Topical Bible: Firstborn

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Topical Encyclopedia

The term "firstborn" holds significant theological and cultural importance throughout the Bible, appearing in various contexts that highlight its multifaceted role in biblical narratives and doctrines. The concept of the firstborn is deeply rooted in the ancient Near Eastern culture and is pivotal in understanding biblical themes of inheritance, authority, and redemption.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the firstborn son traditionally held a place of prominence within the family structure. He was often the primary heir, receiving a double portion of the inheritance (Deuteronomy 21:17). This status underscored the firstborn's role as the future leader of the family and the one responsible for carrying on the family name and legacy.

The firstborn also had religious significance. In Exodus 13:2, God commands, "Consecrate to Me every firstborn male. The firstborn from every womb among the Israelites belongs to Me, both of man and beast." This consecration was a reminder of God's deliverance of Israel from Egypt, where the firstborn of the Egyptians were struck down during the final plague (Exodus 12:29). The Israelites were instructed to redeem their firstborn sons and animals, symbolizing their dedication to God and His saving power.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of the firstborn is expanded and deepened, particularly in relation to Jesus Christ. Colossians 1:15 refers to Jesus as "the firstborn over all creation," emphasizing His preeminence and authority over all things. This title does not imply that Jesus was a created being but rather affirms His eternal existence and supreme position in the universe.

Furthermore, Jesus is described as "the firstborn from the dead" (Colossians 1:18), highlighting His resurrection as the first instance of a new kind of life that believers will also experience. This designation underscores the hope of resurrection and eternal life for all who are in Christ.

Theological Significance

Theologically, the firstborn is a type and foreshadowing of Christ. Just as the firstborn in Israel were set apart for God, Jesus, the ultimate Firstborn, is consecrated as the Redeemer and Savior. Hebrews 12:23 speaks of "the assembly of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven," indicating that believers, through their union with Christ, share in His inheritance and status.

The firstborn motif also illustrates the principle of substitutionary atonement. In the Passover event, the blood of the lamb spared the firstborn of Israel, pointing to Christ's sacrificial death as the Lamb of God, whose blood redeems and protects believers from spiritual death.

Cultural and Historical Aspects

In ancient Israelite society, the firstborn's role extended beyond the family to the community and nation. The firstborn of the king, for instance, was the heir apparent, ensuring dynastic continuity. This cultural backdrop enriches the biblical narrative, where the rights and responsibilities of the firstborn are both honored and, at times, subverted, as seen in the accounts of Isaac and Ishmael, Jacob and Esau, and Joseph and his brothers.

The concept of the firstborn is thus integral to understanding the biblical portrayal of God's covenantal relationships, His redemptive plan, and the ultimate fulfillment of these themes in Jesus Christ.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Firstborn

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. (Exodus 13:12-15,16; Leviticus 27:6) The eldest son received a double portion of the father's inheritance, (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. (1 Kings 1:30; 2:22) The male first-born of animals was also devoted to God. (Exodus 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. (Leviticus 27:13,27,28)

ATS Bible Dictionary

Firstborn

This phrase is not always to be understood literally; it is sometimes taken for the prime, most excellent, most distinguished of things, Psalm 89:27 Romans 8:29 Hebrews 1:4-6. Thus Jesus Christ is "the firstborn of every creature," Colossians 1:15, inasmuch as he was the "Only begotten" of the Father before any creature was produced. He is "the firstborn from the dead," Colossians 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, Exodus 13:2,11, etc. The firstborn son among the Hebrews, as among all other nations, enjoyed particular privileges. See BIRTHRIGHT.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Sons enjoyed certain special privileges (Deuteronomy 21:17; Genesis 25:23, 31, 34; 49:3; 1 Chronicles 5:1; Hebrews 12:16; Psalm 89:27). (see BIRTHRIGHT.)

The "first-born of the poor" signifies the most miserable of the poor (Isaiah 14:30). The "church of the first-born" signifies the church of the redeemed.

