Thematic Bible: The First-born


Thematic Bible



"Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength; excelling in dignity, and excelling in power. Boiling over as water, you shall not excel; because you went up to your father's bed, then defiled it. He went up to my couch.

The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel (for he was the firstborn; but, because he defiled his father's couch, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph the son of Israel; and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright. Verse ConceptsConcubinesBirthrightsFirstborn Sons

"Judah, your brothers will praise you. Your hand will be on the neck of your enemies. Your father's sons will bow down before you. Verse ConceptsBowingCommendationSalutationsOvercoming EnemiesShowing Forth His Praiseserenity

They shall come with weeping; and with petitions will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by rivers of waters, in a straight way in which they shall not stumble; for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.'" Verse ConceptsGod, Fatherhood OfAdoption, nature ofFirstbornIntimacyPeople Of God, In OtSpring Of WaterWeepingAnswered PromisesSpiritual AdoptionFirstborn SonsStraight PathsNot StumblingBrookssupplication

Is Ephraim my dear son? Is he a darling child? For as often as I speak against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my heart yearns for him; I will surely have mercy on him," says the LORD. Verse ConceptsGod, Joy OfGod, Compassion OfGod, Suffering OfIntimacyRejection Of God, Results OfBowelsSpiritual AdoptionIsrael As Sons Of GodGod Remembering His PeopleGod Will Show Mercy

Now Isaac loved Esau, because he ate his venison. Rebekah loved Jacob. Verse ConceptsFathers, Examples OfPrejudiceTastePartialityThose Who LovedMan's FavouriteDeergames

"Behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel instead of all the firstborn who open the womb among the children of Israel; and the Levites shall be mine: Verse ConceptsCovenant, God's with Israel's priestsVicarious Substitution

The LORD said to Moses, "Number all the firstborn males of the children of Israel from a month old and upward, and take the number of their names. You shall take the Levites for me (I am the LORD) instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel; and the livestock of the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the livestock of the children of Israel." Moses numbered, as the LORD commanded him, all the firstborn among the children of Israel. read more.
All the firstborn males according to the number of names, from a month old and upward, of those who were numbered of them, were twenty-two thousand two hundred seventy-three.

I have taken the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel. Verse ConceptsSubstitution


I will also appoint him my firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth. Verse ConceptsFirstbornBrothersChrist The Firstborn


and it happened, when Pharaoh would hardly let us go, that the LORD killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man, and the firstborn of animal. Therefore I sacrifice to the LORD all that opens the womb, being males; but all the firstborn of my sons I redeem.' Verse ConceptsStubbornness, Consequences OfDeath Of The FirstbornGod KillingMale AnimalsBoth Men And Animals KilledHindering God's WorkGod Killed The PeoplesRegulating Sacrifices

for all the firstborn are mine. On the day that I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I made holy to me all the firstborn in Israel, both man and animal. They shall be mine. I am the LORD." Verse ConceptsClaimsDeath Of The FirstbornI Am The LordPeople Belong To God

For all the firstborn among the children of Israel are mine, both man and animal. On the day that I struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I sanctified them for myself. Verse ConceptsDeath Of The Firstborn

"Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength; excelling in dignity, and excelling in power. Verse ConceptsFirstborn SonsStrong IndividualsPowerful IndividualsFamily StrengthPowerExcellencemanhoodstrenghdignity

but he shall acknowledge the firstborn, the son of the hated, by giving him a double portion of all that he has; for he is the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn is his. Verse ConceptsHeirsDouble Portions

it was said to her, "The elder will serve the younger." Even as it is written, "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated."

The LORD said to her, Two nations are in your womb. Two peoples will be separated from your body. The one people will be stronger than the other people. The elder will serve the younger. Verse ConceptsBabies In The WombFavouritismJacob, The PatriarchSubjectionTwo GroupsFreshness Of YouthWombServing PeopleStrong NationsOvercoming Adversity

You shall do likewise with your cattle and with your sheep. Seven days it shall be with its mother, then on the eighth day you shall give it to me. Verse ConceptsCowsDay 8Seven DaysYoung AnimalAnimal MothersLess Than A Year OldSeven Days For Legal Purposes

"When a bull, or a sheep, or a goat, is born, then it shall remain seven days with its mother; and from the eighth day and thenceforth it shall be accepted for the offering of an offering made by fire to the LORD. Verse ConceptsSeven DaysYoung AnimalAnimal MothersLess Than A Year OldSeven Days For Legal PurposesRegulating Sacrifices

