• Exodus 4:22-23
    Then you shall say to Pharaoh, 'Thus says the LORD: "Israel is My son, My firstborn. So I say to you, let My son go that he may serve Me. But if you refuse to let him go, indeed I will kill your son, your firstborn."'"
     
  • Exodus 13:12-15
    that you shall set apart to the LORD all that open the womb, that is, every firstborn that comes from an animal which you have; the males shall be the LORD’s. But every firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb; and if you will not redeem it, then you shall break its neck. And all the firstborn of man among your sons you shall redeem. So it shall be, when your son asks you in time to come, saying, "What is this?" that you shall say to him, "By strength of hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. And it came to pass, when Pharaoh was stubborn about letting us go, that the LORD killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man and the firstborn of beast. Therefore I sacrifice to the LORD all males that open the womb, but all the firstborn of my sons I redeem."
     
  • Jeremiah 31:9
    They shall come with weeping,
    And with supplications I will lead them.
    I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters,
    In a straight way in which they shall not stumble;
    For I am a Father to Israel,
    And Ephraim is My firstborn.

     


Related Scriptures

  • Numbers 8:16-18
    For they are wholly given to Me from among the children of Israel; I have taken them for Myself instead of all who open the womb, the firstborn of all the children of Israel. For all the firstborn among the children of Israel are Mine, both man and beast; on the day that I struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I sanctified them to Myself. I have taken the Levites instead of all the firstborn of the children of Israel.
     
  • Exodus 22:29
    “You shall not delay to offer the first of your ripe produce and your juices. The firstborn of your sons you shall give to Me.
     
  • Exodus 34:19-20
    “All that open the womb are Mine, and every male firstborn among your livestock, whether ox or sheep. But the firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb. And if you will not redeem him, then you shall break his neck. All the firstborn of your sons you shall redeem. “And none shall appear before Me empty-handed.
     
  • Numbers 3:12-13
    “Now behold, I Myself have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel instead of every firstborn who opens the womb among the children of Israel. Therefore the Levites shall be Mine, because all the firstborn are Mine. On the day that I struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I sanctified to Myself all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast. They shall be Mine: I am the LORD.”
     
For more scripture references, please see Bible verses for Israel as Firstborn


Resources

The Law of the Firstborn

Article by Staff

God claimed all the firstborn of Israel as His own, marking them as special to Him, even after the establishment of the Levitical priesthood. As recorded in Exodus 13:12, He instructed that all firstborn males of clean animals were to be sacrificed to Him, while the firstborn of human sons were to be redeemed by offering a lamb …


Is the Passover Just a Sin Offering? (Part Two)

Article by David C. Grabbe

The Passover instructions center on God's declaration to Pharaoh that Israel is My son, My firstborn, establishing the festival as the means by which He redeems this nation from Egyptian bondage. The blood on the doorposts served as the sign that protected Israel's firstborn from the plague that struck every other firstborn in …


Why We Observe Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

God established the sanctification of Israel's firstborn as a perpetual reminder that He alone spared them while striking Egypt's, declaring in Exodus 13 that they belonged to Him. This command appears within the instructions for the Days of Unleavened Bread, linking the annual observance directly to what He had done in …


The Priesthood of God (Part Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

The firstborn privileges indicate prominence, carrying the birthright promises. In the New Testament, the firstborn did not always correspond to actual birth order.


Born Again or Begotten? (Part Three)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

The concept of a spiritual birth has confused many. The Bible consistently compares Christians to already-born children or adults, not fetuses.


Wilderness Wandering (Part Three)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

We are being fitted as lively stones into an already formed Kingdom, being conformed to the image of Christ, who has been designated as the Cornerstone.


The Lamb of Revelation (Part One)

'Prophecy Watch' by David C. Grabbe

In most minds, lambs do not correspond to ideas of wrath and judgment, but the Lamb of God in Revelation is just that as our almighty Redeemer.


Who Are the Firstfruits?

Sermonette by

We may take it for granted that 'firstfruits' are synonymous with 'Christians.'" However, 'firstfruits' is very general, referring to surprising things.



For more resources, please see the library topic for Israel as Firstborn