sons enjoyed certain special privileges ( Deuteronomy 21:17 ; Genesis 25:23 Genesis 25:31 Genesis 25:34 ; 49:3 ; 1 Chronicles 5:1 ; Hebrews 12:16 ; Psalms 89:27 ). (See BIRTHRIGHT .)
The "first-born of the poor" signifies the most miserable of the poor ( Isaiah 14:30 ). The "church of the first-born" signifies the church of the redeemed.
The destruction of the first-born was the last of the ten plagues inflicted on the Egyptians ( Exodus 11:1-8 ; Exodus 12:29 Exodus 12:30 ).
Menephtah is probably the Pharaoh whose first-born was slain. His son did not succeed or survive his father, but died early. The son's tomb has been found at Thebes unfinished, showing it was needed earlier than was expected. Some of the records on the tomb are as follows: "The son whom Menephtah loves; who draws towards him his father's heart, the singer, the prince of archers, who governed Egypt on behalf of his father. Dead."
Under the law, in memory of the exodus (when the first-born of the Egyptians were slain), the eldest son was regarded as devoted to God, and was in very case to be redeemed by an offering not exceeding five shekels, within one month from birth. If he died before the expiration of thirty days, the Jewish doctors held the father excused, but liable to the payment if he outlived that time. ( Exodus 13:12-15 Exodus 13:16 ; Leviticus 27:6 ) The eldest son received a double portion of the fathers inheritance, ( 21:17 ) but not of the mothers. Under the monarchy the eldest son usually, but no always, as appears in the case of Solomon, succeeded his father in the kingdom. ( 1 Kings 1:30 ; 2:22 ) The male first-born of animals was also devoted to God. ( Exodus 13:2 Exodus 13:12 Exodus 13:13 ; 22:29 ; Exodus 34:19 Exodus 34:20 ) Unclean animals were to be redeemed with the addition of one-fifth of the value, or else put to death; or, if not redeemed, to be sold, and the price given to the priests. ( Leviticus 27:13 Leviticus 27:27 Leviticus 27:28 )