The Firstborn

In the biblical narrative the firstborn embodies a principle of dedication and preeminence that threads through God's dealings with his people. The command to consecrate Israel's firstborn underscores their belonging to the Lord as a memorial of deliverance from Egypt and a claim upon the inheritance rights of the eldest. This pattern reaches its fulfillment in Christ, who is the firstborn of all creation and the firstborn among many brethren, securing redemption and bringing many sons to glory through his resurrection.

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Key Passages

Consecrate the Firstborn to Me

Exodus 13:1-16

God claims Israel's firstborn as His own - establishing the principle that the first and best belongs to God, redeemed through sacrifice.

After the Passover, God claims every firstborn in Israel as His own, commemorating their deliverance.

A¹nd the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

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. ³ And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten. ⁴ This day came ye out in the month Abib. ⁵ And it shall be when the LORD shall bring thee into the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee, a land flowing with milk and honey, that thou shalt keep this service in this month. ⁶ Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, and in the seventh day shall be a feast to the LORD. ⁷ Unleavened bread shall be eaten seven days; and there shall no leavened bread be seen with thee, neither shall there be leaven seen with thee in all thy quarters. ⁸ And thou shalt shew thy son in that day, saying, This is done because of that which the LORD did unto me when I came forth out of Egypt. ⁹ And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the LORD’s law may be in thy mouth: for with a strong hand hath the LORD brought thee out of Egypt. ¹⁰ Thou shalt therefore keep this ordinance in his season from year to year. ¹¹ And it shall be when the LORD shall bring thee into the land of the Canaanites, as he sware unto thee and to thy fathers, and shall give it thee, ¹² That thou shalt set apart unto the LORD all that openeth the matrix, and every firstling that cometh of a beast which thou hast; the males shall be the LORD’s. ¹³ And every firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb; and if thou wilt not redeem it, then thou shalt break his neck: and all the firstborn of man among thy children shalt thou redeem. ¹⁴ And it shall be when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What is this? that thou shalt say unto him, By strength of hand the LORD brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage: 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 LORD all that openeth the matrix, being males; but all the firstborn of my children I redeem. ¹⁶ And it shall be for a token upon thine hand, and for frontlets between thine eyes: for by strength of hand the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt.

The Firstborn of All Creation

Colossians 1:15-18

Paul declares Christ as the firstborn over all creation - not first created but supreme in rank, holding preeminence over everything that exists.

Christ is the firstborn over all creation and the firstborn from the dead-preeminent in everything.

W¹⁵ho is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

¹⁶ For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: ¹⁷ And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 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.

The Firstborn Among Many Brethren

Hebrews 1:5-6

Paul reveals that Christ is the firstborn among many brothers - His resurrection is the prototype for all believers who will share His glorified life.

The Son is declared superior to angels, the firstborn whom all creation worships.

F⁵or unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?

⁶ And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.

Did You Know?

The firstborn in ancient culture carried the family name, the double portion, and the responsibility of leadership. God claimed every firstborn in Israel as His own special possession.

When God struck the firstborn of Egypt, He was striking the future of every house. The only protection was the blood of the lamb on the doorposts.

Jesus is the firstborn of all creation, the firstborn from the dead, and the firstborn among many brothers. In Him we become co-heirs of the inheritance that belongs to the true Firstborn.