Let’s be honest: There’s not enough space on the entire internet to talk about everything related to the concept of the firstborn in the Bible. There’s the death of the firstborn, inheritance, Reuben and Judah, Jacob and Esau…and that’s just in the first few books.
The New Testament especially talks about the Firstborn in two capacities. First, as Jesus being the “firstborn of God” (Colossians 1:15)—in discussing His authority, not as a part of creation—and in our status as firstborn (Hebrews 12:23). It’s a thought that is continued from the Old Testament, specifically Exodus 13:1-15.
Admittedly, the discussion on the firstborn happens at an awkward time, narratively speaking. The verses before it discuss the Passover, and the verses after describe the actual exodus from Egypt. Moses interrupts the story to talk about the firstborn. If you didn’t know any better, you might think you were in Leviticus instead of Exodus.
So why stop everything to talk about the importance of the Firstborn? The first reason could be that God is setting expectations before they get too far out of Egypt. The firstborn child is God’s (most likely a reference to a male, judging from Exodus 13:12), not their own.
If the Israelites really had the understanding, before they even got to the Red Sea, of the firstborn being God’s, it would set up a generational understanding of devotion to Jehovah. They owe everything to Him, and the firstborn needs to understand that better than anyone else in that family.
The Text actually gives this reference Itself in Exodus 13:14. When their children were to ask about the firstborn, the parents were to respond about the mighty power of God in delivering them from Egypt.
For the generation that is leaving Egypt, the mention of the firstborn would also evoke feelings of of the tenth plague, which killed all the firstborn children in Egypt. God has power over all creation, which this plague demonstrated. Sanctifying your firstborn to God would give a powerful image of obedience and devotion.
But what does it mean to sanctify your firstborn, practically-speaking?
Most likely it involved a payment of five shekels directly to the treasury, which is talked about in Numbers 18:15-16. Some other families may choose to do more. In 1 Samuel 1, for instance, Hannah offers to give her firstborn son in service to God if He would bless her with a son in the first place (since she’s barren). God heard her prayer, and gave her Samuel.
Whatever is actually referred to with the dedication of the firstborn, we know it does not involve child sacrifice. I thought this was a given, since numerous passages in the Bible decry the practice as an abomination. There are still critics out there who argue that’s exactly what God wanted though, so I felt obliged to include it.
I live under the New Testament, so I didn’t ever “sanctify” my firstborn son. I do see the value in making sure my children understand the family’s responsibility towards God. That’s an effort we should make for every child though, not just the firstborn. That’s the way we can truly produce a generational understanding of who God is and create a reverence that drives devotion.
