Thematic Bible: The First-born
Thematic Bible
the First-born » Privileges of » Could be forfeited by misconduct
the First-born » Objects of special love
the First-born » Of israel » Tribe of levi taken for
the First-born » Illustrative of » The dignity, &c of Christ
For [that class of] persons whom God knew beforehand He also predetermined to become conformed to the [spiritual] likeness of His Son, so that He could be the firstborn One among [His] many brothers [i.e., so He could be the preeminent example to all His followers. See Heb. 2:11].
Verse Concepts
And He is the head of the [spiritual] body, the church. He is [its] source, the firstborn One from the dead [i.e., the first one to return to life, never to die again], so that He could rank first [in importance] over all things.
Verse Concepts
the First-born » Dedicated to commemorate the sparing of the first-born of israel
the First-born » The beginning of strength and excellency of power
the First-born » Instances of superseded » Esau
For even before the twins were born, and therefore had not done anything good or bad, Rebecca was told [Gen. 25:23], "The older one [i.e., Esau] will serve the younger one [i.e., Jacob]." This was so that God's purpose of choosing and calling [whomever He wanted to] might prevail, instead of [it depending on] what a person did. Just as it is written [Mal. 1:2-3], "I [i.e., God] loved Jacob, but hated Esau."
the First-born » Of clean beasts » Not taken from the dam for seven days
the First-born » Privileges of » Authority over the younger children
the First-born » Privileges of » Could be sold
the First-born » Privileges of » Special blessing by the father
the First-born » Of israel » To be redeemed
the First-born » Instances of superseded » Adonijah
the First-born » Of clean beasts » Of the ass to be redeemed with lamb or its neck broken
the First-born » Precious and valuable
the First-born » Of man and beast dedicated to God
the First-born » Privileges of » Not to be alienated by parents through caprice
the First-born » Instances of superseded » Reuben, &c
the First-born » Privileges of » In case of death the next brother to raise up seed to
the First-born » Of clean beasts » Not to labor
the First-born » Of clean beasts » Not shorn
the First-born » Privileges of » The father's title and power
the First-born » Privileges of » A double portion of inheritance
the First-born » Instances of superseded » David's brothers
the First-born » Instances of superseded » Ishmael
the First-born » Instances of superseded » Manasseh
the First-born » Privileges of » Precedence in the family
the First-born » Of clean beasts » Could not be a free-will offering
the First-born » Of israel » Price of, given to the priests
the First-born » Of israel » Price of redemption for
the First-born » Laws respecting, restored after the captivity
the First-born » Instances of superseded » Japheth
the First-born » Instances of superseded » Cain
the First-born » Of clean beasts » Flesh of, the priests' portion
the First-born » Illustrative of » The dignity, &c of the church
and to the church of the firstborn ones [i.e., those who have received an inheritance from their Father], whose names are recorded in heaven. [See Luke 10:20]. [You have come] to God, who is the Judge of all people, and to the spirits of righteous people who have become [morally] perfect [i.e., that great company of God's people who have gone on to their heavenly reward],
Verse Concepts
the First-born » Of clean beasts » Law of redemption for
the First-born » Of clean beasts » Offered in sacrifice
the First-born » Of clean beasts » To be redeemed
the First-born » Instances of superseded » Aaron
the First-born » Laws respecting, observed at Christ's birth
Then when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were completed [Note: This was a set procedure required for a Jewish mother on the birth of a child. See Lev. 12:1-8], Joseph and Mary brought Jesus up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord. (It is recorded in the law of the Lord [Ex. 13:2, 12] that every firstborn male child be considered holy [i.e., specially dedicated] to the Lord.)