FIRSTBORN

The term “firstborn” – from the Greek “prototòkos” (equivalent of the Hebrew “bekòr”) meaning “first birth” – is used to indicate the first child, regardless of whether it is the only one or the greater of other siblings, since no one else was begotten before him. In fact, the only Son of God (John 1:14.18; 3:16) is called “his firstborn” (Hebrews 1:6). For the Israelites, “firstborn” was a legal term, as parents had to pay a ransom price for him (Exodus 13:13). Furthermore, the firstborn was privileged over his brothers (Deuteronomy 21:17), and therefore in the Bible he also has the sense of “preeminent”, that is, one who is elevated above others (Psalms 89:27). Ephraim, for example, was the younger brother of Manasseh (Genesis 41:51; 48:14), and yet their father Jacob gave the birthright to Ephraim (Genesis 48:17-20). Thus the Son of God is called “firstborn of creation” (Colossians 1:15), in reference to his pre-eminence over creation, and not as if he were the first creature. In fact the Son of God is the first cause of all things (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 1:2; 1 Corinthians 8:6). For “first created” the Greek has “protoktistos”, not “prototòkos”. The chosen people are also called “firstborn son” (Exodus 4:22) in reference to their being privileged with respect to other peoples (Deuteronomy 14:2).