To: metmom; The Theophilus; presently no screen name; 1000 silverlings; Alex Murphy; bkaycee
It specifically says *firstborn*. Because firstborn has a legal significance in Hebrew law: it means he is dedicated to God. Being only son is of no such significance.
2,865 posted on
11/22/2010 5:45:25 AM PST by
annalex
(http://www.catecheticsonline.com/CatenaAurea.php)
To: annalex; metmom; The Theophilus; presently no screen name; 1000 silverlings; Alex Murphy; ...
Because firstborn has a legal significance in Hebrew law: it means he is dedicated to God. Being only son is of no such significance. There are two types of firstborns in the Jewish law, one is paternal lineage, having to do with inheritance rights, and the second one is maternal, having to do with offering. The former is not at all limited to the ordinal position but can change (i.e. can be forfeited, such as in Esau's case). The carrier of the designation "firstborn" gets twice the inheritance of the other brothers. The latter has to do with purity. See Encyclopedia Judaica on "firstborn" topic.
2,873 posted on
11/22/2010 8:16:01 AM PST by
kosta50
(God is tired of repenting -- Jeremiah 15:6, KJV)
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