See PRIMOCENITURE, for the literal 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. 15), 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 produced; 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.

First Fruits (primitive), among the Hebrews, were oblations of part of the fruits of the harvest, offered to God as an acknowledgment of his sovereign dominion. The first of these fruits was offered in the name of the whole nation, being either two loaves of bread, or a sheaf of barley which was threshed in the court of the temple. Every private person was obliged to bring his first fruits to the temple; and these consisted of wheat, barley, grapes, figs, apricots, olives, and dates.

There was another sort of first fruits which were paid to God. When bread was kneaded in a family, a portion of it was set apart and given to the priest or Levite who dwelt in the place; if there was no priest or Levite there, it was cast into the oven, and consumed by the fire. These offerings made a considerable part of the revenues of the Hebrew priesthood.

First Fruits are frequently mentioned in ancient Christian writers as one part of the church revenue. One of the councils of Carthage enjoins, that they should consist only of grapes and corn; which shows, that this First Fruits was the practice of the African church.

First Fruits in the church of England, are the profits of every spiritual benefice for the first year, according to the valuation thereof in the king's books.