The destruction of the first-born was the last of the ten plagues inflicted on the Egyptians (Exodus 11:1-8; 12:29, 30).

Menephtah is probably the Pharaoh whose first-born was slain. His son did not succeed or survive his father, but died early. The son's tomb has been found at Thebes unfinished, showing it was needed earlier than was expected. Some of the records on the tomb are as follows: "The son whom Menephtah loves; who draws towards him his father's heart, the singer, the prince of archers, who governed Egypt on behalf of his father. Dead."

First-born, Redemption of

From the beginning the office of the priesthood in each family belonged to the eldest son. But when the extensive plan of sacrificial worship was introduced, requiring a company of men to be exclusively devoted to this ministry, the primitive office of the first-born was superseded by that of the Levites (Numbers 3:11-13), and it was ordained that the first-born of man and of unclean animals should henceforth be redeemed (18:15).

The laws concerning this redemption of the first-born of man are recorded in Exodus 13:12-15; 22:29; 34:20; Numbers 3:45; 8:17; 18:16; Leviticus 12:2, 4.

The first-born male of every clean animal was to be given up to the priest for sacrifice (Deuteronomy 12:6; Exodus 13:12; 34:20; Numbers 18:15-17).

But the first-born of unclean animals was either to be redeemed or sold and the price given to the priest (Leviticus 27:11-13, 27). The first-born of an ass, if not redeemed, was to be put to death (Exodus 13:13; 34:20).

First-born, Sanctification of the

A peculiar sanctity was attached to the first-born both of man and of cattle. God claimed that the first-born males of man and of animals should be consecrated to him, the one as a priest (Exodus 19:22, 24), representing the family to which he belonged, and the other to be offered up in sacrifice (Genesis 4:4).

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

(a.) First brought forth; first in the order of nativity; eldest; hence, most excellent; most distinguished or exalted.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

FIRSTBORN; FIRSTLING

furst'-born, furst'-ling (bekhor; prototokos):

The Hebrew word denotes the firstborn of human beings as well as of animals (Exodus 11:5), while a word from the same root denotes first-fruits (Exodus 23:16). All the data point to the conclusion that among the ancestors of the Hebrews the sacrifice of the firstborn was practiced, just as the firstlings of the flocks and the first-fruits of the produce of the earth were devoted to the deity. The narrative of the Moabite war records the sacrifice of the heir to the throne by Mesha, to Chemosh, the national god (2 Kings 3:27). The barbarous custom must have become extinct at an early period in the religion of Israel (Genesis 22:12). It was probably due to the influence of surrounding nations that the cruel practice was revived toward the close of the monarchical period (2 Kings 16:3; 2 Kings 17:17; 2 Kings 21:6 Jeremiah 7:31 Ezekiel 16:20; Ezekiel 23:37 Micah 6:7). Jeremiah denies that the offering of human beings could have been an instruction from Yahweh (7:31; 19:5).

