Bible Dictionary
First-born, Sanctification of the
The sanctification of the first-born was the dedication of the first male child or animal to God. The first-born represented the family, while the first-born of clean animals was offered in sacrifice.
Definition
The sanctification of the first-born was the consecration of the first male child and first-born animals to God. The first-born son represented the family, while the first-born of clean animals was offered in sacrifice.
Biblical Usage
God claimed the first-born males of people and cattle as holy to him. The human first-born represented the family, and the animal first-born served in sacrificial worship.
Historical Background
A peculiar sanctity was attached to the first-born of both people and cattle.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
A peculiar sanctity was attached to the first-born both of man and of cattle. God claimed that the first-born males of man and of animals should be consecrated to him, the one as a priest (Ex. 19:22, 24), representing the family to which he belonged, and the other to be offered up in sacrifice (Gen. 4:4).