The meaning of “בְּכוֹר”
Understanding bᵉkôwr reveals the original theological depth often simplified in translation.
eldest (son), firstborn(-ling). - firstborn - hence, chief 1) firstborn, firstling 1a) of men and women 1b) of animals 1...
בְּכוֹר
eldest (son), firstborn(-ling). - firstborn - hence, chief 1) firstborn, firstling 1a) of men and women 1b) of animals 1c) noun of relation (fig.)
Occurrences in the Bible
| Reference | Text | |
|---|---|---|
| Genesis 38:6 | “And Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, whose name was Tamar.” Word: בְּכוֹר (bᵉkôwr) | |
| Deuteronomy 21:17 | “But he shall acknowledge the son of the hated for the firstborn, by giving him a double portion of all that he hath: for he is the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn is his.” Word: בְּכוֹר (bᵉkôwr) | |
| 2 Samuel 3:2 | “And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;” Word: בְּכוֹר (bᵉkôwr) | |
| 2 Chronicles 21:3 | “And their father gave them great gifts of silver, and of gold, and of precious things, with fenced cities in Judah: but the kingdom gave he to Jehoram; because he was the firstborn.” Word: בְּכוֹר (bᵉkôwr) | |
| Isaiah 14:30 | “And the firstborn of the poor shall feed, and the needy shall lie down in safety: and I will kill thy root with famine, and he shall slay thy remnant.” Word: בְּכוֹר (bᵉkôwr) |
Usage Statistics
Related Words
Cross-referenced Strong's numbers with semantic or etymological connections.
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).