The prophetic conception of God had rendered such a doctrine inconceivable. Clear evidence of the spiritualization and humanizati0n of religion among the Israelites is furnished in the replacement, at an early stage, of the actual sacrifice of the firstborn by their dedication to the service of Yahweh. At a later stage the Levites were substituted for the firstborn. Just as the firstlings of unclean animals were redeemed with money (Exodus 13:13; Exodus 34:20), for the dedication of the firstborn was substituted the consecration of the Levites to the service of the sanctuary (Numbers 3:11-13, 15). On the 30th day after birth the firstborn was brought to the priest by the father, who paid five shekels for the child's redemption from service in the temple (compare Luke 2:27; Mishna Bekhoroth viii.8). For that service the Levites were accepted in place of the redeemed firstborn (Numbers 3:45). See note. According to Exodus 22:29-31 the firstborn were to be given to Yahweh. (The firstborn of clean animals, if free from spot or blemish, were to be sacrificed after eight days, Numbers 18:16.) This allusion to the sacrifice of the firstborn as part of the religion of Yahweh has been variously explained. Some scholars suspect the text, but in all probability the verse means no more than similar references to the fact that the firstborn belonged to Yahweh (Exodus 13:2; Exodus 34:19). The modifying clause, with regard to the redemption of the firstborn, has been omitted. The firstborn possessed definite privileges which were denied to other members of the family. The Law forbade the disinheriting of the firstborn (Deuteronomy 21:15-17). Such legislation, in polygamous times, was necessary to prevent a favorite wife from exercising undue influence over her husband in distributing his property, as in the case of Jacob (Genesis 25:23). The oldest son's share was twice as large as that of any other son. When Elisha prayed for a double portion of Elijah's spirit, he simply wished to be considered the firstborn, i.e. the successor, of the dying prophet. Israel was Yahweh's firstborn (Exodus 4:22 privileges. She occupied a unique position in virtue of the special relationship between Yahweh and the nation. In three passages (Romans 8:29 Colossians 1:15 Hebrews 1:6), Jesus Christ is the firstborn-among many brethren (Romans 8:29); of every creature (Colossians 1:16). This application of the term to Jesus Christ may be traced back to Psalm 89:27 where the Davidic ruler, or perhaps the nation, is alluded to as the firstborn of Yahweh.

See CHILD; CIRCUMCISION; FIRST-BEGOTTEN; PLAGUES OF EGYPT.

NOTE-The custom of redeeming the firstborn son is preserved among the Jews to this day. After thirty days the father invites the "Kohen," i.e. a supposed descendant of Aaron, to the house. The child is brought and shown to the "Kohen," and the father declares the mother of the child to be an Israelite. If she is a "Kohen," redemption is not necessary. The "Kohen" asks the father which he prefers, his child or the five shekels; the father answers that he prefers his son, and pays to the "Kohen" a sum equivalent to five shekels. After receiving the redemption-money, the "Kohen" puts his hands on the child's head and pronounces the Aaronite blessing (Numbers 6:22-27).

T. Lewis

Greek

4416a. prototokos -- first-born
... 4416, 4416a. prototokos. 4416b . first-born. Transliteration: prototokos
Short Definition: firstborn. Word Origin from protos and ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4416a.htm - 5k

4416. prototokos -- first-born
... firstborn From protos and the alternate of tikto; first-born (usually as noun,
literally or figuratively) -- firstbegotten(-born). see GREEK protos. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4416.htm - 7k

Strong's Hebrew

1060. bekor -- first-born
... 1059, 1060. bekor. 1061 . first-born. Transliteration: bekor Phonetic Spelling:
(bek-ore') Short Definition: firstborn. ... eldest son, firstborn. ...
/hebrew/1060.htm - 6k

1069. bakar -- to bear new fruit, to constitute as first-born
... to bear new fruit, to constitute as first-born. Transliteration: bakar Phonetic
Spelling: (baw-kar') Short Definition: firstborn. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/1069.htm - 6k

1067. bekirah -- first-born (always of women)
... 1066, 1067. bekirah. 1068 . first-born (always of women). Transliteration:
bekirah Phonetic Spelling: (bek-ee-raw') Short Definition: firstborn. ... firstborn. ...
/hebrew/1067.htm - 6k

1062. bekorah -- the right of first- born
... Word Origin fem. of bakar Definition the right of first- born NASB Word
Usage birthright (9), firstborn (1). birthright, firstborn. ...
/hebrew/1062.htm - 6k

1121. ben -- son
... one born, bough, branch, breed, + (young) bullock, + (young) calf, X came up in,
child, colt, X common, X corn, daughter, X of first, + firstborn, foal, + very ...
/hebrew/1121.htm - 8k

Library

The Firstborn.
... The Firstborn. "THE Firstborn" or "The Firstbegotten" is one of the names of our
blessed Lord. It is applied to Him after His resurrection from the dead. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gaebelein/the lord of glory/the firstborn.htm

