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First-begotten, First-born,

bekor, πρωτότοκος.

1. Moses was to say to Pharaoh, "Thus saith the Lord, Israel is my son, even my first-born." Ex. 4: 22. God called him out of Egypt, which is applied also to the Lord Jesus. Hosea 11: 1; Matt. 2: 15.

2. Because Pharaoh refused to let God's first-born go, all the first- born of Egypt were slain. Ex. 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. Num. 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. Deut. 21: 15-17.

5. In the N.T. the term is applied to the Lord: He was Mary's first- born. Matt. 1: 25. He is also called, in pre-eminence, 'the first-born of every creature,' Col. 1: 15; 'the first-born among many brethren,' Rom. 8: 29; and 'the first-born from the dead.' Col. 1: 18; Rev. 1: 5. In bringing 'the first-begotten' into the world, God says, "Let all the angels of God worship him." Heb. 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. Ps. 89: 27. Christ also in every relationship must have the first place, as is manifest in the above passages.

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