Let peoples serve you, and nations bow down to you. Be lord over your brothers. Let your mother's sons bow down to you. Cursed be everyone who curses you. Blessed be everyone who blesses you." Verse ConceptsJacob, Life And Character OfServing PeopleSalutationsBlessing Through God's PeopleCursing Israel

He said, 'Please let me go, for our family has a sacrifice in the city. My brother has commanded me to be there. Now, if I have found favor in your eyes, please let me go away and see my brothers.' Therefore he has not come to the king's table." Verse ConceptsBrothersethics, personalTown

Jacob said, "Swear to me first." He swore to him. He sold his birthright to Jacob. Verse ConceptsOaths, HumanYielding To Temptation

Jacob said, "First, sell me your birthright." Verse ConceptsBirthrights

He said, "Your brother came with deceit, and has taken away your blessing." Verse ConceptsInjustice, Examples OfPeople BlessingThose Who Deceived

Make me savory food, such as I love, and bring it to me, that I may eat, and that my soul may bless you before I die." Verse ConceptsTasteRequesting FoodSavourinessBefore DeathLoving Other ThingsPeople Blessing

The firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb: and if you will not redeem it, then you shall break its neck. All the firstborn of your sons you shall redeem. No one shall appear before me empty. Verse ConceptsDonkeysLambsRansomRedemption, In Everyday LifeDislocatingEmpty HandedRules About Killing Animals

Everything that opens the womb, of all flesh which they offer to the LORD, both of man and animal shall be yours: nevertheless you shall surely redeem the firstborn of man, and you shall redeem the firstborn of unclean animals. Verse ConceptsFirstbornAnimals, religious role ofWomb

He said, "You know that the kingdom was mine, and that all Israel set their faces on me, that I should reign. However the kingdom is turned around, and has become my brother's; for it was his from the LORD.

King Solomon answered his mother, "Why do you ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Ask for him the kingdom also; for he is my elder brother; even for him, and for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah." Verse ConceptsBrothersThe Kingdom Of Others

Every firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb; and if you will not redeem it, then you shall break its neck; and you shall redeem all the firstborn of man among your sons. Verse ConceptsRedemption, In Everyday LifeDislocatingRules About Killing Animalsredeemed

The firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb: and if you will not redeem it, then you shall break its neck. All the firstborn of your sons you shall redeem. No one shall appear before me empty. Verse ConceptsDonkeysLambsRansomRedemption, In Everyday LifeDislocatingEmpty HandedRules About Killing Animals


Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams? With tens of thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my disobedience? The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? Verse ConceptsFirstbornBodyRamsA Thousand AnimalsSacrificing The Firstborn

"You shall not delay to offer from your harvest and from the outflow of your presses. "You shall give the firstborn of your sons to me. Verse ConceptsFirstbornChild sacrificeTypes Of ChristProcrastinationFirst fruitsTithes And Offering


If a man have two wives, the one beloved, and the other hated, and they have borne him children, both the beloved and the hated; and if the firstborn son be hers who was hated; then it shall be, in the day that he causes his sons to inherit that which he has, that he may not make the son of the beloved the firstborn before the son of the hated, who is the firstborn:

The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel (for he was the firstborn; but, because he defiled his father's couch, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph the son of Israel; and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright. For Judah prevailed above his brothers, and of him came the prince; but the birthright was Joseph's:)

If brothers dwell together, and one of them die, and have no son, the wife of the dead shall not be married outside to a stranger: her husband's brother shall go in to her, and take her to him as wife, and perform the duty of a husband's brother to her. It shall be, that the firstborn whom she bears shall succeed in the name of his brother who is dead, that his name not be blotted out of Israel.

All the firstborn males that are born of your herd and of your flock you shall sanctify to the LORD your God: you shall do no work with the firstborn of your herd, nor shear the firstborn of your flock. Verse ConceptsFirstbornBullsSheep Shearing

All the firstborn males that are born of your herd and of your flock you shall sanctify to the LORD your God: you shall do no work with the firstborn of your herd, nor shear the firstborn of your flock. Verse ConceptsFirstbornBullsSheep Shearing

Their father gave them great gifts, of silver, and of gold, and of precious things, with fortified cities in Judah: but the kingdom gave he to Jehoram, because he was the firstborn. Verse ConceptsFirstbornGoldInheritance, MaterialBirthrights

but he shall acknowledge the firstborn, the son of the hated, by giving him a double portion of all that he has; for he is the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn is his. Verse ConceptsHeirsDouble Portions

