Meaning
"a birthright" (from protos, "first," tikto, "to beget"), is found in Heb 12:16, with reference to Esau (cp. prototokos, firstborn). The "birthright" involved pre-eminence and authority, Gen 27:29, Gen 49:3. Another right was that of the double portion, Deu 21:17, 1Ch 1:5-2. Connected with the "birthright" was the progenitorship of the Messiah. Esau transferred his "birthright" to Jacob for a paltry mess of pottage, profanely despising this last spirtual privilge, Gen. 25; 27. In the history of the nation God occassionally set aside the "birthright," to show that the objects of His choice depended not on the will of the flesh, but on His own authority. Thus Isaac was preferred to Ishmael, Jacob to Esau, Joseph to Reuben, David to his elder brethren, Solomon to Adonijah. See FIRSTBORN.
