בְּכֹרָה
be.kho.rah
birthright
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Hebrew word "בְּכֹרָה" (be.kho.rah) corresponds to the Strong's number H1062, specifically falling under the semantic domain of sin and righteousness. Its short definition, "birthright," conveys the idea of inheritance or a natural claim to something due to one's birth status. In the context of its ten occurrences in the Bible, "בְּכֹרָה" appears to be tied to concepts of entitlement and status. The word's association with sin and righteousness suggests that this entitlement may be linked to one's moral standing or actions. The significance of "בְּכֹרָה" lies in its role in conveying the complexities of entitlement and the consequences that follow from one's birthright or inheritance. The fact that it is used ten times in the Bible illustrates its importance in the biblical narrative.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
10 total occurrences across the text
Jacob said, “First, sell me your birthright.”
Genesis 25:32Esau said, “Behold, I am about to die. What good is the birthright to me?”
Genesis 25:33Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” He swore to him. He sold his birthright to Jacob.
Genesis 25:34Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew. He ate and drank, rose up, and went his way. So Esau despised his birthright.
Genesis 27:36He said, “Isn’t he rightly named Jacob? For he has supplanted me these two times. He took away my birthright. See, now he has taken away my blessing.” He said, “Haven’t you reserved a blessing for me?”
Genesis 43:33They sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth, and the men marveled with one another.
Deuteronomy 21:17but he shall acknowledge the firstborn, the son of the hated, by giving him a double portion of all that he has; for he is the beginning of his strength. The right of the firstborn is his.
1 Chronicles 5:1The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel (for he was the firstborn; but, because he defiled his father’s couch, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph the son of Israel; and the genealogy is not to be listed according to the birthright.
1 Chronicles 5:1The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel (for he was the firstborn; but, because he defiled his father’s couch, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph the son of Israel; and the genealogy is not to be listed according to the birthright.
1 Chronicles 5:2For Judah prevailed above his brothers, and from him came the prince; but the birthright was Joseph’s)—