FIRST-BORN. See PRIMOGENITURE, for the lit-
teral meaning of the term.
In Scripture it is also used often in a figurative sense
for that which is first, most excellent, most distinguished
in any thing. Thus it is said of Christ (Col. i. 5.),
that he is "the first-born of every creature;" and in
Revelation (i. 5.) he is called "The first-begotten of
the dead;" that is, according to the commentators,
begotten of the Father before any creature was pro-
duced; and the first who rose from the dead by his own
power. "The first-born of the poor," (Isa. xiv. 30.)
signifies, The most miserable of all the poor; and in
Job (xviii. 13.) "The first-born of death;" that is,
The most terrible of all deaths.