Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

FIRSTBORN

The first male offspring of both animals (also called “firstlings”) and humans. They were regarded as belonging to God (Exod. 22:29-30[MT 28-29]); this was a reflection of the Passover when the firstborn males of Israel were spared during the final plague against Egypt (13:2, 14-15). In later times, the Levites were set aside for the service of the sanctuary in place of all firstborn Israelites (Num. 3:12-13). Israel was regarded as the firstborn of God among the nations (Exod. 4:22; cf. Jer. 31:9[8]).

Neither firstborn humans nor animals were to be released for secular purposes without redemption. There was to be a substitution (Exod. 13:12-13; 34:20; Lev. 27:26ff.; Num. 18:15). Firstborn impure and blemished animals were to be redeemed (by paying the assessed value of the animal plus one fifth; Lev. 27:26-27 [cf. vv. 9-13]; Exod. 34:20). Firstborn sacrificial animals were to be sanctified as either a burnt offering or a peace offering (Num. 18:17; Deut. 15:20). There is little solid evidence of the regular sacrifice of firstborn humans, in either the ancient Near East or the Bible; the incident of 2 Kgs. 3:27, where the king of Moab sacrificed his firstborn, is exceptional.

The firstborn of humans were assigned a double portion of the inheritance from the father (Deut. 21:15-17). A father could not disregard birth order in assigning the firstborn’s portion of his possessions. Though the firstborn could lose his birthright either by the act of God (1 Chr. 28:4; 1 Kgs. 2:15) or by selling it (Gen. 25:31-34), the firstborn never lost the title.

The firstborn is presented first in genealogies (e.g., 1 Chr. 6:16-30[1-14]). The family line is maintained through the firstborn, even if other sons are named (1 Chr. 7:1-4). The firstborn is the base of reference for the rest of the family (cf. Gen. 36:22), indicating his status. The right of the firstborn was never extended to firstborn daughters.

In the NT Jesus is presented as the firstborn (Gk. prōtótokos) of Mary (Matt. 1:25; Luke 2:7) and of God (Heb. 1:6). Elsewhere he is regarded as the “firstborn of all creation” (Col. 1:15), i.e., a mediator of creation (cf. vv. 16-17), and as the “firstborn from the dead” (v. 18; Rev. 1:5), indicating his primacy in the order of resurrection. Jesus is the “firstborn of many brethren” (i.e., those who would be conformed to his image; Rom. 8:29-30). The term occurs once with regard to the “destroyer of the firstborn” in Egypt (Heb. 11:28; cf. Exod. 11:5ff.). Finally, the Church is seen as an assembly of “firstborn” people who are enrolled in heaven (Heb. 12:23).

Michael D. Hildenbrand

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

FIRSTBORN

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)