August the Eighteenth the Church of the Firstborn
... AUGUST The Eighteenth THE CHURCH OF THE FIRSTBORN. "Pray for the peace of
Jerusalem." "Psalm 122.p> And my Jerusalem is "the church ...
/.../my daily meditation for the circling year/august the eighteenth the church.htm

Circumcision, Temple Service, and Naming of Jesus.
... they came in daily contact with her], they brought him up to Jerusalem [to the temple],
to present him to the Lord [When God slew the firstborn of Egypt he ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xii circumcision temple service and.htm

Conformed to the Image of Christ
... "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image
of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren." ...
/.../smith/the god of all comfort/chapter 16 conformed to the.htm

Under the Three Pastors, --There were Manifold Shepherds
... and lo! pangs of travail smite it:"it has conceived these among the
last,"and they strive to become the firstborn. 12. The babes ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn xiv under the three.htm

Glory to all of Thee from all of Us!
... 4. Glory to Him Who became lowly, though lofty He was by His nature!"He became in
His love the firstborn of Mary, Firstborn though He be of Godhead."He ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn xvi glory to all.htm

Objection that Some were Baptized unto Moses and Believed in Him ...
... For the firstborn of the Israelites were preserved, like the bodies of the baptized,
by the giving of grace to them that were marked with blood. ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/chapter xiv objection that some.htm

Blessed be He who Became Beyond Measure Low, that He Might Make us ...
... might make us beyond measure great) 1. Of the Birth of the Firstborn,
let us tell on His Feast-day. [505] "He gives on His day ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn xiv blessed be he.htm

Blessed be Thy Birth that Gladdens all Creatures!
... help:"as the first day of "the beginning,""the great pillar of all creatures,"bears
the building of Creation;"so the year of the Firstborn bears help ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn xix blessed be thy.htm

The Purification of the virgin and the Presentation in the Temple
... The firstborn son of every household was, according to the Law, to be redeemed'
of the priest at the price of five shekels of the Sanctuary. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vii the purification of.htm

Thesaurus

Firstborn (119 Occurrences)
... excellent; most distinguished or exalted. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
FIRSTBORN; FIRSTLING. furst'-born, furst'-ling (bekhor ...
/f/firstborn.htm - 46k

First-begotten (2 Occurrences)
First-begotten. Firstbegotten, First-begotten. Firstborn . Int. Standard
Bible Encyclopedia FIRST-BEGOTTEN. furst-be-got'-'-n (prototokos ...
/f/first-begotten.htm - 10k

Firstling (8 Occurrences)
... flock. 2. (n.) The thing first thought or done. 3. (a.) Firstborn. Int.
Standard Bible Encyclopedia. FIRSTBORN; FIRSTLING. furst ...
/f/firstling.htm - 15k

Primogeniture
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The state of being the firstborn of the same
parents; seniority by birth among children of the same family. ...
/p/primogeniture.htm - 13k

Firstbegotten (1 Occurrence)
... Hebrews 1:6 Revelation 1:5), but in all other places in the King James Version,
and always in the Revised Version (British and American), by "firstborn." It is ...
/f/firstbegotten.htm - 10k

Opens (30 Occurrences)
... Exodus 13:2 "Sanctify to me all of the firstborn, whatever opens the womb among
the children of Israel, both of man and of animal. It is mine." (WEB). ...
/o/opens.htm - 14k

Birthright (10 Occurrences)
... BIRTHRIGHT. burth'-rit (bekhorah, from bekhor, "firstborn"; prototokia): Birthright
is the right which naturally belonged to the firstborn son. ...
/b/birthright.htm - 15k

Redeem (56 Occurrences)
... Exodus 13:13 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 ...
/r/redeem.htm - 25k

Males (51 Occurrences)
... Exodus 13:12 that you shall set apart to Yahweh all that opens the womb, and
every firstborn which you have that comes from an animal. ...
/m/males.htm - 22k

