Word Study: Birthright

The dictionary defines birthright as a right, privilege, or possession to which a person is entitled by birth. But in the biblical sense, birthright is exclusively the rights and privileges allotted to the firstborn son in a family. All ten Bible references where the word is mentioned use it in connection with a firstborn.

The birthright of the firstborn

The firstborn of the house is entitled to the following rights:

• the blessing of the father. Before he dies, a father calls for his firstborn son to bestow his blessing. Examples of these were Jacob bestowing his blessing to Jacob instead of Esau (Genesis 25.1-4); and Jacob blessing his children on his deathbed. (Genesis 49)
• a double portion of inheritance. The firstborn is entitled to a double portion of the properties that a dying father will leave behind. (Deuteronomy 21.17)
• headship in the family. The firstborn son is set to succeed to his father as head of the household after his death. This honor is etched in family’s genealogy to be recognized for generations to come.

The believer’s birthright

Christians are entitled to a birthright by virtue of their faith in Christ.

12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name,

13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of a man, but of God.

John 1.12-13 |NASB

All children have basic, legal rights. But the believer’s rights is tightly connected with Christ’s inheritance, because we are not just heirs of God but also fellow heirs with Christ.

16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God,

17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

~ Romans 8.16-17 | NASB

This means that whatever Christ inherits, the believer gets to inherit too. For example, the saints are glorified together with Christ, they sit with Him on His throne to reign with Him, etc.

The church is more than just an assembly of called out people. Hebrews 12 calls her the church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven.

22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels,

23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,

~ Hebrews 12.22-23