Anakalypsis / Unveiling the Word

Theme · narrative

Firstborn

The firstborn in Israelite culture receives a double portion and carries the family's legacy. Yet God repeatedly overturns the rights of the firstborn — choosing Abel over Cain, Isaac over Ishmael, Jacob over Esau, Ephraim over Manasseh, David the youngest over all his brothers. In the Passover, the firstborn of Egypt die while Israel's firstborn are redeemed by blood. God claims Israel as his firstborn son. Paul calls Christ 'the firstborn over all creation' and 'the firstborn from among the dead,' and Hebrews presents believers as 'the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven.'

Passages expressing this theme

  • Col 1:15 — Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
  • Col 1:18 — And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
  • Exod 4:22 — And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn:
  • Exod 11:5 — And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the first born of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that is behind the mill; and all the first
  • Exod 12:29 — And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dung
  • Exod 13:2 — Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast: it is mine.
  • Exod 13:15 — And it came to pass, when Pharaoh would hardly let us go, that the LORD slew all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man, and the firstborn of beast: therefore I sacrifice to the
  • Gen 25:31 — And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright.
  • Gen 27:36 — And he said, Is not he rightly named Jacob? for he hath supplanted me these two times: he took away my birthright; and, behold, now he hath taken away my blessing. And he said, Hast thou not reserved
  • Gen 48:14 — And Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it upon Ephraim’s head, who was the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh’s head, guiding his hands wittingly; for Manasseh was the firstborn.
  • Gen 48:18 — And Joseph said unto his father, Not so, my father: for this is the firstborn; put thy right hand upon his head.
  • Heb 1:6 — And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.
  • Heb 12:23 — To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
  • Jer 31:9 — They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel,
  • Num 3:13 — Because all the firstborn are mine; for on the 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: mine shall they be: I am the
  • Ps 89:27 — Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth.
  • Rev 1:5 — And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
  • Rom 8:29 — 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.