Breaketh (49 Occurrences)
... Exodus 13:2 Hallow unto me every firstborn, whatever breaketh open the womb among
the children of Israel, of man and of cattle: it is mine. (DBY). ...
/b/breaketh.htm - 21k

Resources

Why is the birthright so emphasized in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What can we learn from the tribe of Reuben? | GotQuestions.org

How many prophecies did Jesus fulfill? | GotQuestions.org

Firstborn: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus

Concordance

Firstborn (119 Occurrences)

Matthew 1:25
and didn't know her sexually until she had brought forth her firstborn son. He named him Jesus.
(WEB KJV DBY)

Luke 2:7
She brought forth her firstborn son, and she wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no room for them in the inn.
(WEB KJV ASV NAS NIV)

Luke 2:23
(As it says in the law of the Lord, Every mother's first male child is to be holy to the Lord),
(See NAS NIV)

Romans 8:29
For whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY NAS NIV)

Colossians 1:15
who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY NAS NIV)

Colossians 1:18
He is the head of the body, the assembly, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY NAS NIV)

Hebrews 1:6
Again, when he brings in the firstborn into the world he says, "Let all the angels of God worship him."
(WEB WEY ASV DBY NAS NIV)

Hebrews 11:28
By faith, he kept the Passover, and the sprinkling of the blood, that the destroyer of the firstborn should not touch them.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY NAS NIV)

Hebrews 12:23
to the general assembly and assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect,
(WEB KJV ASV DBY NAS NIV)

Revelation 1:5
and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us, and washed us from our sins by his blood;
(WEB ASV DBY NAS NIV)

Genesis 4:4
Abel also brought some of the firstborn of his flock and of its fat. Yahweh respected Abel and his offering,
(WEB NIV)

Genesis 10:15
Canaan became the father of Sidon (his firstborn), Heth,
(WEB JPS DBY NAS NIV)

Genesis 19:31
The firstborn said to the younger, "Our father is old, and there is not a man in the earth to come in to us after the manner of all the earth.
(WEB KJV NAS)

Genesis 19:33
They made their father drink wine that night: and the firstborn went in, and lay with her father. He didn't know when she lay down, nor when she arose.
(WEB KJV NAS)

Genesis 19:34
It came to pass on the next day, that the firstborn said to the younger, "Behold, I lay last night with my father. Let us make him drink wine again, tonight. You go in, and lie with him, that we may preserve our father's seed."
(WEB KJV NAS)

Genesis 19:37
The firstborn bore a son, and named him Moab. He is the father of the Moabites to this day.
(WEB NAS)

Genesis 22:21
Uz his firstborn, Buz his brother, Kemuel the father of Aram,
(WEB KJV NAS NIV)

Genesis 25:13
These are the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, according to the order of their birth: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebaioth, then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam,
(WEB KJV DBY NAS NIV)

Genesis 27:19
Jacob said to his father, "I am Esau your firstborn. I have done what you asked me to do. Please arise, sit and eat of my venison, that your soul may bless me."
(WEB DBY NAS NIV)

Genesis 27:32
Isaac his father said to him, "Who are you?" He said, "I am your son, your firstborn, Esau."
(WEB KJV DBY NAS NIV)

Genesis 29:26
Laban said, "It is not done so in our place, to give the younger before the firstborn.
(WEB KJV DBY NAS)

Genesis 35:23
The sons of Leah: Reuben (Jacob's firstborn), Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun.
(WEB KJV DBY NAS NIV)

Genesis 36:15
These are the chiefs of the sons of Esau: the sons of Eliphaz the firstborn of Esau: chief Teman, chief Omar, chief Zepho, chief Kenaz,
(WEB KJV DBY NAS NIV)

Genesis 38:6
Judah took a wife for Er, his firstborn, and her name was Tamar.
(WEB KJV DBY NAS NIV)

