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.
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.
Scripture References