First-begotten, First-born,
bekor, prwtotokoj.
1. Moses was to say to Pharaoh, "Thus saith the Lord, Israel is my son, even my first-born." Exodus 4:22. God called him out of Egypt, which is applied also to the Lord Jesus. Hosea 11:1; Matthew 2:15.
2. Because Pharaoh refused to let God's first-born go, all the first-born of Egypt were slain. Exodus 12:29.
3. God claimed for Himself all the first-born of the children of Israel, and of their cattle. The first-born of Israel were redeemed by the sons of Levi, as far as they went, and the remainder were redeemed with money. Numbers 3:12-51.
4. To the first-born son in a family pertained the birthright. Esau was called a profane person for selling his birthright: it was despising the gift of God. The first-born son was to inherit a double portion of his father's property. Deuteronomy 21:15-17.
5. In the N.T. the term is applied to the Lord: He was Mary's first-born. Matthew 1:25. He is also called, in pre-eminence, 'the first-born of every creature,' Colossians 1:15; 'the first-born among many brethren,' Romans 8:29; and 'the first-born from the dead.' Colossians 1:18; Revelation 1:5. In bringing 'the first-begotten' into the world, God says, "Let all the angels of God worship him." Hebrews 1:6.
In the O.T. also the title had the force of pre-eminence, irrespective of the time of birth. David, though the youngest, was made the firstborn: of. Psalms 89:27. Christ also in every relationship must have the first place, as is manifest in the above passages.