Genesis 38:7
Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the sight of Yahweh. Yahweh killed him.
(WEB KJV DBY NAS NIV)

Genesis 41:51
Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh, "For," he said, "God has made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house."
(WEB KJV DBY NAS NIV)

Genesis 43:33
They sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth, and the men marveled one with another.
(WEB KJV JPS DBY NAS NIV)

Genesis 46:8
These are the names of the children of Israel, who came into Egypt, Jacob and his sons: Reuben, Jacob's firstborn.
(WEB KJV DBY NAS NIV)

Genesis 48:14
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.
(WEB KJV DBY NAS NIV)

Genesis 48:18
Joseph said to his father, "Not so, my father; for this is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head."
(WEB KJV DBY NAS NIV)

Genesis 49:3
"Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength; excelling in dignity, and excelling in power.
(WEB KJV DBY NAS NIV)

Exodus 4:22
You shall tell Pharaoh,'Thus says Yahweh, Israel is my son, my firstborn,
(WEB KJV DBY NAS NIV)

Exodus 4:23
and I have said to you, "Let my son go, that he may serve me;" and you have refused to let him go. Behold, I will kill your son, your firstborn.'"
(WEB KJV DBY NAS NIV)

Exodus 6:14
These are the heads of their fathers' houses. The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel: Hanoch, and Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi; these are the families of Reuben.
(WEB KJV DBY NAS NIV)

Exodus 11:5
and all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the female servant who is behind the mill; and all the firstborn of livestock.
(WEB KJV DBY NAS NIV)

Exodus 12:12
For I will go through the land of Egypt in that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and animal. Against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am Yahweh.
(WEB KJV DBY NAS NIV)

Exodus 12:29
It happened at midnight, that Yahweh struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of livestock.
(WEB KJV JPS DBY NAS NIV)

Exodus 13:2
"Sanctify to me all of the firstborn, whatever opens the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of animal. It is mine."
(WEB KJV DBY NAS NIV)

Exodus 13:12
that you shall set apart to Yahweh all that opens the womb, and every firstborn which you have that comes from an animal. The males shall be Yahweh's.
(WEB NIV)

Exodus 13:13
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.
(WEB KJV DBY NAS NIV)

Exodus 13:15
and it happened, when Pharaoh would hardly let us go, that Yahweh killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man, and the firstborn of animal. Therefore I sacrifice to Yahweh all that opens the womb, being males; but all the firstborn of my sons I redeem.'
(WEB KJV JPS DBY NAS NIV)

Exodus 22:29
"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.
(WEB KJV DBY NAS NIV)

Exodus 34:19
"All that opens the womb is mine; and all your livestock that is male, the firstborn of cow and sheep.
(WEB NIV)

Exodus 34:20
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.
(WEB KJV NAS NIV)

Leviticus 27:26
"'Only the firstborn among animals, which is made a firstborn to Yahweh, no man may dedicate it; whether an ox or sheep, it is Yahweh's.
(WEB NAS NIV)

Numbers 1:20
The children of Reuben, Israel's firstborn, their generations, by their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of the names, one by one, every male from twenty years old and upward, all who were able to go out to war;
(WEB NAS NIV)

Numbers 3:2
These are the names of the sons of Aaron: Nadab the firstborn, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
(WEB KJV DBY NAS NIV)

Numbers 3:12
"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:
(WEB KJV DBY NAS)

Numbers 3:13
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 Yahweh."
(WEB KJV DBY NAS NIV)

Numbers 3:40
Yahweh 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.
(WEB KJV NAS NIV)

Numbers 3:41
You shall take the Levites for me (I am Yahweh) 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."
(WEB KJV DBY NAS NIV)

