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Birthright

From: Boyd's Bible Dictionary: B

By: James P. Boyd

Narrator: Chris Genthree

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Among Jews the first-born son enjoyed the right of consecration (Ex. 22:29²⁹Thou shalt not delay to offer the first of thy ripe fruits, and of thy liquors: the firstborn of thy sons shalt thou give unto me. (Exodus 22:29)); great dignity (Gen. 49:3³Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power: (Genesis 49:3)); a double portion of the paternal estate (Deut. 21:17¹⁷But he shall acknowledge the son of the hated for the firstborn, by giving him a double portion of all that he hath: for he is the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn is his. (Deuteronomy 21:17)); right to royal succession (2 Chron. 21:3³And their father gave them great gifts of silver, and of gold, and of precious things, with fenced cities in Judah: but the kingdom gave he to Jehoram; because he was the firstborn. (2 Chronicles 21:3)).

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