# First-born ## Ignatius Catholic Study Bible *First-born* ([[hebrews-01#^hebrews-01-6|Heb 1:6]]) - *Prōtotokos* (Gk.): \"first-born\" or \"oldest son\". The term is used three times in Hebrews ([[hebrews-01#^hebrews-01-6|1:6]]; [[hebrews-11#^hebrews-11-28|11:28]]; [[hebrews-12#^hebrews-12-23|12:23]]) and fiv; [[hebrews-11#^hebrews-11-28|11:28]]; [[hebrews-12#^hebrews-12-23|12:23]]) and five times; [[hebrews-12#^hebrews-12-23|12:23]]) and five times in the) and five times in the) and five times in the) and five times in the) and five times in the) and five times in the rest of the NT ([[luke-02#^luke-02-7|Lk 2:7]]; [[romans-08#^romans-08-29|Rom 8:29]]; [[colossians-01#^colossians-01-15|Col 1:15, 18]]; [[revelation-01#^revelation-01-5|Rev 1:5]]). In Israel, primogeniture, or first-born sonship, was a mark of fraternal distinction. Socially, the first-born of an Israelite family was entitled to the largest share of his father\'s inheritance ([[deuteronomy-21#^deuteronomy-21-15|Deut 21:15-17]]; [[2-chronicles-21#^2-chronicles-21-3|2 Chron 21:3]]). In patriarchal times, the first-born son succeeded his father as the ruling and religious head of the family. This helps to explain why first-born sonship and priesthood are closely associated in Scripture. Through the Mosaic covenant, Yahweh consecrates his \"first-born son\" Israel ([[exodus-04#^exodus-04-22|Ex 4:22]]) to be a \"kingdom of priests\" over the family of nations ([[exodus-19#^exodus-19-6|Ex 19:6]]). Through the Davidic covenant, Yahweh established David and Solomon as his \"first-born\" sons ([[psalm-89#^psalm-89-27|Ps 89:27]]) to act as kings and priests over Israel ([[2-samuel-06#^2-samuel-06-12|2 Sam 6:12-19]]; [[1-kings-03#^1-kings-03-15|1 Kings 3:15]]; [[1-kings-08#^1-kings-08-62|8:62-63]]). This sets the stage for me). This sets the stage for me). This sets the stage for me). This sets the stage for me). This sets the stage for me). This sets the stage for messianic times, when the Father enthrones his Son as the first-born, priest, king, and heir of all things ([[hebrews-01#^hebrews-01-2|Heb 1:2-13]]; [[hebrews-05#^hebrews-05-5|5:5-6]]). In union with the First-bor). In union with the First-bor). In union with the First-bor). In union with the First-bor). In union with the First-bor). In union with the First-born, other brothers and sisters in the faith ([[hebrews-12#^hebrews-12-23|Heb 12:23]]) become fellow heirs with Christ ([[romans-08#^romans-08-17|Rom 8:17]]), as well as a royal and priestly people ([[1-peter-02#^1-peter-02-9|1 Pet 2:9]]; [[revelation-01#^revelation-01-6|Rev 1:6]]). See note on [[romans-08#^romans-08-29|Rom 8:29]]. ### Source [[19-hebrews-commentary#^75scag|First-born — word study]]