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What does 'firstborn of all creation' (prototokos pases ktiseos) mean in Colossians 1:15-20, and does it teach that Jesus was the first created being? Also examine 'the beginning of the creation of God' (arche tes ktiseos tou theou) in Revelation 3:14. Investigate the OT usage of 'firstborn' (bekor) as a title of preeminence vs. birth order — Psalm 89:27 (God makes David 'firstborn' = highest king), Exodus 4:22 (Israel = 'my firstborn'), Genesis 41:51-52 with Jeremiah 31:9 (Ephraim called firstborn despite being second-born). Examine the creation paradox: John 1:3 says 'without him was not any thing made that was made' — if Jesus is a created being but ALL things were created through him, the logic is circular. Also examine Hebrews 1:6 (prototokos brought into world), Romans 8:29 (firstborn among many brethren), and the full Colossians 1:15-20 hymn where v.16-17 says 'by him were all things created.' Examine arche (G746) in Revelation 3:14 in its full semantic range: 'beginning' vs. 'ruler/source/origin.'

FIRSTBORN — BIRTHRIGHT OF THE

  • Exo 13:2
  • Exo 13:12-16
  • Exo 22:29-30
  • Exo 34:19-20
  • Lev 27:26
  • Num 3:13
  • Num 8:17-18
  • Deu 15:19-23
  • Neh 10:36
  • Exo 13:13
  • Exo 34:20
  • Lev 27:27
  • Num 3:40-51
  • Num 18:15-17
  • Num 3:12
  • Num 3:40-45
  • Num 8:16-18
  • Exo 11:5
  • Exo 12:12
  • Exo 12:29
  • Exo 13:15
  • Num 33:4
  • Ezk 20:26
  • Gen 4:7
  • Deu 21:15-17
  • 2 Chr 21:3
  • Exo 4:22
  • Psa 89:27
  • Jer 31:9
  • Rom 8:29
  • Col 1:15
  • Heb 1:6
  • Heb 12:23
  • Rev 1:5
  • Gen 25:29-34
  • Gen 27:36
  • Rom 9:12-13
  • Heb 12:16
  • Gen 49:3-4
  • 1 Chr 5:1-2
  • Gen 48:15-20
  • 1 Ki 2:15
  • 1 Chr 26:10

=== [F] FIRSTBORN === -Of man and beast, reserved to himself by God EXO 13:2,12-16; 22:29,30; 34:19,20; LEV 27:26; NUM 3:13; 8:17,18; DEU 15:19-23; NEH 10:36 -Redemption of EXO 13:13; 34:20; LEV 27:27; NUM 3:40-51; 18:15-17 -Levites taken instead of firstborn of the families of Israel NUM 3:12,40-45; 8:16-18 -Of Egyptians killed EXO 11:5; 12:12,29; 13:15; NUM 33:4 -Of idolaters, sacrificed EZK 20:26 -BIRTHRIGHT OF THE -Authority over younger members of the household GEN 4:7 -A double portion of inheritance DEU 21:15-17 -Royal succession 2CH 21:3 -Honorable distinction of EXO 4:22; PSA 89:27; JER 31:9; ROM 8:29; COL 1:15; HEB 1:6; 12:23; REV 1:5 -Sold by Esau GEN 25:29-34; 27:36; ROM 9:12,13; HEB 12:16 -Forfeited by Reuben GEN 49:3,4; 1CH 5:1,2 -Set aside: that of Manasseh GEN 48:15-20; 1CH 5:1 -Adonijah 1KI 2:15 -Hosah's son 1CH 26:10 -See BIRTHRIGHT

BIRTHRIGHT — GENERAL

  • Deu 21:15-16
  • Deu 21:15-17
  • 2 Chr 21:3
  • Exo 4:22
  • Psa 89:27
  • Jer 31:9
  • Rom 8:29
  • Col 1:15
  • Heb 1:6
  • Heb 12:23
  • Rev 1:5
  • Gen 25:29-34
  • Gen 27:36
  • Gen 25:33
  • Heb 12:16
  • Rom 9:12-13
  • 1 Chr 5:1-2
  • Gen 48:15-20
  • 1 Ki 2:15
  • 1 Chr 26:10

=== [B] BIRTHRIGHT === -Belonged to the first born DEU 21:15,16 -Entitled the firstborn to a double portion of inheritance DEU 21:15-17 -Royal succession 2CH 21:3 -An honorable title EXO 4:22; PSA 89:27; JER 31:9; ROM 8:29; COL 1:15; HEB 1:6; 12:23; REV 1:5 -Sold by Esau GEN 25:29-34; 27:36; with 25:33; HEB 12:16; ROM 9:12,13 -Forfeited by Reuben 1CH 5:1,2 -Set aside -That of Manasseh GEN 48:15-20 -Adonijah 1KI 2:15 -Hosah's son 1CH 26:10 -See FIRSTBORN

CREATION — GENERAL

  • Gen 1:1
  • Gen 1
  • Gen 2

=== [C] CREATION === -Beginning of GEN 1:1 -History of GEN 1; 2 -See ANIMALS -See BIRDS -See EARTH -See FISH -See GRASS -See HEAVENS -See MAN -See MOON -See SEAS -See STARS -See SUN -See WATER -See WOMAN, etc -See GOD, CREATOR -See JESUS, CREATOR

INHERITANCE — GENERAL

  • Gen 15:3
  • Gen 21:9-11
  • Gen 24:36
  • Gen 25:5-6
  • Gen 48:21-22
  • Num 27:6-11
  • Deu 21:15-17
  • 1 Ki 21:3
  • 2 Chr 21:3
  • Job 42:15
  • Pro 17:2
  • Pro 20:21
  • Ecc 2:18-19
  • Jer 32:6-8
  • Ezk 46:16-18
  • Luk 15:12
  • Gal 3:15
  • Heb 9:16-17
  • Psa 37:29
  • Act 20:32
  • Act 26:18
  • Rom 8:16-17
  • Eph 1:11-14
  • Tit 3:7
  • Heb 1:14

=== [I] INHERITANCE === -Provisions for inheritance under Levirate marriages GEN 38:7-11; NUM 36:6-9; DEU 25:5-10; RUT 3:1-8; 4:7-17 -UNCLASSIFIED SCRIPTURES RELATING TO GEN 15:3; 21:9-11; 24:36; 25:5,6; 48:21,22; NUM 27:6-11; DEU 21:15-17; 1KI 21:3; 2CH 21:3; JOB 42:15; PRO 17:2; 20:21; ECC 2:18,19; JER 32:6-8; EZK 46:16-18; LUK 15:12,25-31; GAL 3:15; HEB 9:16,17 -See WILL -See HEIR -FIGURATIVE PSA 37:29; ACT 20:32; 26:18; ROM 8:16,17; EPH 1:11-14; TIT 3:7; HEB 1:14 -See FIRSTBORN -See HEIR -See WILL