How Ancient Hebrews Use The Term Firstborn?
The word “firstborn” is an example of how we must understand the word in the same way it was understood by the ancient Hebrews. The word “firstborn” referred to the son in the family who was in the preeminent position, without regard to whether he was literally the first son born in the family. The firstborn was not only preeminent, he would also be heir to a double portion of the family inheritance. In most cases the first son who was physically born was also the firstborn. But, that was not always true. For example: King David was the youngest (last-born) son of Jesse. Yet Psalm 89:27 says this about David, “I also shall make him My firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth.” Though David was the last son to be born in Jesse’s family, David is called the firstborn because of the preeminent position in which God placed him. Here’s more examples: Compare Genesis 41:50-51 with Jeremiah 31:9. Manasseh was actually the first son born to Joseph, while his son Ephraim was born some t
