Birthright
Archimandrite Nikifor’s Biblical Encyclopedia
(Gen. 25:31)—among the Hebrews the firstborn son enjoyed special rights and advantages over his brothers. “Thou art my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power” (Gen. 49:3), Jacob said to his firstborn son Reuben. These privileges included consecration to the Lord (Ex. 22:29), special dignity (Gen. 49:3), a double portion of the father’s estate (Deut. 21:17), and, in the royal family, inheritance of the throne upon the father’s death (2 Chron. 21:3). In the father’s absence the eldest son was regarded as his representative in the household.