The Sacrifice of Firstborns in the Old Testament and its Background

Subject Areas : Judaism

Somayeh Rakhshanifar ¹ , Khalil Hakimifar ^{2 *}

1 - Dep. Philosophy and Religion
2 -

Received: 2025-02-01 Accepted : 2025-04-20 Published : 2025-09-27

Keywords: firstborn, Judaism, sacrifice, Hebrews,

Abstract :

The concept of firstborn status is a significant topic in the Hebrew Bible. Firstborns had special rights and privileges within the family, as well as specific responsibilities in social and religious contexts. The Jewish people consecrated every firstborn male for service to "Yahweh," the Hebrew God. The verse "All the firstborn are mine" implies that the firstborns were sacrificed to Yahweh. However, other verses indicate Yahweh's severe warnings against child sacrifice to the Israelites. It is argued that Yahweh's demand that all firstborns belong to Him and must be consecrated does not mean sacrifice, but rather the sanctification and distinction of firstborns from others. The question is, what is the origin of the concept of firstborn status and its sacrifice in Judaism, and how did it come to be included in the Bible? This research, with an external religious approach and using historical-sociological methods and references to the Bible, will explore the background of the sacrifice of firstborns in Judaism.

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