Numbers 3:42
Moses numbered, as Yahweh commanded him, all the firstborn among the children of Israel.
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Numbers 3:43
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.
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Numbers 3:45
"Take the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel, and the livestock of the Levites instead of their livestock; and the Levites shall be mine. I am Yahweh.
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Numbers 3:46
For the redemption of the two hundred seventy-three of the firstborn of the children of Israel, who exceed the number of the Levites,
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Numbers 3:50
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:
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Numbers 8:16
For they are wholly given to me from among the children of Israel; instead of all who open the womb, even the firstborn of all the children of Israel, I have taken them to me.
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Numbers 8:17
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.
(WEB KJV DBY NAS NIV)

Numbers 8:18
I have taken the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel.
(WEB KJV DBY NAS NIV)

Numbers 18:15
Everything that opens the womb, of all flesh which they offer to Yahweh, 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.
(WEB KJV DBY NAS NIV)

Numbers 18:17
"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 Yahweh.
(WEB DBY NAS NIV)

Numbers 26:5
Reuben, the firstborn of Israel; the sons of Reuben: of Hanoch, the family of the Hanochites; of Pallu, the family of the Palluites;
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Numbers 33:4
while the Egyptians were burying all their firstborn, whom Yahweh had struck among them: on their gods also Yahweh executed judgments.
(WEB KJV DBY NAS NIV)

Deuteronomy 12:6
and there you shall bring your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, and your tithes, and the wave offering of your hand, and your vows, and your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herd and of your flock:
(WEB NAS NIV)

Deuteronomy 12:17
You may not eat within your gates the tithe of your grain, or of your new wine, or of your oil, or the firstborn of your herd or of your flock, nor any of your vows which you vow, nor your freewill offerings, nor the wave offering of your hand;
(WEB NAS NIV)

Deuteronomy 14:23
You shall eat before Yahweh your God, in the place which he shall choose, to cause his name to dwell there, the tithe of your grain, of your new wine, and of your oil, and the firstborn of your herd and of your flock; that you may learn to fear Yahweh your God always.
(WEB NAS NIV)

Deuteronomy 15:19
All the firstborn males that are born of your herd and of your flock you shall sanctify to Yahweh your God: you shall do no work with the firstborn of your herd, nor shear the firstborn of your flock.
(WEB NAS NIV)

Deuteronomy 21:15
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;
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Deuteronomy 21:16
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:
(WEB KJV DBY NAS NIV)

Deuteronomy 21:17
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.
(WEB KJV DBY NAS NIV)

Deuteronomy 25:6
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.
(WEB KJV DBY NAS)

Deuteronomy 33:17
The firstborn of his herd, majesty is his. His horns are the horns of the wild ox. With them he shall push the peoples all of them, even the ends of the earth: They are the ten thousands of Ephraim. They are the thousands of Manasseh."
(WEB NAS NIV)

Joshua 6:26
Joshua commanded them with an oath at that time, saying, "Cursed is the man before Yahweh, who rises up and builds this city Jericho. With the loss of his firstborn shall he lay its foundation, and with the loss of his youngest son shall he set up its gates."
(WEB KJV NAS NIV)

Joshua 17:1
This was the lot for the tribe of Manasseh, for he was the firstborn of Joseph. As for Machir the firstborn of Manasseh, the father of Gilead, because he was a man of war, therefore he had Gilead and Bashan.
(WEB KJV DBY NAS NIV)

Judges 8:20
He said to Jether his firstborn, "Get up, and kill them!" But the youth didn't draw his sword; for he was afraid, because he was yet a youth.
(WEB KJV NAS)

1 Samuel 8:2
Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abijah: they were judges in Beersheba.
(WEB KJV DBY NAS NIV)

1 Samuel 14:49
Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, and Ishvi, and Malchishua; and the names of his two daughters were these: the name of the firstborn Merab, and the name of the younger Michal:
(WEB KJV DBY NAS)

1 Samuel 17:13
The three eldest sons of Jesse had gone after Saul to the battle: and the names of his three sons who went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, and next to him Abinadab, and the third Shammah.
(WEB KJV DBY NAS NIV)

