In the context of ancient Israelite tradition and law, the concept of the "firstborn" held significant religious and cultural importance. The laws concerning the firstborn are rooted in the Mosaic Law and are observed in various passages throughout the Old Testament. These laws were meticulously adhered to during the birth and early life of Jesus Christ, as recorded in the New Testament.

Old Testament Foundations

The laws regarding the firstborn are primarily found in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers. According to Exodus 13:2 , God commanded, "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, particularly the sparing of the Israelite firstborn during the final plague (Exodus 12:29-30).

In Numbers 3:13 , God reiterates, "For all the firstborn are Mine. On the day I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I sanctified to Myself all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast. They are Mine; I am the LORD." This sanctification required that the firstborn males be dedicated to God, symbolizing their special status and the nation's covenant relationship with Him.

Redemption of the Firstborn

The law also provided for the redemption of the firstborn. In Numbers 18:15-16 , it is stated, "The firstborn of every womb, whether man or beast, that is offered to the LORD, belongs to you. But you must surely redeem the firstborn of man and the firstborn of unclean animals. You are to pay the redemption price for a month-old male, five shekels of silver, according to the sanctuary shekel, which weighs twenty gerahs."

This redemption process underscored the principle that while the firstborn were dedicated to God, they could be redeemed through a specified payment, allowing them to remain with their families.

Observance at Christ's Birth

The observance of these laws is evident in the account of Jesus Christ's birth. In Luke 2:22-24 , it is recorded, "And when the days of their purification were completed according to the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord: 'Every firstborn male shall be consecrated to the Lord'), and to offer the sacrifice specified in the Law of the Lord: 'A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.'"

This passage highlights the adherence of Mary and Joseph to the Mosaic Law, as they brought Jesus to the temple for His presentation and offered the prescribed sacrifice. The offering of "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons" indicates their humble financial status, as this was the provision for those who could not afford a lamb (Leviticus 12:8).

Significance in the New Testament

The observance of the firstborn laws at Christ's birth underscores the continuity of God's covenantal promises and the fulfillment of the Law through Jesus. As the firstborn of Mary, Jesus was consecrated to God, symbolizing His role as the ultimate Redeemer. The presentation at the temple also foreshadows His future ministry and sacrificial death, fulfilling the Law and the Prophets.

In Colossians 1:15 , Jesus is referred to as "the firstborn over all creation," emphasizing His preeminence and divine nature. This title reflects both His status as the firstborn in a legal and cultural sense and His unique position as the Son of God, who fulfills and transcends the Old Testament laws concerning the firstborn.Luke 2:22,23
And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

That the Scriptures are Divinely Inspired.
... individuals who have abandoned the laws of their ... again, makes a similar revelation
respecting Jerusalem, saying ... and to the Church of the first-born which is ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/chapter i that the scriptures are.htm

The Women of the Gospel Narrative the Study of the Early Christian ...
... as in the case of marriage; the laws relating to ... Mary of Magdala His risen Spirit
was born into the ... given the supreme honor of receiving the first greeting of ...
/.../brittain/women of early christianity/i the women of the.htm

Introductory Essays
... Paul respecting the Gospel, that therein is the righteousness, or ... in the first place
in Christ the first-born and in ... it can never attain by any laws or works? ...
/.../luther/first principles of the reformation/introductory essays.htm

Period ii. The Church from the Permanent Division of the Empire ...
... age, and, the darkness having been dispelled, we have given light to the laws by
a ... Each man, because born of condemned stock, is first of all born from Adam ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period ii the church from.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
... Yea, let me add further, What laws have been made ... an image," he is also called "the
first-born" of every ... His being a creature, respecting his manhood, and his ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm

Index of Subjects.
... First man, the, of the Manich??ans, [277]157; different ... refuted, [438]320 sq.; was
He born?"reply to ... the Christian faith from, [443]227; laws and observances ...
/.../writings in connection with the donatist controversy /index of subjects.htm

Period iii. The Critical Period: AD 140 to AD 200
... all this, as they write, then the laws of the ... Father, that from him in turn was born
the Logos ... and principalities and angels, whom he calls the first; and that ...
/.../a source book for ancient church history/period iii the critical period .htm

Period iv. The Age of the Consolidation of the Church: 200 to 324 ...
... was not due to disregard of the laws against Christians ... down into the Virgin, was
Himself born of her ... HORIZONTAL ELLIPSIS} He [Praxeas] was the first to import ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period iv the age of.htm

Sunday after Ascension Day
... gluttonous tendencies are worthy one born solely to ... tortured our consciences with
his laws"how ungrateful ... expressions, in the thirteenth of First Corinthians ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/sunday after ascension day.htm

The Interpretation of the Articles.
... treatise upon the 'Reformation of Ecclesiastical Laws,' composed under ... But in the
first passage our Lord, after declaring ... that every one that is born of water ...
/.../ 81 the interpretation of.htm

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