It happened, when they had come, that he looked at Eliab, and said, "Surely the LORD's anointed is before him." But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look on his face, or on the height of his stature; because I have rejected him. For man does not see as God sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. He said, "Neither has the LORD chosen this one." read more.
Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. He said, "Neither has the LORD chosen this one." And Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, "The LORD has not chosen these." Samuel said to Jesse, "Are all your children here?" He said, "There remains yet the youngest, and behold, he is keeping the sheep." Samuel said to Jesse, "Send and get him; for we will not sit down until he comes here." And he sent and brought him in. And he was ruddy and had beautiful eyes and was handsome. And the LORD said, "Arise, anoint him, for he is the one."

God said, "No, but Sarah, your wife, will bear you a son. You shall call his name Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant for his seed after him. As for Ishmael, I have heard you. Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly. He will become the father of twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation. But my covenant I establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this set time next year."

He blessed Joseph, and said, "The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God who has fed me all my life long to this day, the angel who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads, and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac. Let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth." When Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand on the head of Ephraim, it displeased him. He held up his father's hand, to remove it from Ephraim's head to Manasseh's head. read more.
Joseph said to his father, "Not so, my father; for this is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head." His father refused, and said, "I know, my son, I know. He also will become a people, and he also will be great. However, his younger brother will be greater than he, and his seed will become a multitude of nations." He blessed them that day, saying, "In you will Israel bless, saying, 'God make you as Ephraim and as Manasseh'" He set Ephraim before Manasseh.

Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel's left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel's right hand, and brought them near to him. Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it on Ephraim's head, who was the younger, and his left hand on Manasseh's head, guiding his hands knowingly, for Manasseh was the firstborn.

"'Only the firstborn among animals, which is made a firstborn to the LORD, no man may dedicate it; whether an ox or sheep, it is the LORD's. Verse ConceptsClaimsAll Things Belong To God

and you shall give the money, with which the remainder of them is redeemed, to Aaron and to his sons." Moses took the redemption money from those who exceeded the number of those who were redeemed by the Levites; from the firstborn of the children of Israel he took the money, one thousand three hundred sixty-five shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary: read more.
and Moses gave the redemption money to Aaron and to his sons, according to the word of the LORD, as the LORD commanded Moses.

For the redemption of the two hundred seventy-three of the firstborn of the children of Israel, who exceed the number of the Levites, you shall take five shekels apiece for each one; after the shekel of the sanctuary you shall take them (the shekel is twenty gerahs):

also the firstborn of our sons, and of our livestock, as it is written in the law, and the firstborn of our herds and of our flocks, to bring to the house of our God, to the priests who minister in the house of our God; Verse ConceptsFirstbornClaims

To Shem, the father of all the children of Eber, the elder brother of Japheth, to him also were children born. Verse ConceptsAncestors

Abel also brought some of the firstborn of his flock and of its fat. The LORD respected Abel and his offering, but he did not respect Cain and his offering. Cain was very angry, and the expression on his face fell.

Their flesh shall be yours, as the wave offering breast and as the right thigh, it shall be yours. Verse ConceptsBodies Of AnimalsAnimal Sacrifices, Wave OfferingSwingingThighs Of AnimalsFood For Priests DefinedOther Right Parts


You shall redeem those who are to be redeemed of them from a month old, according to your estimation, for five shekels of money, after the shekel of the sanctuary, which is twenty gerahs. Verse ConceptsCoinageLess Than A Year OldValuation Of PeopleRight Measuresredeemed

"But you shall not redeem the firstborn of a cow, or the firstborn of a sheep, or the firstborn of a goat. They are holy. You shall sprinkle their blood on the altar, and shall burn their fat for an offering made by fire, for a pleasant aroma to the LORD. Verse ConceptsFatnessAromasSmellsSprinklingFat Of The SacrificesRefreshing God

Everything that opens the womb, of all flesh which they offer to the LORD, both of man and animal shall be yours: nevertheless you shall surely redeem the firstborn of man, and you shall redeem the firstborn of unclean animals. Verse ConceptsFirstbornAnimals, religious role ofWomb

The LORD said to Moses, "Behold, I have made you as God to Pharaoh; and Aaron your brother shall be your prophet. You shall speak all that I command you; and Aaron your brother shall speak to Pharaoh, that he let the children of Israel go out of his land.

When the days of their purification according to the Law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord"),