FIRSTBORN - His head is
tn Heb “his head is gold of pure gold.” In the genitive construct phrase כֶּתֶם פָּז (ketem paz, literally, “gold of pure gold”) the genitive noun פָּז (paz, “pure gold”) functions as an adjectival genitive modifying כֶּתֶם(“gold”), that is, “pure gold.” The repetition of two different words for “gold” suggests that the phrase should be nuanced “the purest gold.” This phrase is a predicate nominate in a metaphorical statement: “his head is (like) the purest gold.” In the OT gold is frequently used in comparisons to emphasize the idea of beauty, value, or rarity (Job 28:12-19; Pss 19:11; 119:127; Prov 8:19; Isa 13:12; Lam 4:2). Palestine had no known sources of gold, but had to import it, making it a rare and precious commodity (Ruth V. Wright and R. L. Chadbourne, The Gems and Minerals of the Bible, 65).
But he shall acknowledge the first-born, the son of the hated, by giving him a double portion of all that he hath; for he is the beginning of his strength; the right of the first-born is his. Deuteronomy 21:17
“I will appoint him to be my firstborn son, the most exalted of the earth’s kings.” Psalms 89:27
“So the last will be first, and the first last.””
Matthew 20:16 NET
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation,” Colossians 1:15 NET
The Son is “firstborn” as he is both the first in time and preeminent of the group.
First-born, Lk. 2:7; Heb. 11:28; in NT prior in generation, Col. 1:15; a firstborn head of a spiritual family, Rom. 8:29; Heb. 1:6; firstborn, as possessed of the peculiar privilege of spiritual generation, Heb. 12:23
πρωτότοκος (prōtotokos), ον (on): adj.; ≡ DBLHebr 1147; Str 4416; TDNT 6.871—1. LN 10.43 birthright, pertaining to the inheritance rights of the firstborn (Lk 2:7; Ro 8:29; Col 1:15, 18; Heb 1:6; 11:28; 12:23; Rev 1:5+; Mt 1:25 v.r.; Rev 2:8 v.r. NA26); 2. LN 13.79 existing before (Col 1:15); 3. LN 87.47 superior (Col 1:15), for another interp, see above, note: there may be overlap in the verses and entries
בְּכֹר beḵōr first-born, oldest offspring
רֹאשׁ - head; hair; person, individual; height, peak, upper end; beginning; topmost, outermost, best; leader, chief; value, total amount, sum: 1 Ch 5:12; בִּכּוּרִים—first-fruits: Eze 44:30
British novelist, aeronautical engineer and pilot Nevil Shute expressed this perfectly in his 1953 autobiography Slide Rule: “The good test pilot is not the daring young bachelor of fiction, with half a dozen girlfriends and a big sports car….The good test pilot is the happily married man with a wife and young children dependent on him, helpless people that he loves and who will be grievously injured if he loses his life. In the hands of such a man your experimental aeroplane will be as safe as it is possible to be.”
He That Cometh: The Messiah Concept in the Old Testament and Later Judaism (trans. G. W. Anderson; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2005); Joseph A. Fitzmyer, The One Who Is to Com (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2007).
Christ Is King: Paul’s Royal Christology (Minneapolis: Fortress, forthcom-ing 2016).
Glorification | The Final Frontier
Going Boldly Where The Last Man has Gone Before!
Decrease time over target:
PayPal or Venmo @clastronaut
Cash App $clastronaut
