word 'firstborn' could be used figuratively of Israel as the firstborn of Jahweh among the nations (Ex 4:22, cf. Jer 31:9), and the seed of David among dynasties (Ps 89:28). The law of the dedication of the firstborn is found in Jewish Encyclopedia (Ex 13:11-16; 22:29 b, Ex 22:30; 34:19 f.), Deuteronomist (De 15:19-23), Priestly Narrative (Ex 13:1 f., Nu 3:11-13,40-51; 18:15-18). It is not impossible that in very primitive times firstborn sons were sometimes actually sacrificed (cf. 2Ki 3:27; Mic 6:7), but the practice would soon grow up of 'redeeming' them by money or payments in kind.
2. The firstborn (bekh
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Then she said unto Abraham, "Put away this bondmaid and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son Isaac."
And the LORD said unto her, "There are two manner of people in thy womb, and two nations shall spring out of thy bowels, and the one nation shall be mightier than the other and the eldest shall be servant unto the younger."
Jacob sod pottage, and Esau came from the field and was fainty, and said to Jacob, "Let me sip of that red pottage, for I am fainty." And therefore was his name called Edom. read more. And Jacob said, "Sell me this day thy birthright." And Esau answered, "Lo, I am at the point to die, and what profit shall this birthright do me?" And Jacob said, "Swear to me then this day." And he swore to him and sold his birthright unto Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of red rice. And he ate and drank and rose up and went his way. And so Esau regarded not his birthright.
Then took Joseph them both: Ephraim in his righthand, toward Israel's lefthand, and Manasseh in his lefthand, toward Israel's righthand, and brought them unto him. And Israel stretched out his righthand and laid it upon Ephraim's head which was the younger, and his lefthand upon Manasseh's head, crossing his hands; for Manasseh was the elder. read more. And he blessed Joseph saying, "God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, and the God which hath fed me all my life long unto this day; And the angel which hath delivered me from all evil, bless these lads: that they may be called after my name, and after my father Abraham and Isaac, and that they may grow and multiply upon the earth." When Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand upon the head of Ephraim, it displeased him. And he lift up his father's hand, to have removed it from Ephraim's head unto Manasseh's head, and said unto his father, "Not so my father, for this is the eldest. Put thy righthand upon his head." And his father would not, but said, "I know it well my son, I know it well. He shall be also a people and shall be great. But of a truth his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall be full of people." And he blessed them, saying, "At the example of these, the Israelites shall bless and say, 'God make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh.'" Thus set he Ephraim before Manasseh.
"Reuben, thou art mine eldest son, my might and the beginning of my strength, chief in receiving and chief in power.
And tell Pharaoh, 'Thus sayeth the LORD: Israel is mine eldest son,
And tell Pharaoh, 'Thus sayeth the LORD: Israel is mine eldest son,
And Moses answered, "Thou must give us also offerings and burnt offerings for to sacrifice unto the LORD our God.
And Moses said, "Thus sayeth the LORD, 'About midnight will I go out among the Egyptians, and all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die: even from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sitteth on his seat, unto the firstborn of the maidservant that is in the mill, and all the firstborn of the cattle. read more. And there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt: so that there was never none like, nor shall be. And among all the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue, nor yet man or beast: that ye may know, how the LORD putteth a difference between the Egyptians and Israel.' And all these thy servants shall come down unto me, and fall before me and say, 'Get thee out and all the people that are under thee!' And then will I depart." And he went out from Pharaoh in a great anger.
"For I will go about in the land of Egypt this same night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both of man and beast, and upon all the gods of Egypt will I the LORD do execution.
For the LORD will go about and smite Egypt. And when he seeth the blood upon the upper door post and on the two side posts, he will pass over the door and will not suffer the destroyer to come into your house to plague you.
Ye shall say, 'It is the sacrifice of the LORD's Passover, which passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, as he smote the Egyptians and saved our houses.'" Then the people bowed themselves and worshipped.
And at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt: from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his seat, unto the firstborn of the captive that was in prison, and all firstborn of the cattle.
And the people took the dough before it was soured which they had in store, and bound it in cloths, and put it upon their shoulders.
