The meaning of “πρωτότοκος”
Understanding prōtótokos reveals the original theological depth often simplified in translation.
firstbegotten(-born). - first-born (usually as noun, literally or figuratively)
πρωτότοκος
firstbegotten(-born). - first-born (usually as noun, literally or figuratively)
Occurrences in the Bible
| Reference | Text | |
|---|---|---|
| Matthew 1:25 | “And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS. ” Word: πρωτότοκος (prōtótokos) | |
| Luke 2:7 | “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” Word: πρωτότοκος (prōtótokos) | |
| Romans 8:29 | “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” Word: πρωτότοκος (prōtótokos) | |
| Colossians 1:18 | “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.” Word: πρωτότοκος (prōtótokos) | |
| Hebrews 11:28 | “Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.” Word: πρωτότοκος (prōtótokos) |
Usage Statistics
Theological Word Study: Firstborn
Old Testament Usage
Meaning: Firstborn
The Hebrew bekor (בְּכוֹר) means firstborn—holding special status and inheritance rights. Israel was God's 'firstborn' (Exodus 4:22), and the Passover consecrated all firstborn to the LORD.
New Testament Usage
Meaning: Firstborn
The Greek prototokos (πρωτότοκος) means firstborn—preeminent position. Christ is 'the firstborn of every creature' (Colossians 1:15), 'firstborn from the dead' (Colossians 1:18), and believers are 'the church of the firstborn' (Hebrews 12:23).