2 Samuel 3:2
To David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;
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1 Kings 16:34
In his days did Hiel the Bethelite build Jericho: he laid its foundation with the loss of Abiram his firstborn, and set up its gates with the loss of his youngest son Segub, according to the word of Yahweh, which he spoke by Joshua the son of Nun.
(WEB KJV DBY NAS NIV)

1 Chronicles 1:13
Canaan became the father of Sidon his firstborn, and Heth,
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1 Chronicles 1:29
These are their generations: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebaioth; then Kedar, and Adbeel, and Mibsam,
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1 Chronicles 2:3
The sons of Judah: Er, and Onan, and Shelah; which three were born to him of Shua's daughter the Canaanitess. Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the sight of Yahweh; and he killed him.
(WEB KJV DBY NAS NIV)

1 Chronicles 2:13
and Jesse became the father of his firstborn Eliab, and Abinadab the second, and Shimea the third,
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1 Chronicles 2:25
The sons of Jerahmeel the firstborn of Hezron were Ram the firstborn, and Bunah, and Oren, and Ozem, Ahijah.
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1 Chronicles 2:27
The sons of Ram the firstborn of Jerahmeel were Maaz, and Jamin, and Eker.
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1 Chronicles 2:42
The sons of Caleb the brother of Jerahmeel were Mesha his firstborn, who was the father of Ziph; and the sons of Mareshah the father of Hebron.
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1 Chronicles 2:50
These were the sons of Caleb, the son of Hur, the firstborn of Ephrathah: Shobal the father of Kiriath Jearim,
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1 Chronicles 3:1
Now these were the sons of David, who were born to him in Hebron: the firstborn, Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; the second, Daniel, of Abigail the Carmelitess;
(WEB KJV DBY NAS NIV)

1 Chronicles 3:15
The sons of Josiah: the firstborn Johanan, the second Jehoiakim, the third Zedekiah, the fourth Shallum.
(WEB KJV JPS DBY NAS NIV)

1 Chronicles 4:4
and Penuel the father of Gedor, and Ezer the father of Hushah. These are the sons of Hur, the firstborn of Ephrathah, the father of Bethlehem.
(WEB KJV DBY NAS NIV)

1 Chronicles 5:1
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.
(WEB KJV DBY NAS NIV)

1 Chronicles 5:2
For Judah prevailed above his brothers, and of him came the prince; but the birthright was Joseph's:)
(See NIV)

1 Chronicles 5:3
the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel: Hanoch, and Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi.
(WEB KJV DBY NAS NIV)

1 Chronicles 6:28
The sons of Samuel: the firstborn Joel, and the second Abijah.
(WEB KJV DBY NAS NIV)

1 Chronicles 8:1
Benjamin became the father of Bela his firstborn, Ashbel the second, and Aharah the third,
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1 Chronicles 8:30
and his firstborn son Abdon, and Zur, and Kish, and Baal, and Nadab,
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1 Chronicles 8:39
The sons of Eshek his brother: Ulam his firstborn, Jeush the second, and Eliphelet the third.
(WEB KJV JPS DBY NAS NIV)

1 Chronicles 9:5
Of the Shilonites: Asaiah the firstborn, and his sons.
(WEB KJV DBY NAS NIV)

1 Chronicles 9:31
Mattithiah, one of the Levites, who was the firstborn of Shallum the Korahite, had the office of trust over the things that were baked in pans.
(WEB KJV JPS DBY NAS NIV)

Subtopics

Firstborn

Firstborn of Egyptians Killed

Firstborn of Idolaters, Sacrificed

Firstborn of Man and Beast, Reserved to Himself by God

Firstborn: Birthright of The: A Double Portion of Inheritance

Firstborn: Birthright of The: Adonijah

Firstborn: Birthright of The: Authority Over Younger Members of the Household

Firstborn: Birthright of The: Forfeited by Reuben

Firstborn: Birthright of The: Honorable Distinction of

Firstborn: Birthright of The: Hosah's Son

Firstborn: Birthright of The: Royal Succession