Encyclopedia entry
Birthright
Disambiguation
The source enumerates 4 distinct subjects under Birthright. Jump to one below, or read in order.
- 1.This word denotes the special privileges and advantages belonging to the first-born…
- 2.The first-born son had allotted to him also a double portion of the paternal…
- 3.The first-born inherited the judicial authority of his father, whatever it might be…
- 4.The Jews attached a sacred importance to the rank of “first-born” and…
Birthright (1)
#This word denotes the special privileges and advantages belonging to the first-born son among the Jews. He became the priest of the family. Thus Reuben was the first-born of the patriarchs, and so the priesthood of the tribes belonged to him. That honour was, however, transferred by God from Reuben to Levi (Num. 3:12, 13; 8:18).
Birthright (2)
#The first-born son had allotted to him also a double portion of the paternal inheritance (Deut. 21:15-17). Reuben was, because of his undutiful conduct, deprived of his birth-right (Gen. 49:4; 1 Chr. 5:1). Esau transferred his birth-right to Jacob (Gen. 25:33).
Birthright (3)
#The first-born inherited the judicial authority of his father, whatever it might be (2 Chr. 21:3). By divine appointment, however, David excluded Adonijah in favour of Solomon.
Birthright (4)
#The Jews attached a sacred importance to the rank of “first-born” and “first-begotten” as applied to the Messiah (Rom. 8:29; Col. 1:18; Heb. 1:4-6). As first-born he has an inheritance superior to his brethren, and is the alone true priest.
Also from Smith's (1884) +−
the advantages accruing to the eldest son. These were not definitely fixed in patriarchal times. Great respect was paid to him in the household, and, as the family widened into a tribe, this grew into a sustained authority, undefined save by custom, in all matters of common interest. Thus the “princes” of the congregation had probably rights of primogeniture. (Numbers 7:2; 21:18; 25:14) (Gradually the rights of the eldest son came to be more definite: (1) The functions of the priesthood in the family with the paternal blessing. (2) A “double portion” of the paternal property was allotted by the Mosaic law. (21:16-17) (3) The eldest son succeeded to the official authority of the father. The first-born of the king was his successor by law. (2 Chronicles 21:3) In all these Jesus was the first-born of the father.
In the Bible
9
Verses where Birthright is named. Berean Standard Bible (public domain).
- 1 Chronicles 5:1
These were the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel. Though he was the firstborn, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel, because Reuben defiled his father’s bed. So he is not reckoned according to birthright.
- 1 Chronicles 5:2
And though Judah prevailed over his brothers and a ruler came from him, the birthright belonged to Joseph.
- Genesis 25:31
“First sell me your birthright,” Jacob replied.
- Genesis 25:32
“Look,” said Esau, “I am about to die, so what good is a birthright to me?”
- Genesis 25:33
“Swear to me first,” Jacob said. So Esau swore to Jacob and sold him the birthright.
- Genesis 25:34
Then Jacob gave some bread and lentil stew to Esau, who ate and drank and then got up and went away. Thus Esau despised his birthright.
+3 more verses naming Birthright.
Scripture on Birthright
13
Birthright references
13
Voices on Birthright
5
Surfaced by name match — accuracy varies by title clarity.
Sources · Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897) · Smith's Bible Dictionary (1884)
Public-domain text. Modernized only where archaic spelling impedes reading; original facts preserved. Verify against an authoritative modern reference before quoting.