Therefore thou shalt eat sweet bread seven days, and see that there be no leavened bread seen nor yet leaven among you in all your quarters.
"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,
"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.
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. 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 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. read more. 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: likewise shalt thou do of thine oxen and of thy sheep. Seven days it shall be with the dam, and the eighth day thou shalt give it me.
All that breaketh up the matrix shall be mine, and all that breaketh the matrix among thy cattle, if it be male: whether it be ox or sheep.
that your children after you may know how that I made the children of Israel dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: for I am the LORD your God.'"
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, "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. read more. 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 the LORD said unto Moses, "Number all the firstborn that are males among the children of Israel, from a month old and above, and take the number of their names. And thou shalt appoint the Levites to me, the LORD, for all the firstborn among the children of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites for the firstborn of the children of Israel." read more. And Moses numbered, as the LORD commanded him, all the firstborn of the children of Israel. And all the firstborn males, in the sum of names, from a month old and above, were numbered twenty two thousand two hundred and seventy three. And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, "Take the Levites for all the firstborn of the children of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites for their cattle: and the Levites shall be mine, which am the LORD. And for the redeeming of the two hundred and seventy three which are more than the Levites in the firstborn of the children of Israel, take five sicles of every piece, after the sicles of the holy place; twenty geras; the sicles. And give the money, wherewith the odd number of them is redeemed, unto Aaron and his sons." And Moses took the redemption money of the overplus that were more than the Levites, among the firstborn of the children of Israel: and it came to a thousand three hundred and sixty five sicles, of the holy sicle. And he gave that redemption money unto Aaron and his sons at the word of the LORD, even as the LORD commanded Moses.
All that breaketh the matrix of all flesh that men bring unto the LORD, both of man and beast, shall be thine. Neverthelater, the firstborn of man shall be redeemed, and the firstborn of unclean beasts shall be redeemed. And their redemptions shall be at a month old, valued at five sicles of silver, of the holy sicle." A sicle maketh twenty Geras. read more. "But the firstborn of oxen, sheep and goats shall not be redeemed. For they are holy, and thou shalt sprinkle their blood upon the altar, and shalt burn their fat to be a sacrifice of a sweet savour unto the LORD. And the flesh of them shall be thine, as the wavebreast and all the right shoulder is thine.
All the firstborn that come of thine oxen and of thy sheep that are males, thou shalt hallow unto the LORD thy God. Thou shalt do no service with the firstborn of thy sheep:
All the firstborn that come of thine oxen and of thy sheep that are males, thou shalt hallow unto the LORD thy God. Thou shalt do no service with the firstborn of thy sheep: but shalt eat them before the LORD thy God year by year in the place which the LORD hath chosen, both thou and thine household. read more. If there be any deformity therein, whether it be lame or blind or whatsoever evil favouredness it hath, thou shalt not offer it unto the LORD thy God: But shalt eat it in thine own city, the unclean and the clean indifferently, as the roe and the hart. Only eat not the blood thereof, but pour it upon the ground as water.
Observe the month of Abib, and offer Passover unto the LORD thy God. For in the month of Abib, the LORD thy God brought thee out of Egypt by night: Thou shalt therefore offer Passover unto the LORD thy God, and sheep and oxen in the place which the LORD shall choose to make his name dwell there. read more. Thou shalt eat no leavened bread therewith: but shalt eat therewith the bread of tribulation seven days long. For thou camest out of the land of Egypt in haste, that thou mayest remember the day when thou camest out of the land of Egypt, all days of thy life. And see that there be no leavened bread seen in all thy coasts seven days long, and that there remain nothing of the flesh which thou hast offered the first day at evening, until the morning. Thou mayest not offer Passover in any of thy cities which the LORD thy God giveth thee: But in the place which the LORD thy God shall choose to make his name dwell in, there thou shalt offer Passover at evening about the going down of the sun, even in the season that thou camest out of Egypt. And thou shalt seethe and eat it in the place which the LORD thy God hath chosen, and depart on the morrow and get thee unto thy tent. Six days thou shalt eat sweet bread, and the seventh day is for the people to come together to the LORD thy God, that thou mayest do no work.
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.
