Topical Bible: The First Born: Precious and Valuable

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In biblical tradition, the concept of the "firstborn" holds significant theological and cultural importance. The firstborn is often seen as precious and valuable, both in terms of familial inheritance and spiritual symbolism. This entry explores the multifaceted role of the firstborn in Scripture, highlighting its significance in the context of ancient Israelite society and its theological implications.

Cultural and Familial Significance

In ancient Israel, the firstborn son held a place of honor and responsibility within the family. He was often regarded as the primary heir, receiving a double portion of the inheritance. This practice is rooted in the Mosaic Law, as seen in Deuteronomy 21:17: "But he must acknowledge the son of the unloved wife as the firstborn by giving him a double portion of all he has, for that son is the first sign of his father’s strength. The right of the firstborn belongs to him."

The firstborn's role extended beyond material inheritance; he was also expected to assume leadership within the family and maintain the family's legacy. This cultural norm underscored the firstborn's value and the weight of responsibility placed upon him.

Theological Significance

The concept of the firstborn carries profound theological meaning throughout the Bible. 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 signifies the firstborn's dedication to God, reflecting the principle that the first and best are to be offered to the Lord.

The Passover narrative further emphasizes the importance of the firstborn. In Exodus 12, God spares the firstborn of Israel during the final plague on Egypt, marking them as precious in His sight. This act of deliverance is commemorated annually in the Passover celebration, highlighting the firstborn's role in God's redemptive plan.

Christ as the Firstborn

In the New Testament, the concept of the firstborn is applied to Jesus Christ, underscoring His preeminence and divine status. Colossians 1:15 refers to Christ as "the firstborn over all creation," indicating His supremacy and authority. Furthermore, Romans 8:29 describes believers as being "conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers."

Christ's resurrection is also linked to the firstborn motif. In Revelation 1:5, He is called "the firstborn from the dead," signifying His victory over death and His role as the pioneer of eternal life for believers.

Redemption and Substitution

The firstborn's value is further illustrated in the concept of redemption. In Numbers 3:13, God declares, "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." The Levites were later designated as substitutes for the firstborn of Israel, highlighting the principle of redemption and substitution.

This theme finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ, who is both the firstborn and the Redeemer. As the sacrificial Lamb, He takes the place of humanity, offering Himself as the perfect substitute to redeem those who believe in Him.

Conclusion

The firstborn holds a place of great significance in biblical theology, symbolizing honor, responsibility, and divine favor. Through the lens of Scripture, the firstborn is seen as both a precious gift and a vital participant in God's redemptive plan.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Micah 6:7
Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Zechariah 12:10
And I will pour on the house of David, and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look on me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Water-Mark of John's Gospel.
... all others, "believe" and "witness." The first actually occurs ... The two words are
really twins, born at the ... scale, from something valuable and precious in itself ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/the water-mark of johns gospel.htm

Second Sunday after Trinity Exhortation to Brotherly Love.
... human being born; this was the first, precious fruit of ... even regarded that brother
as the first-born, as vastly ... from it is essential and valuable knowledge for ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/second sunday after trinity exhortation.htm

Charity.
... for a few minutes at this precious, beautiful Charity ... you give them the spiritual
bread first, for this ... Have you this Divine Charity, born of Heaven, tending to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/booth/godliness/chapter iii charity.htm

The Martyrdom of Saint Polycarp,
... 2So we later took up his bones, more precious than costly stones and more valuable
than gold ... said to Marcion, "I know you; I know the first-born of Satan ...
/.../richardson/early christian fathers/the martyrdom of saint polycarp.htm

The True Christian's Blessedness
... whereby we are able to separate the precious from the ... This week, mother, thou mayest
see thy first-born carried to the ... it is a truth that is not valuable to me ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/the true christians blessedness.htm

Rondelet, {7} the Huguenot Naturalist {8}
... antiquarians assure us that the precious garment has ... his own bishop, stood godfather
to his first- born daughter ... been carefully examined, and the first flush of ...
/.../kingsley/historical lectures and essays/rondelet 7 the huguenot naturalist.htm

The Name Above Every Name
... of ours, which is the most precious thing we ... Christ' has cast away the most valuable
and characteristic ... the Sovereign of the world, and the First-born from the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/the name above every name.htm

Christ Precious to Believers
... to bear; and yet the Christians in the first ages took ... Yes, I say, the very new-born
powers of the ... him, and then he must conclude that Christ is precious to him ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/christ precious to believers.htm

The Lord's Supper
... unseen sword, to smite and kill the first-born, or eldest ... what he taught the apostles
when he first used these ... gold and silver, and inlaid with precious jewels ...
/.../newton/the life of jesus christ for the young/the lords supper.htm

Byzantine Empresses Theodora ii. , Theophano, Zoe, Theodora iii.
... the time when a ship laden with a valuable cargo in ... compelled him to unload and expose
his precious cargo of ... at the cruel destiny of her first-born, died in ...
/.../brittain/women of early christianity/xiii byzantine empresses theodora ii.htm