πρωτότοκος
prōtótokos
G4416 substantive adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Having been born first; firstborn. Primarily denotes the one born first in a family (chronologically), but may also refer more generally to one who holds the highest rank or special status among siblings or within a group. In figurative contexts, it can designate a position of preeminence, priority, or distinguished status, not necessarily tied to birth order.
Semantic Range
firstborn child, one born first in family, child with right of primogeniture, one given preeminent status or rank among others, metaphor for preeminence or high status, the first of a category (e.g., among the dead)
Root / Etymology
From πρῶτος (first) and τίκτω (to beget, bear, bring forth), forming a compound literally meaning 'first to be born.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical and Hellenistic Greek, πρωτότοκος refers straightforwardly to the child born first in a family. In Septuagint and New Testament contexts, it also acquired legal and cultic connotations: the firstborn son was traditionally accorded special inheritance rights and ceremonial responsibilities (see LXX Exodus 13:2, Deuteronomy 21:17). By the Hellenistic period, the word could be used metaphorically for preeminence or precedence; for example, it might refer to a person or group enjoying favored status (as in Colossians 1:15, where the term is applied figuratively to the Messiah). The usage differs from that of μονογενής, which focuses on 'only-begotten' or unique offspring, while πρωτότοκος is strictly about being the first in birth or rank among others. English Bible translations often obscure the range by translating as 'firstborn' even when figurative or legal connotations are present. Later theological tradition sometimes reads ontological uniqueness into πρωτότοκος, but this is not inherent to the lexical meaning in the Koine period.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from πρῶτος and the alternate of τίκτω; first-born (usually as noun, literally or figuratively):--firstbegotten(-born).
Root Family
πρωτότοκος (prōtotokos) — first, birth, to bear
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4416-02 |
πρωτότοκον | prototokon | ADJ.R ACC M SG |
firstborn | firstborn (masculine singular accusative) | 4 |
G4416-03 |
πρωτότοκος | prototokos | ADJ.S NOM M SG |
firstborn | firstborn | 3 |
G4416-01 |
πρωτότοκα | prototoka | ADJ.S ACC N PL |
firstborn ones | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
8 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4416-02 |
Luke 2:7 | πρωτότοκον | prototokon | ADJ.R ACC M SG |
firstborn | firstborn (masculine singular accusative) |
G4416-02 |
Romans 8:29 | πρωτότοκον | prototokon | ADJ.P ACC M SG |
firstborn (masculine singular accusative) | |
G4416-03 |
Colossians 1:15 | πρωτότοκος | prototokos | ADJ.S NOM M SG |
firstborn | firstborn |
G4416-03 |
Colossians 1:18 | πρωτότοκος | prototokos | ADJ.S NOM M SG |
firstborn | firstborn |
G4416-02 |
Hebrews 1:6 | πρωτότοκον | prototokon | ADJ.S ACC M SG |
firstborn (masculine singular accusative) | |
G4416-01 |
Hebrews 11:28 | πρωτότοκα | prototoka | ADJ.S ACC N PL |
firstborn ones | |
G4416-02 |
Hebrews 12:23 | πρωτοτόκων | prototokon | ADJ.S GEN M PL |
firstborn | firstborn (masculine singular accusative) |
G4416-03 |
Revelation 1:5 | πρωτότοκος | prototokos | ADJ.S NOM M SG |
firstborn |