When brethren dwell together and one of them die and have no child, the wife of the dead shall not be given out unto a stranger: but her brother-in-law shall go in unto her and take her to wife and marry her. And the eldest son which she beareth, shall stand up in the name of his brother which is dead, that his name be not put out in Israel. read more. But and if the man will not take his sister-in-law, then let her go to the gate unto the elders and say, 'My brother-in-law refuseth to stir up unto his brother a name in Israel, he will not marry me.' Then let the elders of his city call unto him and commune with him. If he stand and say, 'I will not take her,' then let his sister-in-law go unto him in the presence of the elders and loose his shoe off his foot and spit in his face and answer and say, 'So shall it be done unto that man that will not build his brother's house.' And his name shall be called in Israel, the unshoed house.
And then he took his eldest son, that should have reigned in his stead, and offered him for a burnt offering upon the walls. And there came so great wrath upon Israel, that they departed from him and returned to their own land.
The sons of Reuben, the eldest son of Israel: for he was the eldest. But because he defied his father's bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph, the son of Israel, and so he is not reckoned unto the birthright.
And Hosah of the children of Merari, had sons: Shimri the chief, yet he was not the eldest, but his father made him the chiefest.
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.
When he smote all the firstborn in Egypt, the most principal and mightiest in the dwellings of Ham.
My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him.
He smote all the firstborn in their land, even the chief of all their strength.
He smote the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and of beast.
Which smote Egypt with their firstborn! For his mercy endureth forever.
They departed from hence in heaviness, but with joy will I bring them hither again. I will lead them by the rivers of water in a straight way, where they shall not stumble: For I will be Israel's father, and Ephraim shall be my firstborn.
Hath the LORD a pleasure in many thousand rams, or innumerable streams of oil? Or shall I give my firstborn for mine offenses, and the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?"
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.
which is the image of the invisible God, first begotten of all creatures:
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 again when he bringeth in the first begotten son into the world, he saith, "And all the angels of God shall worship him."
Through faith he ordained the Easter lamb, and the effusion of blood, lest he that destroyed the first born should touch them.
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 from Jesus Christ which is a faithful witness, and first begotten of the dead: and Lord over the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
Smith
First-born.
Under the law, in memory of the exodus (when the first-born of the Egyptians were slain), the eldest son was regarded as devoted to God, and was in very case to be redeemed by an offering not exceeding five shekels, within one month from birth. If he died before the expiration of thirty days, the Jewish doctors held the father excused, but liable to the payment if he outlived that time.
The eldest son received a double portion of the father's inheritance,
De 21:17
but not of the mother's. Under the monarchy the eldest son usually, but no always, as appears in the case of Solomon, succeeded his father in the kingdom.
The male first-born of animals was also devoted to God.
Ex 13:2,12-13; 22:29; 34:19-20
Unclean animals were to be redeemed with the addition of one-fifth of the value, or else put to death; or, if not redeemed, to be sold, and the price given to the priests.
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"Sanctify unto me all the firstborn that open all manner matrices among the children of Israel, as well of men as of beasts: for they are mine."
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.
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. 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 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. read more. 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:
All that breaketh up the matrix shall be mine, and all that breaketh the matrix among thy cattle, if it be male: whether it be ox or sheep. But the first of the ass thou shalt buy out with a sheep, or if thou redeem him not: see thou break his neck. All the firstborn of thy sons thou must needs redeem. And see that no man appear before me empty.
And from a month unto five years, the male shall be set at five sicles of silver, and the female at three.
And if he will buy it again, let him give the fifth part more to that it was set at.
If it be an unclean beast, then let him redeem it as it is set at, and give the fifth part more thereto. If it be not redeemed, then let it be sold as it is rated. Notwithstanding, no dedicated thing that a man dedicateth unto the LORD, of all his goods - whether it be man or beast or land of his inheritance - shall be sold or redeemed: for all dedicated things are most holy unto the LORD.
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.
even as I sware unto thee by the LORD God of Israel, saying 'Solomon shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my seat for me,' so will I do this day."
And king Solomon answered and said unto his mother, "Why dost thou ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? But rather ask for him the kingdom, seeing he is mine elder brother! Even for him ask it; and for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah."