πρωτοτόκια
prōtotókia
G4415 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Primogeniture; the right or legal privilege accorded to the firstborn, especially the inheritance or advantages belonging to the status of being firstborn. In broader contexts, it signifies the prerogatives or entitlements connected with that position, such as inheriting a greater share of a father's estate or receiving special honor among siblings.
Semantic Range
primogeniture, right of the firstborn, inheritance right of the firstborn, privileges or advantages assigned to the firstborn, legal birthright
Root / Etymology
From the adjective πρωτότοκος (firstborn); the noun πρωτοτόκια is a derived neuter plural form meaning 'the rights or things belonging to the firstborn.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Classical and Hellenistic Greek, πρωτοτόκια rarely appears, but the concept of primogeniture—the set of rights and privileges belonging to the firstborn male—is present in social and legal customs. In the Septuagint, πρωτοτόκια translates Hebrew bĕḵōrāh (בְּכֹרָה), focusing on the legal inheritance rights of the firstborn Israelite. In the New Testament (notably Hebrews 12:16), it is used in direct reference to Esau selling his birthright, with emphasis on the forfeiture of inherited privilege. Unlike the singular πρωτότοκος (firstborn [person]), πρωτοτόκια refers specifically to the abstract or collective privileges/rights. English translations often render it 'birthright,' but this can obscure the technical and legal sense of inherited status and privilege in Greek or Judean context. Its usage is linked to ancient inheritance law, and it does not always include later connotations of spiritual status. Related terms include κληρονομία (inheritance) and δικαίωμα (legal right), but πρωτοτόκια is specific to the context of the firstborn's entitlement.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from πρωτότοκος; primogeniture (as a privilege):--birthright.
Root Family
πρωτοτόκια (prōtotokia) — firstborn, rights, privilege
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4415-01 |
πρωτοτόκια | prototokia | N ACC N PL |
birthright | firstborn rights | firstborn rights | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4415-01 |
Hebrews 12:16 | πρωτοτόκια | prototokia | N ACC N PL |
birthright | firstborn rights | firstborn rights |